Section 2Sec./Art. 2

Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 11. Bureaus. - x x x x x x x x x

(g) Bureau of Legal Affairs. - The Legal Affairs Bureau shall be responsible for providing Muslim Filipinos with legal education and assistance in case of litigation involving their persons or interests; act as the legal counsel of the Commission; and investigate cases involving its personnel and submit appropriate recommendations pertaining thereto. The Bureau shall also investigate valid complaints brought before the Commission.

The Bureau shall also ensure equitable access to Shari'ah Courts. It shall, upon request, facilitate the filing or submission of pleadings and other court submissions with the proper Shari'ah Courts for litigants who reside in a region where there is no existing Shari'ah Court.

The Commission shall, in coordination with the Supreme Court establish a mechanism for the filing or submission of legal documents within the jurisdiction of the Shari'ah Circuit and District Courts, including those provided in Title VI, Chapter One of Presidential Decree No. 1083, otherwise known as the "Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines". The mechanism shall be facilitated and administered by the Commission through the Bureau of Legal Affairs.

The number of personnel and legal officers necessary for the effective implementation of this subsection shall be determined by the Commission."