Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. __2145

Introduced by HON. MA. AMELITA A. CALIMBAS - VILLAROSA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Decree No. 772 criminalizing the practice of squatting in a
sweeping manner was repealed in 1997 by Republic Act No. 8368 providing only
an exemption in cases of professional squatters and squatting syndicates
consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development
and Housing Act of 1992 (UDHA). Unfortunately, more than seven years after, we
have yet to see concrete benefits of such decriminalization

Squatter colonies continue to mushroom with much greater pace all over
the metropolis. This utter disrespect for property rights of others often find support
from traditional politicians who, instead of seriously implementing the provision of
summary eviction of professional squatters and squatting syndicates in the UDHA.
countenance such nefarious and illegal activities for fear of loosing potentially
fertile sources of much needed votes. The obvious purpose of separating the
grain from the shaft, so to speak, has not been served at all, rather, such
delineation have paved the way for the sly to circumvent the iaw with impunity. {t
is common knowledge that many resettlement areas have become homes not for
the urban poor but for those who take advantage of them.

The time has come to revisit Republic Act No. 8368 to evaluate the merits
and demerits of a popular statute that purportedly upheld the rights of the less
fortunate but at the great expense of the equally important rights of real property
‘owners. A statute that has initially received much applause but appeared to have
lost steam in mid-air due precisely to the universal principle that a wrong cannot
be righted by another wrong, though the latter may be considered as one of lesser
evil.

This bill will certainly be met with vigorous opposition but the will to do the
right thing should stand mighty, though lonely, until enlightenment dawns upon
society. 6

MA. AMELITA A. CALIMBAS - VILLAROSA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo, __*448

Introduced by HON. MA. AMELITA A. CALIMBAS — VILLAROSA

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8368, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE “ANTI-SQUATTING LAW REPEAL ACT OF 1997”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress so assembled.

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Revised Anti-Squatting Law
of 2008”.

SECTION 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8368 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

Section 4. Effect on Republic Act No. 7279. — Nothing herein shall
be construed to nullify, eliminate or diminish in any way Section 27 of
Republic Act No. 7279 or any of its provisions relative to sanctions against
professional squatters and squatting syndicates. Provided, that any person
‘or group of persons who, with the use of force, intimidation or threat, or
taking advantage of the absence or tolerance of the landowner, succeeds in
occupying or possessing the property of the latter against his will, and,
having received a written demand to either vacate or pay rent from said
landowner, shall refuse to do so within a period of ninety (90) days, shall be
considered a professional squatter within the purview of Republic Act No
7279,

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect thity (30) days after its publication in
two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved