TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE
S. No. 5f)9
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25 JUL 15 All :07
RHCEIVcOBY
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES TO MUSLIM FILIPINO PILGRIMS 
THROUGH THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE ANNUAL HAJJ PILGRIMAGE, 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009", AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On 18 February 2010, Republic Act No. 9997 (R.A. No. 9997), otherwise known 
as the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Act of 2009, was enacted to 
preserve and develop 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.
Under Section 8 (q) of R.A. No. 9997, the NCMF is mandated to "administer all 
programs, projects and activities, formulate the necessary rules and regulations, and 
coordinate with pertinent offices to ensure the success of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage) 
to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is performed at least once in the lifetime 
of a Muslim who is physically and economically able to sustain the journey. Attended 
by millions of Muslims from different walks of life all over the world every year, it is a 
momentous spiritual gathering intended to call forth greater humility and unity among 
Muslims by virtue of their bond in faith and complete submission to Allah.
The necessity to ensure an efficient, organized, and safe Hajj journey for 
Muslim Filipinos is urgently called for. This bill proposes the opening of Hajj travel


arrangements to private entities, subject to effective monitoring by the NCMF, thereby 
fostering a competitive market to the advantage of our traveler pilgrims. As a result, 
travel service providers will continuously endeavor to improve the quality of Hajj 
services, offer a wide range of flexible travel packages within the average market price 
range, and reinforce innovative and enhanced strategies in Hajj operations.
This measure seeks to relieve the NCMF of the intricate operations associated 
with the annual Hajj by shifting the duty to accredited service providers equipped with 
comprehensive expertise and a workforce of trained travel professionals, ensuring an 
efficient and successful pilgrimage experience for all Muslim Filipino pilgrims.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
D PADILLA
Senator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No.
i- 
t’-L'
if-)!?':- 01 li'C ?:?T.Ttrr"
25 JUL 15 All :07
Rl'CEiVCD BY
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES TO MUSLIM FILIPINO PILGRIMS 
THROUGH THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE ANNUAL HAJJ PILGRIMAGE, 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009", AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9997 is hereby amended as follows; 
"SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. — To accomplish its mandate, 
the Commission shall have the following powers and functions;
XXX
[(q) Administer all programs, projects and activities, formulate
the ncccGGary rules and regulations, and coordinate with
pertinent offices to cnsuro the gucccsg of the-annual-Hajj
(pilgrimage) to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;]
XXX "
Sec. 2 Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows;
"SEC. 11. Bureaus. — The Bureaus of the Commission shall 
consist of the Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs, Bureau of 
Muslim Cultural Affairs, Bureau of Muslim Settlement, Bureau of 
External Relations, Bureau of [Pilgrimage and] Endowment,
Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the Bureau of Legal


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Affairs. Each of these Bureaus shall be headed by a Director who 
shall hold the same rank, salary, and privileges of a Staff Bureau 
Director.
"The Bureau Director shall be appointed by the President from 
among the names or nominees submitted by the Commission to 
the President.
XXX
(e) Bureau of [Pilgrimage and] Endowment. —[This Bureau shall 
be primarily-responsible-fot^the-administration of the annual
Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the
formulation and implementation of programs, projects and
activities for the efficient and effective administration and
suporvision-ef-tde-eenduet-of-pilgrimage-aetivtties^/?/r>i//iJlc,<s^That
the supervision accorded the Bureau-under this-section-shall-net
include control:]
"[Pursuant to the above responsibilities, the Bureau shall
formulate the necessary guidelines to ensure processing of the
pilgrim's travel documentsr-and the equitable-and reasonable
collection of fees. Such collection shall be limited to mutowiffm^
passporting and/or processing fees only. Collected fees shaH-be
deposited in a special trust-fund which shall be established-by-the
Commission, the expenses-from which shall be subject to existing
auditing laws, rules-and-r-egulattens-.]
"The pilgrims shall be accorded free choice of travel agencies and
airlines or- other means of transportation to and from the site of
pilgrimage: Provided, Jhut pilgrims comply with the prescribed
arrival and departure schedule fixed by the41fnt5try-of-/y<7Jy'of-the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Provided, further, That all . pilgrims
shall be legitimate holders of roundtrip tickets to and from the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Provided, -furthermore/- That ■ the
pilgrims-shall be free to chooseen where to purchase or acquire
other- logistiesT-frvaterials-and-supplies for the pilgrimage.]


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"[In no inGtanc-e-shall the pilgrims bo forced to purchase such
logiGticsr materials ond Gupplios from the CommiG5ion--or its
authorized agents or representatives.]
"[The Bureau shall also accredit qualified and deserving sheikhs.
It shall also formulate, subject to the approval of the Commission,
the timetable ef annual activities which must bo posted in all
areas accessible to Muslim Filipinos.]
[The] THIS Bureau shall [likewise] be responsible for the 
administration of awqaf properties and institutions, and the 
conduct of research and studies for the establishment and 
maintenance of Hajj\£N^ws, Islamic centers and <7M47<3/cprojects.
XXX
THE NCMF SHALL NO LONGER PERFORM ANY POWERS 
AND FUNCTIONS RELATIVE TO THE ADMINISTRATION 
OF HAJJ EXCEPT TO REGISTER AND ACCREDIT SHEIKHS, 
WHO ARE PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES 
ENGAGED IN FACILITATING, PROCESSING, AND 
PROVIDING GUIDANCE FOR THE ANNUAL HAJJ FOR 
MUSLIM FILIPINOS IN MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA.
Sec. 3. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 15. Hajj Attache. — The President shall appoint a Hajj 
Attache from among the three (3) recommendees JOINTLY 
ENDORSED BY THE NCMF, BARMM, AND DOT [ef-the 
Commission] within fifteen (15) days from the submission of such 
recommendees [by the Commission]. The Hajj Attache shall 
coordinate with the Ministry of Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia on [aH] matters pertaining to the conduct of the annual 
Hajj WHERE GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT ACTION IS 
NECESSARY INCLUDING CERTIFICATION AS TO CHANGE 
OF PILGRIM'S NAME, BUT NOT TO INTERVENE IN THE 
ADMINISTRATION, CONDUCT, FACILITATION OR


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PROCESSING OF HAJJ FOR MUSLIM FILIPINOS. He/She
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shall be an academic degree holder and must be able to write
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and speak [fluently] the Arabic language FLUENTLY. He/She
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shall hold office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and shall enjoy
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the same rank, salary, and privileges as those of Attache of the
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national government."
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Sec. 4. 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. 5. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter 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. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
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following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,