AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE HOLDING OF LAND BY RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF WHATEVER SECT OR DENOMINATION.

• Number: Act No. 271
• Sections: 6

Preamble

Whereas under the Spanish regime and law it was not lawful for any church or religious association except the Catholic Church and its dependencies to hold land in the Philippine Islands for the purpose of the construction of churches, parsonages, or educational or charitable institutions; and

Whereas by the Treaty of Paris the Philippine Islands passed under the control of the United States, which recognizes no state religion and treats all sects and denominations alike: Therefore,

Section 1

SECTION 1. It shall be lawful for all religions associations, of whatever sect or denomination, whether incorporated in the Philippine Islands or in some other country, or not incorporated at all, to hold land in the Philippine Islands upon which to build churches, parsonages, or educational or charitable institutions.

Section 2

SEC. 2. Such religious institutions, if not incorporated, shall, hold the land in the name of three trustees for the use of such associations; the trustees shall be selected by the directing body in the Philippine Islands for such associations, and vacancies occurring among the trustees by death, resignation, or other cause shall be filled in the same manner as the original selection.

Section 3

SEC. 3. All laws in conflict with the provisions of sections one and two hereof are hereby repealed.

Section 4

SEC. 4. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of "An Act prescribing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.

Section 5

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

Enacted, October 19, 1901.