(Photo by PNA)
MANILA – The Senate on Thursday adopted the House-approved bill granting the Balik-Islam community representation in the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), bringing both chambers in line on a measure aimed at giving Muslim converts and reverts a direct voice in the commission.
Upon the motion of Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, the chamber adopted House Bill No. 9597 as an amendment to Senate Bill No. 604, which was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Robin Padilla.
House Bill 9597 was approved on third and final reading on Aug. 25 and was principally authored by Reps. Bai Dimple Mastura, Esmael Mangudadatu, Ustadz Yusop Alano and Dadah Kiram Ismula.
Padilla, who is himself a Balik-Islam, said Filipino converts and reverts to Islam often face challenges different from those experienced by members of established Muslim communities, including difficulty gaining acceptance from relatives and limited support after embracing the faith.
He said representation in the NCMF would help ensure that their concerns are directly brought to the government.
Padilla had also previously raised concerns about the community’s vulnerability to misleading religious teachings and the family and social adjustments that may accompany conversion.
Under Republic Act No. 9997, the NCMF is composed of nine full-time Muslim Filipino commissioners, including representatives from the women, youth and Ulama sectors.
The proposed amendment would provide a seat for the Balik-Islam community while retaining the commission’s nine-member composition.
Sen. Joel Villanueva said the measure recognizes the difficulties encountered by Filipinos who change their religious affiliation, whether from Christianity to Islam or vice versa.
“There are challenges, real challenges and real problems that they are encountering,” Villanueva said, stressing the importance of mutual respect among Filipinos of different faiths.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said religious belief should not be a basis for unequal treatment.
“Lahat tayo ay pantay-pantay na Pilipino,” Gatchalian said.
Zubiri, meanwhile, cited communities in Mindanao where Muslims and Christians have long lived together as examples of peaceful coexistence despite religious differences.
“We can live together with one another,” he said.
Zubiri, who was also a principal author and sponsor of the original NCMF law, said the measure forms part of continuing efforts to strengthen Muslim representation in government institutions.
