National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos is a government agency whose objective is to promote the rights of Muslim Filipinos and to make them active participants in Philippine nation-building.^[1] On August 11, 2008, the Commission, which also serves as a link between the government and the country's Muslim minority, replaced the Office on Muslim Affairs, which had been pursuing the same aim since 1987.^[2]

Composition

The main difference between the Commission and its predecessor is its composisition: the Office on Muslim Affairs was headed by three Directors, who were appointed by the President. The seven members of the new Commission are still appointed by the President. All of them, however, must be Muslim Filipinos; one female, one a religious leader, the other five each from a different tribe.^[3] These provisions aim to represent the whole of the Muslim Filipino community equitably in the Commission. The members hold office for six years, the position of chairman changes biannually, so as to prevent any single tribe from gaining a dominant position in the Commission.

The Commission also consists of several specialized Bureaus and Regional Offices.

Functions

Pursuant to the Act of the Philippine House of Representatives creating it, the Commission fulfills several functions, amongst others:

• advising and assisting the President on issues affecting the Muslim Filipino community;
• providing legal assistance;
• promoting and organizing the annual Hajj;
• prescribing rules for the establishment of awqaf;
• Promoting and supervising the madrasah education system;
• providing scholarships; and
• being the primary agency through which Muslims can seek government assistance or redress.

References

1. ^ Section 2 of the Act Creating the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos of 11 August 2008
2. ^ Executive Order No. 122-A Creating the Office on Muslim Affairs of 1987 (repealed)
3. ^ Section 5 of the Act Creating the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos of 11 August 2008