Creation and Coverage
- Establishes National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (Commission) under the Office of the President
- Abolishes Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA)
- Covers local and national affairs involving Muslim Filipinos
- Implements economic, educational, cultural, and infrastructure programs
Mandate
- Preserve and develop culture, tradition, institutions, and well-being of Muslim Filipinos
- Aligns with national laws, unity, and development
Composition and Appointment
- Nine full-time Muslim Filipino members headed by a Secretary
- Members include representatives from women, youth, Ulama sectors
- Restriction: max two members from same tribe for equitable representation
- Commissioners must be degree holders and fluent in English and/or Arabic
- Must have integrity and endorsement from respective sectors
- No representatives allowed
- Optional Council of Advisers for cultural, religious, traditional, tribal leaders
Terms and Removal
- Secretary (Chief Executive Officer) appointed by President from among Commissioners, serves 2 years
- Initial terms: five members 4 years, four members 2 years; thereafter 4 years term
- President appoints successors if vacancies, from respective tribe
- Removal for cause by President after due process
Powers and Functions
- Advise President on policies affecting Muslim Filipinos
- Coordinate and implement development programs
- Serve as primary agency for government assistance to Muslim Filipinos
- Participate in peace processes and represent government in negotiations
- Enter contracts as necessary
- Promote trade, commerce, Islamic business and finance
- Recommend budget allocations for Muslim Filipino development
- Develop and accredit Philippine Halal Industry
- Allocate resources for education, economy, culture
- Monitor and evaluate government programs
- Acquire, manage, and dispose of properties for Muslim Filipino benefit
- Accept and administer grants, donations
- Conduct ethnographic research and maintain cultural institutions
- Certify Muslim Filipino community membership
- Provide legal and technical support for ancestral land issues
- Assist census activities related to Muslim Filipinos
- Administer programs for annual Hajj pilgrimage
- Establish Hajj Assistance Fund
- Manage awqaf (Islamic endowment) properties following Shari'ah
- Develop and supervise Madrasah education system nationwide, except ARMM
- Ensure Madrasah curriculum aligns with national standards
- Provide scholarships and promote technology transfer
- Formulate rules to implement this Act
Administrative Supervision
- Administrative control except for Commissioners vested in Secretary
- Secretary handles personnel appointments and disciplinary actions (with Commission approval for dismissals)
- Commissioners assist Secretary and may be delegated responsibilities
Organizational Structure
- Offices of Secretary, Commissioners, Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director
- Bureaus include Muslim Economic Affairs, Cultural Affairs, Settlement, External Relations, Pilgrimage and Endowment, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Legal Affairs
- Services include Administrative, Finance and Management, and Planning
- Regional, Field, and Sub-Offices authorized for outreach and program implementation
Bureau Functions
- Muslim Economic Affairs: promote livelihood, cooperatives, training
- Muslim Cultural Affairs: conduct cultural research, improve literacy, oversee Madrasah, manage library and museum, manage Qu'ran competition
- Muslim Settlement: promote settlements development
- External Relations: liaise local and international Muslim Filipino groups, public information
- Pilgrimage and Endowment: manage Hajj activities and funding, accredit sheikhs, administer awqaf
- Peace and Conflict Resolution: manage peace efforts and conflict settlements
- Legal Affairs: provide legal education, assistance, investigate complaints, act as legal counsel
Services Functions
- Administrative: personnel, records, supplies, security
- Finance and Management: budget, finance, management advice
- Planning: planning, monitoring, evaluation
Secretariat
- Technical arm headed by Executive Director appointed by President
- Manage daily operations, staffing, budget recommendations
- Executive Director enjoys security of tenure
Hajj Attaché and Amirul Hajj
- Hajj Attaché appointed by President, stationed in Saudi Arabia, coordinates pilgrimage matters
- Amirul Hajj is the Secretary of the Commission, head of pilgrims
Legal Recognition of Muslim Names
- Commission authenticates pilgrim's Muslim names issued by Saudi Ministry of Hajj
- Authentic certification is valid for all legal purposes
Appropriations
- Initial budget charged to OMA's appropriations
- Additional Php 100 million appropriated for expanded functions
- Continued funding included in General Appropriations Act
Record Keeping and Auditing
- Commission to maintain proper accounts and records
- Subject to Commission on Audit
Employee Rights and Benefits
- Coverage under Civil Service Law for employment terms
- GSIS membership and benefits
Transitory Provisions
- OMA abolished; assets and functions transferred to Commission
- Incumbent OMA Executive Director may serve as Acting Secretary pending appointment
- OMA employees absorbed or transferred if qualified; safeguards on seniority and salaries
- Layoffs allowed only for valid cause with due process
- Separation pay and retirement benefits provided
- Prohibition on reemployment within 3 years after separation
- Secretary to submit organizational and operational plans within 90 days
Performance Evaluation
- Secretary to establish system for periodic performance evaluation
- Reports submitted annually to President and Congress
Implementing Rules
- Rules to be issued by Commission and Department of Budget and Management within 90 days
Legal Provisions
- Separability clause ensures remainder of law remains effective if parts invalidated
- Repeals prior orders inconsistent with this Act
Effectivity
- Law takes effect 15 days after publication in two national newspapers