Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, on Tuesday, September 16, launched an inquiry into complaints from over 2,000 Filipino Muslims who claimed they were scammed by a travel agency offering discounted Hajj pilgrimage packages.

Padilla called for criminal investigations and immediate relief for the victims, stressing that the alleged scam exploited the faith of Filipino Muslims.

The inquiry stemmed from Senate Resolution No. 69 filed by Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who also pressed for accountability. Tulfo cited reports from would-be pilgrims in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi who said they paid between ₱30,000 and ₱100,000 for guaranteed slots in the June 2025 Hajj but failed to make the pilgrimage.

Victims and alleged overcharging

In a video posted by Senator Tulfo on his Facebook account, victims were enticed by a “promotional offer” supposedly limited to 200 slots, compared with the regular ₱352,000 Hajj package. Many sold assets or borrowed money to join.

Complainants also said they were charged ₱3,000 for seminars and ₱5,500 for vaccines, higher than the ₱3,500 fee normally charged by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). Tulfo added that the Bureau of Quarantine in Zamboanga admitted private individuals acted as intermediaries for vaccinations, a function not within its mandate.

Officials of Al-Haramain Travel Agency, identified by victims as the organizer of the failed pilgrimage, have yet to comment.

Push for privatization

Meanwhile, Atty. Haron Ali urged the privatization of Hajj services in line with RA 9997.

“Ito po ang ating ipinaglalaban na ma-privatize itong Hajj, kasi po nakasaad mismo sa RA 9997 na hindi pwedeng mangolekta ang NCMF at ang kanilang authorized agent,” Ali said.

He added that allowing private tour operators to manage services could make the pilgrimage more affordable: “Magbigay po sila ng pinakamagandang Hajj service at pinakamurang price.”