The Code of Muslim Personal Laws (CMPL), established in 1977, governs personal and family matters for Muslims in the Philippines, such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, based on Islamic principles. However, with changing times, there’s a need to modernize these laws to better serve the Muslim community such as Maranao people, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakan, Sama and other Muslim tribes in the Philippines including the revert Muslims.

Senator Robin Padilla has proposed Republic Act No. 12018 (RA 12018) to update and strengthen the Sharia Judicial Districts, CMPL signed.

The Code of Muslim Personal Laws in the Philippines

Here’s what the act aims to do:

1. Protect Women’s Rights

RA 12018 focuses on improving the rights of Muslim women, especially in divorce, inheritance, and child custody cases.

2. Standardize Practices

The act seeks to ensure that procedures under the CMPL, like marriage and divorce, are consistent and fair across the board.

3. Strengthen Sharia Courts

The proposal includes increasing the number of Sharia courts and improving the training of judges to better handle cases related to Muslim personal laws.

4. Align with Human Rights

RA 12018 aims to harmonize Islamic law with international human rights standards, particularly concerning gender equality and children’s rights.

Senator Padilla’s initiative is a step toward ensuring that the legal system for Filipino Muslims remains relevant and just, respecting their religious beliefs while protecting their rights. If passed, RA 12018 will help modernize the CMPL, making it more responsive to the needs of today’s Muslim community in the Philippines.