Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano pushed for concrete measures to protect the rights of Muslim Filipinos, urging the government to issue the delayed rules on Islamic burial law, explore culturally sensitive autopsy procedures, and revisit the vetoed measure guaranteeing access to public cemeteries.
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, Cayetano stressed that respecting religious beliefs should go beyond recognizing differences and include practical measures that protect people’s rights.
“Respecting religious beliefs should go beyond recognizing differences and include practical measures that protect people’s rights.”
“If there’s a will to really respect rights, there’s a way,” the veteran legislator said.
Among the seasoned lawmaker’s proposals was for the committee to formally write the Department of Health (DOH) and demand action on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Philippine Islamic Burial Act, which are yet to be issued since the law was enacted in April 2025.
The senator urged the agency to provide at least a draft to relevant commissions and non-government organizations before its proposed budget reaches the Senate plenary.
“Sulatan na natin ang [DOH] para wala silang excuse,” he said. “Demand that by the time their budget is up in plenary, they have at least a draft given to all the relevant commissions and NGOs of the IRR of the Philippine Islamic Burial Act.”
Cayetano also urged authorities to explore modern forensic technology that could help meet legal requirements for autopsies without compromising the religious beliefs of the deceased Muslim and their families.
He cited the ongoing construction of a modern forensic unit at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig as he asked committee members to recommend appropriate equipment and systems.
“May special equipment na hindi hahawakan ang katawan ng namayapa na Muslim at hindi rin bubuksan.”
“May special equipment na hindi hahawakan ang katawan ng namayapa na Muslim at hindi rin bubuksan. ‘Pag inutos ng pulis or ng korte ng autopsy, pwede pa rin gawin [while] respecting their religious beliefs and their rights,” Cayetano said.
He likewise urged government agencies to study practices in Muslim communities in Mindanao and abroad to ensure timely burials and consider measures to prevent unpaid hospital bills from delaying the release of bodies.
Cayetano also called for a review of the Equal Access to Public Cemeteries Act, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed in September 2025 over constitutional concerns. The measure sought to allocate public cemetery space for Muslims, Indigenous Peoples and other religious groups.
He urged the committee to seek legal opinions from former chief justices and other experts on its constitutionality, noting that existing burial support programs serve Filipinos regardless of their religion.
“Wala namang mawawala kung ilan sa mga former Chief Justices or Justices ay makatulong magbigay ng opinyon sa atin. Kapag pinadala natin ang bill sa Malacañang, nandoon din ang opinyon nila na walang violation ng separation of church and state,” Cayetano said.
“Umaasa akong mapapasa ito,” he added.
