Presidential Decree No. 772 (PD 772) — Penalizing Squatting and Other Similar Acts

Presidential Decree No. 772 · Presidential Decree · Approved August 20, 1975 · 3 sections

Possibly repealedThe source text gives a repeal date of 1997-10-27The source text cites Republic Act No. 8368 as repealing itThis has not been confirmed against an official notice. Check the official text before you rely on it.

Data as of July 4, 2026 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗

Preamble

WHEREAS, it came to my knowledge that despite the issuance of Letter of Instructions No. 19 dated October 2, 1972, directing the Secretaries of National Defense, Public Works and Communications, Social Welfare and the Director of Public Works, the PHHC General Manager, the Presidential Assistant on Housing and Rehabilitation Agency, Governors, City and Municipal Mayors, and City and District Engineers, "to remove all illegal constructions including buildings on and along esteros and river banks, those along railroad tracks and those built without permits on public and private property, "squatting is still a major problem in urban communities all over the country; WHEREAS, many persons or entities found to have been unlawfully occupying public and private lands belong to the affluent class; WHEREAS, there is a need to further intensify the government's drive against this illegal and nefarious practice; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order:

Section 1

SECTION 1. Any person 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 for residential, commercial or any other purposes, shall be punished by an imprisonment ranging from six months to one year or a fine of not less than one thousand pesos nor more than five thousand pesos at the discretion of the court, with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency. If the offender is a corporation or association, the maximum penalty of five years and a fine of five thousand pesos shall be imposed upon the president, director, manager or managing partners thereof.

Section 2

SEC. 2. This Decree shall take effect immediately. Done in the City of Manila, this 20th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five. (Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President Republic of the Philippines By the President: (Sgd.) ALEJANDRO MELCHOR Executive Secretary

Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).

Continue your research

Browse all Philippine LawsEvery instrument by type and year, full text free to read section by sectionPhilippines legislation Philippine Laws by type and yearGrouped by instrument type and year of enactment, so you can find others of the same kindBrowse by type and year Philippines: what this database coversWhich datasets are here, which official source they come from, and how current they arePhilippines overview