The bill seeking to provide Muslims and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) equal access to public cemeteries that predominantly hold Christian beliefs has gained a traction in the Senate.

This after Senate minority leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III expressed his support to Senate Bill No. 1273, which seeks to establish proper burial grounds for Muslims and IPs.

Pimentel commended Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, author of the bill, for "having thought of this idea.” Padilla also sponsored the measure.

"Actually, I think this is a very timely measure, especially that our sponsor has received actual real life experiences na sinasagot ng panukalang batas na ito (that this bill seeks to address)... This is a measure we should support,” Pimentel said.

“It is timely and worthy of support,” the senator said.

Padilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, said he filed the bill after learning of real-life experiences where Muslims and IPs still encounter problems in looking for burial grounds for their departed loved ones.

The Muslim lawmaker had said it is infuriating to learn of recent incidents such as the displacement of 100 remains in a Muslim cemetery in Quezon City and Montalban due to the activities of a nearby quarrying company.

According to Padilla, many IPs face challenges in following their burial traditions especially in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, since the remains must be transported to their home provinces. Most public cemeteries in Metro Manila also hold Christian beliefs.

"Ito pong panukalang ito, ito ay ibinunga ng napakaraming malungkot na karanasan ng kapatid nating Muslim at katutubo. Katunayan, may hakbang ang NCIP, sila rin nakausap natin at sila may position na talagang merong discrimination pagdating sa katutubo (This bill stemmed from the sad experiences of our Muslim and IP brethren. Even the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples have a position against the discrimination against IPs on burial grounds),” Padilla said.

During his interpellation on the bill, Pimentel suggested improving the bill, including incorporating a floor plan for public cemeteries as well as not allowing donors of burial lots to influence the partition of the cemeteries—to which Padilla agreed.

"Katanggap-tanggap ang nais ninyong amendment (Your proposed amendments are very acceptable)," Padilla told Pimentel.

The Senate minority leader, then vowed to formalize his suggestions when the bill is up for amendments.