o'i
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No.
25 JUL 15 All -22
o J.5
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
MANDATING ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS TO OBSERVE, RESPECT 
AND ACCOMMODATE THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, PRACTICES, AND CUSTOMS 
OF MUSLIM PATIENTS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The free exercise of religion, without discrimination or preference, is enshrined 
in no less than the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. In the Philippines, 2020 
Philippine Statistics Authority data shows that there are ten (10) religions that most 
Filipinos are affiliated with. 78.8% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, the most 
predominant religion in the country, followed by 6.4% who are Muslim.
Islam, as a religion and way of life, has distinct beliefs and customs with regard 
to dietary requirements, clothing, prayer, gender interaction, modesty, and even death 
- factors that significantly affect their healthcare needs. As such, this bill seeks to 
guide healthcare institutions in adopting protocols that ensure religious and cultural 
sensitivity, and respectful treatment of Muslim patients.
This representation hopes that this measure can pave the way for healthcare 
institutions to ensure responsive, humane, and respectful consideration of the diverse 
cultural and religious needs of our citizens as the lack of awareness or institutional 
mechanisms to accommodate these considerations lead to discrimination, distress, 
and denial of culturally appropriate care.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
fOOD PADILLA
Senator J


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■.■."I.-.- O'. 1 
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S. No.
25 JUL 15 AH :22
RECEi
615
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
MANDATING ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS TO OBSERVE, RESPECT 
AND ACCOMMODATE THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, PRACTICES, AND CUSTOMS 
OF MUSLIM PATIENTS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES 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. Tide. — This Act shall be known as the "Muslim Patient Rights in
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Healthcare Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the religious diversity of
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the Filipino people and the constitutional right to free exercise of religion. To this end
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and in keeping with the mandate to respect and protect the dignity, culture, and beliefs
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of the Muslim Filipinos, the State shall ensure that healthcare delivery in all public and
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private hospitals includes respectful accommodation of Islamic religious practices and
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sensitivities.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the following terms 
10 shall be defined as:
a. Muslim patient - refers to any individual who identifies as a follower of 
Islam and adheres to its religious beliefs and practices;
b. Islamic Religious Practices - refers to customs and obligations observed 
by Muslims, including but not limited to: prayers, modesty requirements.


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halal dietary rules, fasting (e.g., during Ramadan), and Islamic burial 
rites; and
c. Culturally and Religiously Appropriate Care - refers to medical care 
delivered with due regard to the religious and cultural values of Muslim 
patients, without compromising medical safety or public health 
standards.
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Sec. 4. Mandatory Religious and Cultural Accommodation. — All hospitals and
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healthcare providers shall, observe, respect and accommodate the following practices
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for Muslim patients:
a. Halal meals - provision of halal food or the option to bring halal meals 
from outside sources;
b. Prayer time and facilities - respect obligatory prayers (salah) and 
provision of a quiet and clean prayer area when possible;
c. Gender-sensitive care - assignment of same-gender healthcare 
professionals for physical examinations, treatments, or intimate care, 
unless in cases of emergency or when not medically feasible;
d. Modesty in care - use of appropriate draping and preservation of bodily 
privacy in line with Islamic modesty standards;
e. Respect for fasting - reasonable adjustments in the scheduling of 
medication or procedures during period of fasting, when medically 
permissible; and
f. Islamic End-of-Life Rites - recognition of Muslim burial customs including 
immediate release of remains within twenty-four (24) hours, facilitation 
of janazahox funeral prayer, and coordination with family and religious 
authorities, in accordance with Republic Act No. 12160 or the Philippine 
Islamic Burial Act: Provided, That these accommodations shall not 
jeopardize the health or safety of the patient or others in cases when 
there is an urgent and overriding medical emergency: Provided, further.


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That these accommodations do not conflict with existing laws or ethical 
standards.
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Sec. 5. Hospital Protocols and Capacity-building. — All hospitals and healthcare
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providers shall:
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a. Include Islamic cultural and religious sensitivity in staff training
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programs;
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b. Designate a Muslim Patient focal person, in coordination and cooperation
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with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF); and
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c. Establish internal protocols aligned with this Act, without violating public
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health and hospital safety policies.
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Sec. 6. Monitoring and Evaluation of Compiiance. — The Department of Health
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(DOH), in consultation with NCMF, shall monitor and evaluate the compliance of
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hospitals and healthcare institutions through periodic assessments.
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Sec. 7. Penaities. — Any hospital or healthcare institution violating the
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provisions of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one (1)
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month, but not more than six (6) months, or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand
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pesos (P50,000.00), but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00),
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or both, at the discretion of the court.
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Sec. 8. Impiementing Rules and Regulations — Within one hundred twenty
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(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH and NCMF shall promulgate the
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necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. — If any part, section or provision of this Act is
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, the sections or provisions which are not affected
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shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations,
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other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,