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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE:
Can a former natural-born Filipino own property in the Philippines?
Yes. Former natural-born Filipinos may still own land in the Philippines, however it is subject to certain limitations. In case of urban lands, it must not exceed 1,000 square meters for residential purposes or 5,000 square meters for business purposes. In case of rural lands, it must not exceed 1 hectare for residential purposes or 3 hectares for business purposes.
(Section 2, B.P. 185; Section 10, R.A. 8179)
Former natural-born Filipinos or those who have undergone naturalization in order to become citizens of another country can still buy land in the Philippines under their name, however, it is subject to certain limitations. For residential purposes, he can own up to 1,000 square meters of urban land or 1 hectare of rural land. For business purposes, he can own a maximum of 5,000 square meters of urban land or three hectares of rural land.
Batas Pambansa Blg. 185 provides that –
Section 2. Any natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship and who has the legal capacity to enter into a contract under Philippine laws may be a transferee of a private land up to a maximum area of one thousand square meters, in the case of urban land, or one hectare in the case of rural land, to be used by him as his residence. In the case of married couples, one of them may avail of the privilege herein granted; Provided, That if both shall avail of the same, the total area acquired shall not exceed the maximum herein fixed.
In case the transferee already owns urban or rural lands for residential purposes, he shall still be entitled to be a transferee of additional urban or rural lands for residential purposes which, when added to those already owned by him, shall not exceed the maximum areas herein authorized.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8179 provides that:
“SEC. 10. Other Rights of Natural Born Citizen Pursuant to the Provisions of Article XII, Section 8 of the Constitution. – Any natural born citizen who has lost his Philippine citizenship and who has the legal capacity to enter into a contract under Philippine laws may be a transferee of a private land up to a maximum area of five thousand (5,000) square meters in the case of urban land or three (3) hectares in the case of rural land to be used by him for business or other purposes. In the case of married couples, one of them may avail of the privilege herein granted: Provided, That if both shall avail of the same, the total area acquired shall not exceed the maximum herein fixed.
“In case the transferee already owns urban or rural land for business or other purposes, he shall still be entitled to be a transferee of additional urban or rural land for business or other purposes which when added to those already owned by him shall not exceed the maximum areas herein authorized.
“A transferee under this Act may acquire not more than two (2) lots which should be situated in different municipalities or cities anywhere in the Philippines: Provided, That the total land area thereof shall not exceed five thousand (5,000) square meters in the case of urban land or three (3) hectares in the case of rural land for use by him for business or other purposes. A transferee who has already acquired urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa.”
(Source: REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8179, AN ACT TO FURTHER LIBERALIZE FOREIGN INVESTMENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7042, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, Batas Pambansa Blg. 185)
Read also: Can foreigners own real property in the Philippines?
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