Muslim judges push for fair, equal, and inclusive justice

The Philippine Muslim Judges Association (PMJA) convened in Sulu for its first-ever national convention, pushing for a fair, equal, and inclusive justice system as a key foundation for peace and prosperity in Muslim communities.

The two-day gathering brought together Supreme Court (SC) and Court of Appeals (CA) justices, trial court and Shari’ah court judges, and other judiciary officials in a unified effort to strengthen inclusive justice as a pillar of regional development.

The convention opened on 13 November 2025 with a pre-convention lecture by Acting Presiding Judge Jamel T. Mamutuk of the Shari’ah District Court on the Bangsamoro justice system and the special rules governing Shari’ah courts.

The formal session featured opening remarks from CA Associate Justice and PMJA President Edilwasif T. Baddiri, along with messages from Sulu Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II and Vice Governor Abdusakur M. Tan.

One of the major highlights was the presentation of the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI), which aims to modernize the justice system, improve access to courts, and promote efficiency nationwide.

The convention also included a knowledge-sharing session on best practices in case management for trial courts led by trial court judges, as well as discussions on recent developments in Shari’ah procedure and jurisprudence and a session on procedures and cases in the CA.

The event concluded with a cultural immersion and tour of Sulu, giving participants the opportunity to experience the province’s rich heritage.

The PMJA National Convention reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to fairness, equality, and inclusivity while fostering collaboration among judicial leaders to improve justice delivery in Muslim communities.