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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Memorandum Circular No. 970, March 15, 1977 ]

FURTHER CLARIFYING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 20 RELATIVE TO EJECTMENT OF LESSEES.

WHEREAS, there have been many reports that many owners or lessors of residential lands and buildings covered by Presidential Decree No. 20 have been ejecting, with the help of certain lower courts, their tenants on the ground that the former or their families will use the leased property;

WHEREAS, in a long line of opinions rendered by this Office in the construction and interpretation of Presidential Decree No. 20, personal use by the owners or lessors or their families of covered dwelling units occupied by bona fide tenants is not a recognized cause for judicial ejectment of the latter; and

WHEREAS, to allow eviction of lessees for the reason alone that the premises are needed by the owners or lessors or their families will open the floodgates for abuse and circumvention of Presidential Decree No. 20 thereby setting to naught the intent and purpose of the President to protect and assist the low-income families comprising the bulk of rented dwelling place occupants;

WHEREFORE, it is hereby made clear for the benefit of all concerned that, except for the causes for judicial ejectment of lessees enumerated, in Article 1673 of the New Civil Code in relation to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6359, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 20, bona fide tenants of dwelling places covered by said decree are not subject to eviction, particularly if the only because of action thereof is personal use of the property by the owner lessors or their families.1aшphi1

By authority of the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Presidential Assistant for Legal Affairs

Manila, March 15, 1977

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

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