NCMF Launches Legal Handbook

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) with the support of European Union (EU) launched its Legal Handbook for Muslim Filipino communities last August 27.

The event was led Department of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima together with NCMF Commissioners, EU Charge d’affaires Lubomir Frebort and representatives from the academic and Muslim communities.

The European Union, through the EU-Philippines Justice Support Programme II (EPJUST2) is supporting the Muslim Filipino Community Paralegal Program (MCFPP) which is aimed at creating a frontline legal team for Muslim Filipinos Communities that can immediately respond to legal issues and problems.

Lubomir Frebort, Charge d’affaires of the EU delegation underscored the role of its implementing partner in promoting equitable justice and peace in the country. “The support through the EPJUST II of the NCMF is providing the European Union with another opportunity to contribute both to the advancement of the legal aid services for the poor and vulnerable, and to the furtherance of peace in the Philippines.” Told Frebort.

The Legal Handbook was developed for the use of Muslim Filipino communities thru the NCMF Muslim Community Paralegal Program. After the successful training of thirty four (34) volunteer paralegals from eight (8) Muslim Filipino communities by trainors from different government agencies and law schools, the NCMF worked with the trainors to come up with the legal handbook.

The importance of the Paralegal Programme and the Legal Handbook was underscored by NCMF Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao “The legal handbook is a useful tool to empower our people in advocating for their rights,” Secretary Busran-Lao said.

Commissioner Mehol K. Sadain added that this advocacy is important. “The NCMF is actively working for human rights advocacy and this legal handbook will be helpful to the communities,” he added.

Commissioner Edilwasif T. Baddiri cited the support of the European Commission “The European Commission, thru the EPJUST II Program, has been instrumental in allowing the NCMF to deliver on its mandate of legal assistance to the Muslim Filipino people,” Baddiri said.

He added that the access to justice of Muslim Filipinos has been greatly enhanced by the paralegal program.