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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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)
)
SENATE
S. No. 604
2t) JUL 15 All :ll
RtCtiVcD
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE I SECTION 5 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS ACT OF 
2009"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act 9997, the law that created the National Commission on Muslim 
Filipinos was passed in 2009 in order to ensure that there is a government body that 
preserves and develops the culture, tradition, institutions, and well-being of Muslim 
Filipinos, in conformity with the country's laws and in consonance with national unity 
and development.
Section 5 of said law specifically mentioned that the Commission shall be 
composed of nine (9) full-time members who are Muslim Filipinos, with one 
Commissioner coming from the women, youth, and Ulama sectors.
To strengthen the NCMF's inclusivity and ensure broader representation, this 
bill proposes an amendment to include one Commissioner from the Balik-Islam 
community. This term, "Balik-Islam", is from a Filipino word "balik," meaning "return". 
This is a collective term used to refer to individuals who have returned to Islam, the 
one they consider as the original religion of mankind.
A comprehensive study conducted by the University of the Philippines Center 
for Integrative and Development Studies in 2023 has highlighted the various 
challenges faced by the Balik-Islam community, which can range from personal, 
familial, and community-related concerns.


To ensure that the voices of the Balik-Islam are represented within the NCMF, 
this measure seeks to amend Section 5 of RA 9997 to include one Commissioner from 
the Balik-Islam community.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
ROBI
PADILLA
fenator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 604
25 JUL 15 All :12
RFCEiVtD a.
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE I SECTION 5 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS ACT OF 
2009"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Article I Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9997 is hereby amended to 
read as follows:
"Sec. 5. Composition of the Commission. - The Commission shall be composed 
of nine (9) full-time members who are Muslim Filipinos and shall be headed by 
a Secretary: Provided, That one (1) of the Commissioners shall come from the 
women sector, one (1) from the youth sector, [and] another Commissioner 
shall come from the Ulama sector, AND ONE (1) FROM THE BALIK-ISLAM: 
Provided, further, That not more than two (2) Commissioners shall come from 
the same Muslim Filipino tribe at any given time, to ensure a more equitable 
representation in the Commission. The President shall appoint the regular 
members of the Commission. The Commissioners shall be academic degree 
holders and must speak and write fluently the English and/or Arabic languages. 
They shall be individuals who possess the highest degree of integrity and have 
the endorsement of their respective tribes or sectors.
X X X."


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Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in
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fuli force and effect.
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Sed. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, and rules and
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regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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4 repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approved,