The Quad Committee of the Philippine House of Representatives has formally filed a bill to reclaim lands illegally acquired by foreign nationals.
House Bill 11043, or the Civil Forfeiture Act, strengthens the constitutional ban on foreign land ownership stipulated in the 1935 Constitution.
The bill targets individuals evading constitutional restrictions through fake documents to acquire real estate properties.
Quad Committee Chairman Robert Ace Barbers emphasized that any land transferred to unqualified foreign nationals will be considered “null and void.”
Forfeited properties to benefit citizens, including agricultural lands for farmers and non-agricultural lands for public services
The proposal aims to enhance monitoring and enforcement of the law protecting lands belonging to Filipinos through the help of local government units and the Land Registration Authority.
The bill seeks to prevent foreign nationals from exploiting their influence and connections, particularly during the Duterte administration when Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were used as fronts to acquire lands.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.