NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
S. B. No.
)
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SENATE
259.4
. T) 
iT'
! r//(JDIfit'- nt (!;r nTl.u';'
24 mar-6 P8 :06
(In substitution of Senate Bill No. 2215, taking into consideration House Bill
Nos. 8257)
Prepared by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights and the Committee on Finance 
with Senators Padilla and Tolentino as authors thereof.
AN ACT
CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL SHARI'A JUDICIAL DISTRICTS AND 
TWELVE (12) SHARI A CIRCUIT COURTS THEREIN, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 138, 147, AND 
150 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1083, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CODE 
OF MUSLIM PERSONAL LAWS OF THE PHILIPPINES", AS AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
as assembled:
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SECTION 1. Article 138 of Presidential Decree No. 1083, otherwise known as the
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"Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines", is hereby amended to read as follows:
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Article 138. Shari'a judicial districts. - [Rve] EIGHT special Judicial districts, 
each to have one Shari'a District Court presided over by one judge, are 
constituted as follows:


The First Shah'a District shall comprise the Province of Sulu;
The Second Shari'a District, the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
The Third Shari'a District, the Province of Basilan, Zamboanga del 
Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog, 
Pagadian and Zamboanga;
The Fourth Shari'a District, the provinces of Lanao del Norte and 
Lanao del Sur, and the Cities of Iligan and Marawi; [and]
The Fifth Shari'a District, the Provinces of Maguindanao, North 
Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, and the City of Cotabato[r];
THE SIXTH SHARI'A DISTRICT, THE PROVINCES OF 
BUKIDNON, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, MISAMIS 
OCCIDENTAL, CAMIGUIN, THE CITY OF CAGAYAN DE 
ORO, AND THE PROVINCES WITHIN REGIONS XI AND 
XIII;
THE SEVENTH SHARI'A DISTRICT, THE PROVINCES 
WITHIN REGIONS VI, VII, AND VIII; AND 
THE EIGHTH SHARI A DISTRICT, NATIONAL CAPITAL 
REGION, THE PROVINCES WITHIN CORDILLERA 
ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, AND REGIONS I, II, III, IV- 
A, V, AND MIMAROPA.
21 SEC. 2. Article 147 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 is hereby amended as follows:
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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(d)
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(e)
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(f)
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(g)
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(h)
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SEC. 2. Article
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Article 1
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shall hav
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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(d)
First Shari'a District, Jolo, Sulu;
Second Shari'a District, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; 
Third Shari'a District, Zamboanga City; 
Fourth Shari'a District, Marawi City;


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(e) 
Fifth Shari'a District, Cotabato City;
(f) 
SIXTH SHARI A DISTRICT, DAVAO CITY;
(g) 
SEVENTH SHARI A DISTRICT, CEBU CITY; AND
(h) 
EIGHTH SHARI A DISTRICT, MANILA CITY.
5 SEC. 3. Article 150 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 is hereby amended as follows;
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Article 150. Where established, 
established as follows:
(1) Shari'a Circuit Courts shall be
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(a) 
Six such courts in the Province of Sulu;
(b) 
Eight in the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
(c) 
Ten in and for the Provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte 
and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog, Pagadian, and 
Zamboanga;
(d) 
Twelve in and for the Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del 
Sur and the Cities of Iligan and Marawi;
(e) 
Fifteen in and for the Province of Maguindanao, North Cotabato 
and Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabato[s];
(f) 
FIVE FOR THE PROVINCES OF BUKIDNON, MISAMIS 
ORIENTAL, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, CAMIGUIN, THE 
CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO, AND THE PROVINCES 
WITHIN REGIONS XI AND XIII, TO BE STATIONED IN 
THE CITY OF VALENCIA, CITY OF GINGOOG, CITY OF 
OZAMIS, CITY OF MAMBAJAO, AND CITY OF CAGAYAN DE 
ORO;
(g) 
THREE FOR THE PROVINCES WITHIN REGIONS VI, VII, 
AND VIII, TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF CEBU, CITY 
OF TACLOBAN, AND ILOILO CITY; AND


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(h) FOUR FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, THE 
PROVINCES WITHIN CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE 
REGION, REGIONS I, II, III, IV-A, V, AND MIMAROPA, TO 
BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF MANILA, CITY OF 
TAGUIG, CITY OF DAGUPAN, AND CITY OF PUERTO 
PRINSESA;
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(2) The territorial jurisdiction of each of the Shari'a Circuit Courts shall be fixed by the
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Supreme Court on the basis of the geographical contiguity AND ACCESSIBILITY of the
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municipalities and cities concerned and their Muslim population.
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SEC. 4. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall immediately include in the Court's
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program the operationalization of the newly created Shari'a Judicial Districts, Shari'a
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District Courts and Shari'a Circuit Courts.
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SEC. 5. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act, including appropriations
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for personnel services such as salaries, benefits and emoluments for judges and court
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personnel, court operations under maintenance and other operating expenses (MODE),
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and provisions for Halls of Justice or courtrooms to accommodate judges and court staff,
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shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
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letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
2215
11 
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r i ,y 
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23 MAY 18 P3 53
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1083, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE "CODE OF MUSLIM PERSONAL LAWS OF THE PHILIPPINES" AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 17, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall 
recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to 
preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions.
On 4 February 1977, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Decree 
(P.D.) No. 1083, otherwise known as the Code of Muslim Personal Laws, which aims 
to recognize the legal system of the Muslims in the Philippines as part of the law of 
the land and seeks to make Islamic institutions more effective, codify Muslim 
Personal laws, and provide for an effective administration and enforcement of Muslim 
personal law among Muslims.
While P.D. No. 1083 establishes the creation of Shari'a courts, the growing 
number of Muslim Filipinos and the increasing rate of migration around the country 
calls for the need to establish additional judicial districts to attend to and resolve 
disputes involving Muslim personal laws.
In fact, the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine 
Statistics Authority reveals that Muslim Filipinos now reside in various parts of the 
country. Of the total population of Muslim Filipinos, 64.3% reside in the Bangsamoro 
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), 10.1% in Region IX (Zamboanga 
Peninsula), 9.8% in Region XI (SOCCSKSARGEN), 6.1% in Region X (Northern


Mindanao), and 2,8% in Region XI (Davao Region). Outside of Mindanao, 6.4% of 
Muslim Filipinos reside in Luzon, with 2.5% in the National Capital Region (NCR), 
while 0.5% are in Visayas. As Muslim Filipinos continue to relocate across the country 
in search of better opportunities, the distribution of their population is expected to 
increase significantly in the coming years.
This measure, therefore, aims to provide Muslim Filipinos residing outside of 
existing Shari'a Judicial Districts with accessible, equitable, and speedy justice. 
Specifically, this aims to establish additional Shari'a Judicial Districts, stations for the 
district courts, and circuit courts. This is to ensure that our Muslim brothers and sisters 
across the archipelago will have better access to the specialized knowledge and 
expertise of Shari'a judges, promoting fair and equal treatment of Muslims under the 
law, regardless of their geographic location.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
OpiNHOOD PADILLA
r Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 221 S
cUiK S' ■ i'T
23 MAY 18 P3 53
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1083, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE "CODE OF MUSLIM PERSONAL LAWS OF THE PHILIPPINES" AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Article 138 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 is hereby amended as
follows:
Article 138. Shari'a judicial districts. — [Fwe] EIGHT special judicial 
districts, each to have one Shari'a District Court presided over by one 
judge, are constituted as follows:
(a) The First Shari'a District shall comprise the Province of Sulu;
(b) The Second Shari'a District, the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
(c) The Third Shari'a District, the Province of Basiian, Zamboanga 
del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog, 
Pagadian and Zamboanga;
(d) The Fourth Shari'a District, the provinces of Lanao del Norte 
and Lanao del Sur, and the Cities of Iligan and Marawi; [af»d]
(e) The Fifth Shari'a District, the Provinces of Maguindanao, 
North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, and the City of 
Cotabato[T];
(f) THE SIXTH SHARI'A DISTRICT, THE PROVINCES OF 
BUKIDNON, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, MISAMIS
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OCCIDENTAL, CAMIGUIN, THE CITY OF CAGAYAN DE 
ORO, AND THE PROVINCES WITHIN REGIONS XI AND 
XIII;
(g) THE SEVENTH SHARI A DISTRICT, THE PROVINCES 
WITHIN REGIONS VI, VII, VIII AND MIMAROPA; AND
(h) THE EIGHTH SHARI'A DISTRICT, THE PROVINCES 
WITHIN NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, CORDILLERA 
ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, REGIONS I, II, III, IV-A, 
AND V.
Sec. 2. Article 147 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 is hereby amended as
follows:
Article 147. Permanent stations; offices. — (1) The Shari'a District 
Courts shall have their respective permanent stations in the following 
places:
(a) First Shari'a District, Jolo, Sulu;
(b) Second Shari'a District, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi;
(c) Third Shari'a District, Zamboanga City;
(d) Fourth Shari'a District, Marawi City;
(e) Fifth Shari'a District, Cotabato City;
(f) SIXTH SHARI'A DISTRICT, DAVAO CITY;
(g) SEVENTH SHARI'A DISTRICT, CEBU CITY; AND
(h) EIGHTH SHARI'A DISTRICT, MANILA CITY.
(2) The Shari'a District Courts may hold sessions anywhere within 
their respective districts.
(3) The provinces, cities or municipalities concerned shall provide 
such courts with adequate court office, supplies and equipment in 
accordance with the provisions of the Judiciary Law.
Sec. 3. Article 150 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 is hereby amended as
follows:
Article 150. Where established. — (1) Shari'a Circuit Courts shall be 
established as follows:
(a) Six such courts in the Province of Sulu;


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(b) Eight in the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
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(c) Ten in and for the Provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del
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Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog,
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Pagadian, and Zamboanga;
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(d) Twelve in and for the Provinces of Lanao del Norte and
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Lanao del Sur and the Cities of Iligan and Marawi;
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(e) Fifteen in and for the Province of Maguindanao, North
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Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabatofr];
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(f) FIVE IN AND FOR THE PROVINCES OF BUKIDNON,
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MISAMIS ORIENTAL, 
MISAMIS 
OCCIDENTAL,
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CAMIGUIN, THE CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO, AND
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THE PROVINCES WITHIN REGIONS XI AND XIII;
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(g) TWO IN AND FOR THE PROVINCES WITHIN
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REGIONS VI, VII, VIII AND MIMAROPA;
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(h) FOUR IN AND FOR THE PROVINCES WITHIN
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NATIONAL CAPITAL 
REGION, 
CORDILLERA
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ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, REGIONS I, II, III, IV-
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A, ANDV.
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(2) The territorial jurisdiction of each of the Shari'a Circuit Courts
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shall be fixed by the Supreme Court on the basis of the geographical
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contiguity of the municipalities and cities concerned and their Muslim
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population.
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Sec. 4. Appropriations. — The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall
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immediately include in the Court's program the implementation of this Act, The funds
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necessary for the operation of the courts herein created shall be appropriated and
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released only upon the actual organization of the courts and the appointment of its
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personnel.
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Sec. 5. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.


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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, ietter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
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Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shali take effect after fifteen (15) days
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foliowing its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,


Congress of the Piulippjnes 
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
}
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. No. 8257
BY Representatives Dimaporo (M.K.), Ferrer (J.M.), Co (E.), Quimbo, Mendoza, Libanan, Albano, 
DELOS Santos, Garin, Gon2alez, Pai-ma, Primicias-Agabas, Teves (J.), Alvarez (M.), Aj.varez (J.), 
Aquino, Bautista-Lim, Bernos, Bongalon, Cabkedo, Cajayon-Uy, Caki, Co (A.N.), Cua, 
CUARESMA, DEI. MAE, DUJALl, FUENTEBELTA, LARA, LIMKAICHONG, LOYOLA, NaVA, SALIMBANGON, 
SiNGSON (R.V.), Tjangco, Umali, Vargas-Alfonso, Yap (Eric), Ytj (D.G.), Zamora (M.C.), Zuuiri, 
Abalos, Almario, Amante, Ano, Atayde, Rascug, Bosita, Bustos, Cardema, CHArro, 
Chungalao, Co-Piur, Cruz (A.), Cruz (R.), Dagooc, dimaporo (S.A.), Dionisio, dy (F.M.C.), 
Eudela, Fortes, Fiuiisnedi, Garcia (D.), Gaudiola, Go (M.), Goi.ez, Gutieigiez, Hernandez, 
KuoNGHUN, Lagon (d.), Laoon (S.), Lazatin, Macrda, Mangaoang, Mantqutz, Matibag, Mercado, 
Nograles (M.), Ouano-Dizon, Panaligan, Pancho, Plaza, Pleyto, Rbvtlla (R.J.), Rodriguez (E.), 
Sau, Santos, Tan (J.), Tulpo (J.), Unabia, Vargas, Vergara, Verzosa, Yap (C.), Bulut-Bbgtang, 
Dalog, Gasataya, Gomez, Marakon, Romulo, Salo, Teves (A.), Villa, Villapuerte (L.R.), Yulo 
and Zamora (Y.M.), per Committee Report No. 571
AN ACT
CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL SHARI’A JUDICIAL DISTRICTS COMPRISING 
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION AND THE CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION, 
CREATING SHARFA DISTRICT COURTS AND SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURTS 
THEREIN, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE ARTICLES 138, 147, AND 150 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1083, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CODE OF MUSLIM PERSONAL LAWS OF THE 
PHILIPPINES”, AS AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:


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SECTION 1. Article 138 of Presidential Decree No. 1083, otherwise known as the 
“Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines”, is hereby amended to read as follows:
“ARTICLE 138. Shari’a judicial districts, - [Five] SEVEN special Judicial 
districts, each to have one Shari’a District Court presided over by one judge, 
are constituted as follows:
(a) The First Shari’a District shall comprise the Province of Sulu;
(b) The Second Shari’a District, the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
(c) The Third Shari’a District, the Prevwee provinces of Basilan, 
Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities cities of 
Dipolog, Pagadian and Zamboanga;
(d) The Fourth Shari’a District, the provinces of Lanao del Norte and 
Lanao del Sur, and the Cities cities of Iligan and Marawi; [and]
(e) The Fifth Shari’a District, the f¥ev4ne-es provinces of Maguindanao,
North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, and the City of Cotabato[.] ;
(F) THE SIXTH SHARI’A DISTRICT, THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 
REGION; AND
(G) THE SEVENTH SHARI’A DISTRICT, THE CENTRAL VISAYAS 
REGION,”
SEC. 2. Article 147 of the same law is hereby amended to read as follows:
“ARTICLE 147. Permanent stations; offices. - (1) The Shari’a District 
Courts shall have their respective permanent stations in the following 
places:
(a) First Shari’a District, Jolo, Sulu;
(b) Second Shari’a District, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi;
(c) Third Shari’a District, Zamboanga City;
(d) Fourth Shari’a District, Marawi City;
(e) Fifth Shari’a District, Cotabato City;
(F) SIXTH SHARl’A DISTRICT, THE CITY OF MANILA; AND
(G) SEVENTH SHARI’A DISTRICT, THE CITY OF CEBU.
(2) The Shari’a District Courts may hold sessions anywhere within their 
respective districts.
(3) The provinces, cities or municipalities concerned shall provide such 
courts with adequate court office, supplies and equipment in accordance 
with the provisions of the Judiciary Law.”


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SEC. 3. Article 150 of the same law is hereby amended to read as follows:
“ARTICLE 150. Where established. - (1) Shari’a Circuit Courts shall be 
established as follows;
(a) Six such courts in the Province of Sulu;
(b) Eight in the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
(c) Ten in and for the Provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte 
and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog, Pagadian, and 
Zamboanga;
(d) Twelve in and for the Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao 
del Sur and the Cities of Iligan and Marawi;
(e) Fifteen in and for the Province of Maguindanao, North Cotabato 
and Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabato[.] ;
(F) FOUR IN AND FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, TO 
BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF MANILA, CITY OF SAN JUAN,
CITY OF TAGUIG, AND QUEZON CITY; AND
(6) THREE IN AND FOR THE CENTRAL VISAYAS REGION, TO 
BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF MANDAUE, CITY OF LAPU- 
LAPU, AND CITY OF TALISAY, PROVINCE OF CEBU.
(2) The territorial jurisdiction of each of the Shari’a Circuit Courts shall 
be fixed by the Supreme Court on the basis of geographical contiguity of 
the municipalities and cities concerned and their Muslim population.”
SEC. 4. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall immediately include in the 
Court’s program the operationalization of the newly created Shari’a Judicial Districts, 
Shari’a District Courts and Shari’a Circuit Courts.
SEC. 5. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act, including 
appropriations for personnel services such as salaries, benefits and emoluments for 
judges and court personnel, court operations under maintenance and other operating 
expenses (MOOE), and provisions for Halls of Justice or courtrooms to accommodate 
judges and court staff, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 6. Articles 138, 147 and 150 of Presidential Decree No. 1083, otherwise known 
as the “Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines”, as amended, and all other 
laws, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, 
repealed or modified accordingly,
SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,