13/02/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament and the Philippine Muslim Judges Association (PMJA) convened a landmark consultative meeting on 12 February 2026 in Cotabato City to strengthen institutional collaboration and accelerate the full implementation of the Shariโah justice system in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Office of Deputy Speaker Don Mustapha Arbison Loong, represented by Ms. Fatima Duma, JD, MPA, participated in the high-level dialogue led by Supreme Court Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao. The engagement focused on aligning legislative initiatives with judicial reforms under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the Supreme Courtโs Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovation (SPJI).
Established in 2024, PMJA serves as the primary platform of Muslim justices and judges nationwide and acts as an institutional partner of the Supreme Court of the Philippines in advancing Shariโah law within the national judicial framework.
Described as the first legislativeโjudicial dialogue of its kind in Muslim Mindanao, the meeting underscored the urgent need to operationalize key BOL provisions relating to the Shariโah justice system.
Justice Dimaampao emphasized that while the judiciary is steadily moving toward digitalization and technology-driven court processes, the Bangsamoro region must simultaneously establish the necessary physical, administrative, and institutional structures required for the Shariโah High Court and related offices.
Discussions also explored the prospective establishment of additional Shariโah courts in the Visayas and Luzon to better serve Muslim Filipinos outside BARMM, reinforcing access to justice nationwide.
Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Mohammad S. Yacob highlighted the importance of sustained institutional development:
โAs we strengthen our regional autonomy, the continued development, professionalization, and institutional support for Shariโah courts remain essential. PD 1083 provides the legal foundation, but it is through your dedication, as judges, scholars, and practitioners that its spirit is brought to life. Ensuring its effective implementation enhances access to justice for Muslim communities and reinforces respect for legal pluralism within our national framework.โ
The Speaker further affirmed that the dialogue solidifies a long-term partnership between Parliament and PMJA to ensure that regional legislation and judicial administration move in synergy.
Court of Appeals Justice Edilwasif T. Baddiri, National President of PMJA, described the dialogue as reflective of the Bangsamoro peopleโs aspirations for peace, justice, and self-determination. Quoting Justice Dimaampao, he stated:
โThrough this legislative-judicial partnership, we are laying the moral and administrative foundations for an effective justice system that respects our unique cultural and historical heritage.โ
At present, only approximately 150 Muslim judges serve out of more than 4,000 members of the judiciary nationwide, representing less than four percent. PMJA leaders encouraged qualified Muslim legal professionals to pursue judicial appointments to move toward a ten percent representation goal and promote greater inclusivity in the justice system.
Court of Appeals Justice Lily V. Biton, Executive Justice and Chairperson of the Special Shariโah Appellate Division of the Court of Appeals โ Mindanao, emphasized the need to strengthen key institutional mechanisms, including:
โข The Shariโah Judicial Academy
โข The Shariโah Special Institutional Service
โข The Office of the Shariโah Jury Council
โข The Shariโah Public Assistance Office pursuant to Section 16, Article X of the BOL
These institutions are critical to professionalizing and sustaining the Shariโah justice system in the region.
Hon. Norhasima Sangbaan Curo, Presiding Judge of the 8th MCTC in Lanao del Sur, commended the Parliament for adopting Parliament Resolution No. 458, authored by Deputy Speaker Don Mustapha Arbison Loong.
Adopted on 22 May 2024, the resolution respectfully requested the Supreme Court to facilitate the immediate organization of the Shariโah High Court in BARMM.
In January 2026, the Supreme Court initiated concrete steps toward organizing the Shariโah High Court, including the appointment of a Shariโah Administrator to oversee staffing and budgetary requirements, a decisive development aligned with the intent of Resolution No. 458.
Stakeholders emphasized that sustained momentum is crucial, not only in policy planning but also in ensuring the physical establishment of courts, promulgation of procedural rules, adequate staffing, and secured operational resources.
PMJA expressed its gratitude to the BTA leadership, including the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, and Members of Parliament, for their active engagement. Hon. Bai Ashrafia Aymee Biruar-Mitmug noted that the dialogue successfully translated institutional challenges into concrete opportunities for appointments and structural development, and reaffirmed PMJAโs commitment to support initiatives under the Committee on Law and Justice.
The consultative meeting stands as a milestone in reinforcing legislativeโjudicial cooperation, advancing access to justice, and strengthening the institutional foundations of Shariโah governance within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
