Senatorial candidate ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo is eyeing the filing of a bill that seeks to provide Muslim employees sufficient time for prayer during work hours. 

Under Tulfo's proposal, both private and government offices would be required to provide prayer breaks and designate prayer rooms for Muslim employees. 

“In Islam, our Muslim brothers and sisters need to pray five times a day,” said the journalist-turned-congressman and Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate member. 

He explained, “Two of these prayers, ‘Dhuhr,’ which is performed at midday, and ‘Asr,’ which takes place in the late afternoon, often coincide with working hours. These moments allow our Muslim brothers and sisters to show their faith in Allah and reflect on their spiritual life.” 

Tulfo emphasized that many Muslim employees feel hesitant to request breaks for prayer, fearing that a 10 to 15-minute pause may be questioned, especially when their supervisor or boss practices a different religion. 

In response to this concern, Tulfo intends to file the bill when the House Session resumes in June. 

The proposed legislation aims to institutionalize two prayer breaks for Muslim workers in both the public and private sectors. The bill will likewise mandate the establishment of a designated prayer room or space where Muslim employees can pray in peace and solemnity. 

Currently, some companies and agencies, particularly in the Muslim-majority provinces of Mindanao, already allow prayer breaks during working hours. 

Tulfo’s bill seeks to make this a standard practice nationwide.