5
The Regional Assembly may not pass any law to diminish,
lessen, or reduce the powers, functions, and shares in the internal
revenue taxes of the said local government units as provided by
Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991.
SEC. 4. Charters Govern Cities. – All chartered cities within
the autonomous region shall continue to be governed by their
charters. Nothing in this Organic Act shall be construed as to
diminish the powers and functions already enjoyed by these cities.
SEC. 5. Customs, Traditions, Religious Freedom
Guaranteed. – The beliefs, customs, and traditions of the people
in the autonomous region and the free exercise of their religions
as Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, or any other religious
denomination in the said region are hereby recognized, protected
and guaranteed.
The Regional Assembly shall adopt measures to ensure
mutual respect for and protection of the distinct beliefs, customs,
and traditions and the respective religions of the inhabitants
thereof, be they Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, or any
other religious denomination. The Regional Assembly, in
consultation with the Supreme Court and consistent with the
Constitution, may formulate a Shari'ah legal system including
the criminal cases, which shall be applicable in the region, only
to Muslims or those who profess the Islamic faith. The
representation of the regional government in the various central
government or national government bodies as provided for by
Article V, Section 5 shall be effected upon approval of the measures
herein provided.
The Shari'ah courts shall have jurisdiction over cases
involving personal, family and property relations, and commercial
transactions, in addition to their jurisdiction over criminal cases
involving Muslims.
The Regional Assembly shall, in consultation with the
Supreme Court, determine the number and specify the details of
the jurisdiction of these courts.