In partnership with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Provincial Government of Sulu, Assoc. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, faculty member of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) and Convenor of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies – Islamic Studies Program (UP CIDS-ISP), along with Ms. Johayra Datlan, Senior Lecturer at UP IIS and Development Management Officer III at NCMF, served as resource persons for the “Awareness Seminar on PD1083 (Code of Muslim Personal Laws or CMPL) and Other Laws Affecting Muslims in the Philippines.” This awareness-raising activity was held on July 24, 2025, at Sumadja Hall, Capitol Site, Patikul, in the province of Sulu.
The initiative is a response to long-standing challenges facing Shari’ah Law, particularly the CMPL, since its codification in 1977 and the establishment of Shari’ah courts in 1985. To this day, the CMPL has not been updated or expanded, and Shari’ah Law remains largely unfamiliar to the broader Muslim population in the Philippines.
Since 2023, UP IIS and UP CIDS-ISP have actively implemented and collaborated on various initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness and educating Muslim communities. These efforts also seek to promote dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders and institutions engaged in matters related to Islamic Law.
Representing the provincial government of Sulu, Provincial Administrator Hon. Erwin Tan expressed his appreciation for the presence of UP IIS in his welcome message. He also conveyed hopes for stronger collaboration with the provincial government, particularly in advancing academic initiatives such as the revival of the historical narratives of Lupah Sug.
The seminar began with a lecture by Prof. Absari on the Brief History of Islamic Law in the Philippines. In his presentation, he emphasized not only the importance of raising awareness among Muslim communities regarding Shari’ah Law, but also the need to encourage the use and promotion of Shari’ah court services. This, he stressed, is essential to honor the struggles of the ancestors and Muslim revolutionary groups such as the MNLF in preserving the traditions, practices, and legal systems of Muslims in Mindanao.
Ms. Datlan followed with a lecture on the Salient Features of PD1083. She highlighted key provisions of the law and how they contrast with other existing Philippine laws. She underscored the need for separate legal frameworks for Muslims to ensure culturally sensitive engagement with issues such as marriage, inheritance, civil personality, and divorce.
This awareness-raising campaign is a joint effort of UP IIS, UP CIDS-ISP, NCMF, and the Provincial Government of Sulu developed in line with the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ reaffirmation of its commitment to strengthening the role of Shari’ah Courts within the national judicial system.
Article by Camz Bello | Photos by Nash Rasul
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