The book

SET UP WHERE 60% MUST BE OWNED BY FILIPINOS. ALTHOUGH IT IS
CLEAR FROM OUR LAWS THAT FOREIGNERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO
OWN LAND AND THEIR OWNERSHIP OF OTHER FORMS OF REAL ESTATE
PROPERTIES IS LIMITED, THESE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
LIMITATIONS. FOREIGNERS MAY ACQUIRE AND BUY REAL ESTATE
PROPERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. The property was acquired under the 1935 Constitution.
2. Acquiring real property through hereditary succession.
This means that a person (not Filipino) inherited the property or land which may
have been acquired under the 1935 Philippine Constitution.
3. Not more than 40% of the units of a condominium project.
4. If the property was bought by the owner when he or she was still a natural
born Filipino citizen but subject to the restrictions provided by law.
5. For former natural born citizens, the ownership of an urban land shall be
limited to 1,000 square meters while for rural land, it must not exceed 1
hectare and must be used exclusively for residential purpose in
accordance with Batas Pambansa Bilang 185.
For married couples under this rule, one or both may own land as long as the total
area of the combined property shall not go beyond the maximum limit.
For Filipinos who married a foreigner, Philippine citizenship is not automatically
relinquished. Under Article IV Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution, “Citizens
of the Philippines who marry aliens shall retain their citizenship, unless by their
act or omission, they are deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.” An
example of renouncing Philippine citizenship is when a spouse would swear
allegiance to become a citizen of the spouse’s country. Any person although
married to a foreigner can buy and own land in the Philippines for as long as they
have not renounced said citizenship. They may acquire and own land without
restrictions since they are deemed to have retained their citizenship.
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