NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
ot tl)c -'tarj*
23 SEP 26 P6-41
SENATE
S. No. 2452
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
11 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 Arab^."
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 opening Hajj travel 
arrangements to private entities, 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 travel 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.
RQBlNHOOD PADILLA
Senator


Senate
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
o( tlje &f;retarp
23 SEP 26 P6-42
SENATE
S. No. 2452
■. J •
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
2023".
AN ACT
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. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as "The NCMF Reform Act of
Sec. 2. 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 oil programs, projects and activities, formulate the
necessary rules and regulations, and coordinate with portinont
offices to ensure the success of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage)-^
Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;]
[ (r) Promote the development of a Hajj Assistance Fund that shall
be created from contributions of Muslim Filipinos and other donors
which shall bo used to support the financial needs of deserving
Muslim Filipinos fntondtng to participate in the annual Hajj;]
XXX


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Sec. 3. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9997 is hereby amended as follows: 
SEC. 11. Bureaus.— IhQ 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 [PilgrimogG and] Endowment, 
Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the Bureau of Legal 
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 Burcou shaH 
be primarily responsible for the odministrotion 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
supervision of the conduct of pilgrimage activities: Provided, That
the supervision accorded the Bureau under this section shall not
include control.]
[Pursuant to the above responsibilities, the Bureau shall
formulate-the-necessary guidelines to ensure the timely
processing of the pilgrim's travel documents and the equitable
and reasonable collection of fees. Such collection shall be limited
to mutawiff and passporting and/or processing fees only.
Collected fees shall 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 ond regulations?]
[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, That pilgrims comply with the prescribed


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orrivol and doporturc schodulG fixed by the Ministry of Hajjof the
Kingdom of Sattdi-Afabio! Provided, further, That all pilgrima sholl
be IcgitimotG -holders of roundtrip tickets to ond from the
Kingdom of Soudi Arabia! Provided, furtiicrmorc, That the
pilgrims shall be free to choose on where to purchase or oequife
other logistics, materials and supplies for the pilgrimage.]
[In no instance shall the pilgrims be forced to purchose sueh
logistics, materiols and supplies from the Commission or its
authorized ogents-or representatives.]
[The Bureau sholl also accredit qualified ond deserving sheikhs.
It sholl also formulate, subject to the approval of the Commission,
the timetable of annual M^'oetivities which must be posted in aH
areas accessible to Muslim Filipinos.]
[The] THIS Bureau shall [Hkewise] be responsible for the 
administration of awqaf properties and institutions, and the 
conduct of research and studies for the establishment and 
maintenance of towns, Islamic centers and awqaf
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 MAKKAH, SAUDI ARABIA.
Sec. 4. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 9997 is hereby amended as follows: 
SEC. 15. Hajj Attache. — The President shall appoint a Hajj 
Attache from among the three (3) recommendees of 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 [att] matters pertaining to the conduct of the annual


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Hajj WHERE GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT ACTION IS
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NECESSARY INCLUDING CERTIFICATION AS TO CHANGE
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OF PILGRIM'S NAME, BUT NOT TO INTERVENE IN THE
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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. He/She shall hold office
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in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and shall enjoy the same rank,
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salary, and privileges as those of Attache of the national
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government.
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Sec. 5. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 9997 is hereby deleted.
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Sec. 6. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is deciared
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unconstitutionai, 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
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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. 8. 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,