THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Executive Order No. 209, also known as the “Family Code of 1988,” Article 157, 
provides that: 
“The actual value of the family home shall not exceed, at the time of its 
constitution, the amount of the three hundred thousand pesos in urban areas, and 
two hundred thousand pesos in rural areas, or such amounts as may hereafter be 
fixed by law. 
In any event, if the value of the cunency changes after the adoption of this 
Code, the value most favorable for the constitution of a family home shall be the 
basis of evaluation. 
For purposes of this Article, urban areas are deemed to include chartered 
cities and municipalities whose annual income at least equals that legally required 
for chartered cities. All others are deemed to be rural areas. (23 la)” 
It must be noted that the Family Code was crafted in 1987. Back then, the peso-dollar 
exchange rate is just around 20 pesos to a dollar. Today, the peso dollar exchange rate is around 
48 pesos to a dollar, more than twice the exchange rate in 1987. 
It is very clear in the law that if the value of the currency changes after the adoption of 
the Family Code, the value most favorable for the constitution of a family home shall be the 
basis of evaluation. Since the value of our currency has already changed drastically since 1987, it 
is just logical that the value of the family home be likewise adjusted. 
Therefore, in order to make the law more realistic and just, this amendment should be 
taken into consideration. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
~~ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209, ALSO KNOWN AS 
THE FAMILY CODE OF 1988, ARTICLE 157 ON THE VALUE OF THE FAMILY HOME 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 157 of Executive Order No. 209, also known as the Family Code of 
1988 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Art. 157. The actual value of the family home shall not exceed, at the time of its 
constitution, the amount of ONE MILLION pesos in urban areas, and SEVEN HUNDRED 
FIFTY THOUSAND pesos in rural areas, or such amounts as may hereafter be fixed by law. 
In any event, if the value of the currency changes after the adoption of this ACT, the 
value most favorable for the constitution of a family home shall be the basis of evaluation., 
For purposes of this Article, urban areas are deemed to include chartered cities and 
municipalities whose annual income at least equals that legally required for chartered cities. All 
others are deemed to be rural areas. (231a) 
SECTION 2.Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 3. Eflectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
ijpsO60507 
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