IBP establishes dedicated legal aid office for muslim concerns

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has officially inaugurated a specialized office under its National Center for Legal Aid, specifically addressing Muslim concerns. Launched on September 10, 2024, the office is the first of its kind in the IBP’s history. Spearheading the office is newly appointed Deputy Director for Muslim Concerns, Atty. Abdul Majid P. Marohombsar, SCL, MAIS. His appointment was conducted by IBP Governor for the Western Visayas Region, Atty. Rafael Crescencio C. Tan, Jr., in the presence of IBP President Atty. Antonio C. Pido, IBP Executive Vice President Atty. Allan G. Panolong, and the IBP Board of Governors.

(Left to Right) IBP Governor Atty. Marlo V. Destura, Executive Vice President Atty. Allan G. Panolong, Governor Atty. Peter Neil E. Trinidad, President Antonio C. Pido, Governor Atty. Pitero M. Reig, Governor Atty. Rafael Cresencio C. Tan, Jr., Deputy Director Atty. Abdul Majid P. Marohombsar, SCL, NCMF Chief Almojin Pandapatan, Ms. Niha Pandapatan, Shari’ah Counselor Azlenor Adiong-Macapundag, IBP Governor Atty. Annalyn Sherry F. Hibo-Hamboa, IBP Governor Atty. Maria Imelda B. Quiambao-Tuazon

The office is expected to play a pivotal role in advocating for the legal rights, addressing systemic inequalities, and improving access to justice for marginalized Muslim Filipino communities. It aims to  provide legal support to underrepresented and underprivileged Muslim Filipinos nationwide, especially in remote and conflict-affected areas, such as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The creation of this office is a major step forward in the provision of legal services to these communities.

Through this initiative, the IBP reaffirms its commitment to raising the standards of the legal profession and advancing the administration of justice. The office will be open to the public at the IBP National Center for Legal Aid at the Ortigas Center, with legal aid caravans and legal aid centers planned in the future, to provide legal assistance on cases that may be heard either in regular courts or Shari’ah courts. This new office underscores the IBP’s efforts to more effectively fulfill its public responsibilities, particularly for vulnerable Muslim communities.

The IBP’s move is also in direct response to the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), which calls for judicial reform. By establishing a legal aid office dedicated to Muslim concerns, the IBP seeks to strengthen public access to legal services and enhance Shari’ah justice. This initiative is expected to facilitate justice and uphold the rule of law for Muslim Filipinos within and beyond the BARMM region.

During the inaugural Shari’ah Summit in 2023, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo emphasized the importance of addressing institutional challenges to improve judicial efficiency and expand access to justice in the Philippines, such that “(w)ith an institutional review of the Shari’ah justice system, (the Court) hope(s) to strengthen the foundations of Shari’ah (within the) national legal framework and achieve full adherence to the rule of law by all.” The Supreme Court has formed the Committee on Access to Justice in Underserved Areas and a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Shari’ah, respectively headed by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, to serve these objectives.

Deputy Director for Muslim Concerns, Atty. Abdul Majid P. Marohombsar, SCL

Deputy Director Atty. Marohombsar expressed the office’s mission in bringing legal representation and justice to underserved Muslim Filipinos nationwide. He stated, “(t)he office on Muslim Concerns will roll out various campaigns to bring justice and legal representation to underprivileged and underserved Muslim Filipinos across the country. In the spirit of the Prophet Muhammad’s hadith, ‘the best among (us) are those who bring greatest benefits to many others.’ This initiative, backed by a dedicated team of Muslim lawyers, will bring lasting and positive change to the Muslim Ummah (nation) in the Philippines.”

Atty. Marohombsar is a distinguished member of both the regular and Shari’ah bars and holds a Master of Arts degree in Islamic Studies from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, where he was honored as a university scholar. He also serves as a professorial lecturer at the Philippine Judicial Academy, Shari’ah and Islamic Laws and Jurisprudence Department. Atty. Marohombsar is a graduate of the prestigious Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands and has specialized in Shari’ah and Islamic finance, with professional training from INCEIF University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has authored publications on Sukuk and Islamic capital markets.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by Integrated Bar of the Philippines.