Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-V8e
QUEZON CITY — The Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) under the leadership of Director Atty. Rolando “Rolly” T. Abo of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has set new strategic goals to better implement its mandate under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9997.
R.A. No. 9997 is the Commission’s Charter which established the NCMF in 2010, abolishing and replacing the Office on Muslim Affairs. Sheikh Sabuddin N. Abdurahim is the secretary/CEO of the NCMF.
Director Abo steered the conduct of the Strategic Planning held on November 24-25, 2025, at Harolds Hotel, Timog Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila, carrying the theme: “One BLA, Unified Direction in Legal Service Delivery and Support”.
SDN — SciTech & Digital News learned that the two-day activity had the primary objective of setting strategic goals pursuant to the mandate of the bureau as guided by the NCMF Charter and aligned with the Legal Affairs Divisions (LADs) of the 11 Regional Offices of the Commission in which the BLA exercises oversight function. Further, the activity was aimed at determining and addressing issues and challenges faced by the BLA and the Regional LADs in order to provide improved legal services and support to Muslim Filipinos.
On the first day, BLA’s two division chiefs, Atty. Michael Mito-on J. Ali of the Legal Affairs Division and Atty. Moumina Sheryne L. D. Abdullah of the Legal Assistance Division, set the tone for the workshop. Ali presented the Commission’s significant contributions to the passage of Republic Act No. 12160, or the Philippine Islamic Burial Act, and Republic Act No. 12304, which ensures Equitable Access to Shari’ah Courts.
Lively, engaging discussions during the strategic planning
He underscored the importance of sustained policy work and legislative engagement.
Abdullah emphasized the critical role of Regional LADs as the Commission’s frontline legal service providers, underscoring the necessity of their active participation in shaping unified strategies.
Representatives of Regional Legal Affairs Divisions (LADs) who presented their accomplishment report, plans and other updates were Acting Chief Atty. Jamael U. Batugan of NCMF-National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Office (RO), Chief Atty. Abbas S. Macadatar of NCMF-North Luzon RO, Acting Chief Atty. Merriam Angela C. Narawi of NCMF-South Luzon RO, Chief Atty. Anzarullah Zhadradi A. Abdullah of NCMF-Visayas RO, Chief Atty. Shayma A. Abdullah of NCMF-Northern Mindanao RO, Chief Atty. Naimah Sanggacala of NCMF-Lanao RO, Atty. Mathniya J. Ali of NCMF-Zamboanga RO, Chief Atty. Nadzma M. Ameril-Naga of NCMF-Caraga RO, Chief Atty. Cheryl T. Limbing of NCMF-Davao RO, and Chief Atty. Gapor G. Quituar, the concurrent Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Director of SOCCSKARGEN (Region XII) RO.
Atty. Datu Syed Omar K. Idjirani, Attorney III of BLA-Legal Assistance Division presented the Community Legal Education Program (CLEP) conducted by the BLA in two areas within the jurisdiction of Sulu RO. Other personnel of the Regional LADs participated through online platform.
On the second day of the activity, NCMF Deputy Executive Director Atty. Jehan-Jehan A. Lepail expressed her message of support to the programs, activities and projects of the BLA on behalf of the top management of the Commission.
She also provided updates on the recently concluded organizational meeting led by the Chairperson of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, Honorable Representative Bai Dimple I. Mastura, wherein the Commission headed by Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim, actively participated.
To advance unified direction and strengthen its legal services, the round table discussion focused on several areas: guidelines in rendering legal opinion; authority to engage in the limited practice of the legal profession; strengthening litigation support; Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) accreditation; digitalization of legal service and database; Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) development priorities regarding Philippine Islamic Burial Act and Equitable Access to Shari’ah Courts; and formal engagement with other government agencies through Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs).
Idjirani moderated and guided the engaging discussions.
Chief Ad-drin Abusaman of the Human Resource Development Division (NCMF-HRDD), Administrative Service of NCMF, presented an overview of the Optimization Law (Republic Act 12231) and its possible implication to the Commission especially to the BLA and the Regional LADs.
Another resource person, Chief Abdulaziz P. Abubakar of the Management Information Services Division (MISD), Planning Service of NCMF, provided guidance on the digitalization of legal service and establishing database.
Other BLA lawyers present at the program included Atty. Maria Belen “Maryam” A. Al-Namit, Attorney IV of BLA-Legal Affairs Division, who provided the overview of the program, Atty. Rhaiza R. Dellova, Attorney III, of BLA-Legal Affairs Division who made the recap of Day 1, while Atty. Ambayanan B. Manding, Attorney IV of BLA-Legal Assistance Division, served as the master of ceremony. (/)