Property Ownership Limitation Act (Proposed): Difference between revisions
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== | === EXPLANATORY NOTE === | ||
In the Philippines, where wealth inequality and political entitlement continue to undermine public trust, public officials often accumulate vast amounts of real estate over the course of their careers - often disproportionate to their legal income and far beyond the basic needs of public service. | |||
Inspired by the principles behind the '''Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL),''' which redistributed land to address historical inequality, and the '''Balikbayan Law''', which places legal limits on land ownership by former Filipino citizens to preserve national equity in land resources, this proposed legislation seeks to establish a '''real estate asset cap for all public officials'''. | |||
Like the Balikbayan Law, which limits land acquisition to '''1,000 sqm of urban land or 1 hectare of rural land''', this proposed measure sets a '''lifetime cap''' on real estate ownership among public servants to uphold modesty, fairness, and accountability in government. By limiting land ownership, their inheritance will also be limited, in consonance with the '''[[Property Inheritance Limitation Act for Public Officials' Heirs (Proposed)]]'''. | |||
Under this proposed law, no public official - whether elected, appointed, or permanent (plantilla) - shall own more than three (3) real estate properties, and the total combined lot area must not exceed 1,500 square meters nationwide. These properties shall be limited to: | |||
* A Principal Residence; | |||
* A Secondary Property for family or livelihood; and | |||
* An Additional Property located near the official’s government assignment, if necessary. | |||
This threshold is designed to reflect a reasonable standard of living for a statesman and a clear rejection of wealth accumulation through public office. Public officials are not private entrepreneurs - they are stewards of public trust. By imposing clear, reasonable limits, this law will help prevent conflict of interest, curb corruption, and restore the ethical foundation of government service. | |||
This proposal is respectfully submitted for the consideration of Congress, in pursuit of a lean, honest, and truly people-centered public service. | |||
[[Category:Published]] | [[Category:Published]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:24, 23 May 2025
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the Philippines, where wealth inequality and political entitlement continue to undermine public trust, public officials often accumulate vast amounts of real estate over the course of their careers - often disproportionate to their legal income and far beyond the basic needs of public service.
Inspired by the principles behind the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), which redistributed land to address historical inequality, and the Balikbayan Law, which places legal limits on land ownership by former Filipino citizens to preserve national equity in land resources, this proposed legislation seeks to establish a real estate asset cap for all public officials.
Like the Balikbayan Law, which limits land acquisition to 1,000 sqm of urban land or 1 hectare of rural land, this proposed measure sets a lifetime cap on real estate ownership among public servants to uphold modesty, fairness, and accountability in government. By limiting land ownership, their inheritance will also be limited, in consonance with the Property Inheritance Limitation Act for Public Officials' Heirs (Proposed).
Under this proposed law, no public official - whether elected, appointed, or permanent (plantilla) - shall own more than three (3) real estate properties, and the total combined lot area must not exceed 1,500 square meters nationwide. These properties shall be limited to:
- A Principal Residence;
- A Secondary Property for family or livelihood; and
- An Additional Property located near the official’s government assignment, if necessary.
This threshold is designed to reflect a reasonable standard of living for a statesman and a clear rejection of wealth accumulation through public office. Public officials are not private entrepreneurs - they are stewards of public trust. By imposing clear, reasonable limits, this law will help prevent conflict of interest, curb corruption, and restore the ethical foundation of government service.
This proposal is respectfully submitted for the consideration of Congress, in pursuit of a lean, honest, and truly people-centered public service.