Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
CHAPTER II
AGRICULTURAL LEASEHOLD CONCEPT
Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the Agricultural Land Reform Code.
1. PREFATORY STATEMENTS
The thrust of this legislation is the drastic abolition of share tenancy system. It provided for the
automatic conversion of the sharecropper to the status of an agricultural lessee, governed by the
system of agricultural leasehold which is established either:
The Agricultural Land Reform Code still finds application to the following:
a. areas which have not come within the operation and implementation of P.D. No. 27;
b. agricultural laborers subject to the provisions of the Labor Code;
c. organization and operation of the Land Bank;
d. provisions on resettlements of farmers;
e. right to pre-emption and redemption, with respect to land-owner’s retained area, should
such landowner decide to sell his tenanted / leased retained area, the tenant has the
preferential right to purchase and / or redeem the same in case the land is sold to a third
person without the tenant’s knowledge;
f. right of the tenant / lessee to 75% share from the standing crops;
The same scheme of repayments to the Land Bank of the Philippines of the purchase price of
lands acquired under the operation of the Agricultural Land Reform Code, applies to lands
acquired under both P.D. No. 27 and R.A. No. 6657, with the difference that the period of
amortization payments to the Land Bank which was staggered within the period of 15 years under
P.D. No. 27, has been extended to 30 years under Section 26 of R.A No. 6657.
The functions of a machinery that used to extend credit and financial assistance to agricultural
lessees, amortizing owners-cultivator, owners-cultivator and cooperatives which the Code of
Agrarian Reforms had entrusted with the defunct Agricultural Credit Administration (ACA) are now
being implemented by the Land Bank of the Philippines.
The Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) in turn delegates its functions
to the respective Regional and Provincial Adjudicators of the DAR. Any decision, order, award or
ruling of the DAR on any agrarian dispute, may be brought to the Court of Appeals on certiorari.
They shall be responsible for the development of plans and programs for the extension of legal
information to farmers; extension of legal services to them.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Agricultural land – means land devoted to any growth, including but not limited to crop lands,
saltbeds, fishponds, idle land and abandoned land.
Agricultural lessee – means a person who by himself and with the aid available from within his
immediate farm household, cultivates the land belonging to, or possessed by, another with the
latter’s consent.
Agricultural lessor – means a person, lets or grants to another the cultivation and use of his
land for a price certain.
Agricultural year – means the period of time required for raising a particular agricultural product.
Immediate farm household - means the members of the family of the lessee or lessor and
other persons who are dependent upon him for support.
Agrarian dispute – means any controversy relating to terms, tenure or condition of employment,
or concerning an association or representation of persons in negotiating, maintaining, changing or
seeking to arrange terms on conditions of employment.
Agricultural owner-cultivator – means any person who, personally cultivates his own land.
Fair rental value – means the value not in excess of allowable depreciation plus 6% interest per
annum.
Incapacity – means any cause or circumstance which prevents the lessee from fulfilling his
contractual and other obligations under the Code.
2. Share tenancy- the relationship which exists whenever two persons agree on a joint
undertaking for agricultural production wherein one party furnishes the land and the other
his labor, with either or both contributing any one or several of the items of production,
the tenant cultivating the land personally with the aid of labor available from members of
his immediate farm household, and the produce thereof to be divided between the
landholder and the tenant.
3. Owner-cultivatorship - a land tenure mode where a person who, providing capital and
management, personally cultivates his own land with the aid of his immediate family and
household.
5. Labor administration – which employs laborers and workers on a daily wage basis, and
engaged in a large scale plantation farming of permanent crops by their respective
managers.
1. the landholder
2. the person who personally cultivates the land.
1. It is essentially personal, in the sense that it cannot be exercised by third persons other
than the lessor himself, and the lessee who personally cultivates the land;
2. It has the nature of an in rem or real relationship, because it imposes a burden upon the
land subject of the landholding and continues to exist even by the death or incapacity of
either party, or the expiration of the agreement.
It makes it a penal offense to eject a tenant illegally from his holding except upon approval of the
court
· Political Science
- Security of Tenure is a term used in political science to describe a constitutional
or legal guarantee that a political office-holder cannot be removed from office
except in exceptional and specified circumstances.
· Business Dictionary
- According to business dictionary, security of tenure is a legal protection afforded
to (1) tenants of dwelling houses (usually under a rent act) against arbitrary rent
increases and landlord's attempts to repossess the property through eviction, or
(2) employees in certain professions (such as teaching) against summary
dismissal without just cause.
The Labor Code also guarantees the right of labor’s to security of tenure. Article 279 of
the same code states that:
“ART. 279. Security of tenure. - In cases of regular employment, the employer shall not terminate
the services of an employee except for a just cause or when authorized by this Title. An
employee who is unjustly dismissed from work shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of
seniority rights and other privileges and to his full backwages, inclusive of allowances, and to his
other benefits or their monetary equivalent computed from the time his compensation was
withheld from him up to the time of his actual reinstatement. (As amended by Section 34,
Republic Act No. 6715, March 21, 1989).”
According to PHILIPPINE-SINGAPORE TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. vs NATIONAL
LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION (G.R. No. 95449, August 18, 1997) There are two facets of
Article 279 of Labor Code. To wit:
a. The legality of act of dismissal
b. The legality in manner of dismissal
The illegality of the act of dismissal constitutes discharge without just cause, while illegality in
the manner of dismissal is dismissal without due process.
Security of land tenure “the agricultural leasehold relation under this Code, shall not be
extinguished by mere expiration of the term or period in the leasehold contract, in case the
agricultural lessor sells, alienates of transfers the legal possession of the landholding, the
purchaser or transferee thereof shall be subrogated to the rights and substituted to the obligations
of the agricultural lessor.”
In order to possess the status of a de jure tenant, the following essential requisites must
concur, to wit:
The absence of one does not make an occupant of a parcel of land or a cultivator thereof, a de
jure tenant, hence cannot invoke the defense of security of tenure.
What now is the effect of the law to cultivator-tiller of a less than family-size farms?
Such landholder-tiller or tiller-sharer, is at most considered as a mere caretaker before the eyes
of the law who is not entitled to the security of tenure.
Should the landholding be sold or alienated to a new owner, what happens to the rights
and obligations of the transferee and his heirs?
The transferee and his heirs are subrogated to the rights and obligations of the former landowner.
However, the change of landowner cannot be allowed to raise the status of a mere caretaker or
tiller – sharer to that of an agricultural tenant and leaseholder.
Section 26, R.A. No. 3844, empowers the lessee to take direct action against any trespasser to
the landholding without waiting for the response from the lessor.
Agricultural Lessor is a person, natural or juridical, who, either as owner, civil law lessee,
usufructuary, or legal possessor, lets or grants to another the cultivation and use of his land for a
certain price in money or in produce or both.
Section 29 of the Code of Agrarian Reform provides for the Right of the Agricultural lessor. The
agricultural lessor can exercise the right provided as long as it does not interfere with the lessee’s
peaceful possession of the landholding.
Section 29. Rights of the Agricultural Lessor - It shall be the right of the agricultural lessor:
(1) To inspect and observe the extent of compliance with the terms and conditions of their
contract and the provisions of this Chapter;
(2) To propose a change in the use of the landholding to other agricultural purposes, or in the
kind of crops to be planted: Provided, That in case of disagreement as to the proposed change,
the same shall be settled by the Court according to the best interest of the parties concerned:
Provided, further, That in no case shall an agricultural lessee be ejected as a consequence of the
conversion of the land to some other agricultural purpose or because of a change in the crop to
be planted;
(3) To require the agricultural lessee, taking into consideration his financial capacity and the credit
facilities available to him, to adopt in his farm proven farm practices necessary to the
conservation of the land, improvement of its fertility and increase of its productivity: Provided,
That in case of disagreement as to what proven farm practice the lessee shall adopt, the same
shall be settled by the Court according to the best interest of the parties concerned; and
(4) To mortgage expected rentals.
The lessee may seek relief from the nearest Regional Agrarian Reform Adjudicators (RARAD) or
the Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudicators (PARAD) to compel the agricultural lessor to comply
with this obligation in case of refusal, neglect or resistance on the part of the lessor.
Prohibition to the Agricultural Lessor
1. When the landholding is declared by the Department Head to be suited for residential,
commercial, industrial or some other urban purposes;
2. Failure to comply with any of the of the terms and conditions of the contract of lease;
3. Planting of crops or used the landholding for a purpose other than what had been
previously agreed upon;
4. Failure to adopt proven farm practices as determined under paragraph 3 of Section
twenty-nine;
5. When through fault or negligence of the lessee, the land or other substantial permanent
improvement thereon is substantially damaged or destroyed or has reasonably
deteriorated;
6. Failure to pay the lease rental when it falls due;
7. Employment of a sub-lessee.
The above causes are grounds for ejectment of an agricultural lessee only after observance of
due process.
In case the agricultural lessor decide to sell the landholding, the agricultural lessee shall have the
preferential right to buy the same under reasonable terms and conditions: each shall be entitled
to said preferential right only to the extent of the area actually cultivated by him. The right of pre-
emption may be exercised within one hundred eighty (180) days from notice in writing, which
shall be served by the owner on all lessees affected and the Department of Agrarian Reform.
He must either tender payment of, or present a certificate from the Land Bank that it shall make
payment pursuant to Sec. 80 of this Code. If the latter refuses to accept such tender or
presentment, he may consign it with the Court.
Any dispute as to reasonableness of the terms and conditions, may be brought by the lessee or
by the Department of Agrarian Reform to the proper Court of Agrarian Relations.
Right of Pre-emption
Granted by the Code of Agrarian Reform to the agricultural lessee to purchase the property
subject of his landholding, from the agricultural lessor, before said land is sold to a third person
other than the lessee or lessees.
Lessee also enjoys right of redemption. Redemption means the action of regaining or gaining
possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt. Right of redemption differs
from right of pre-emption as the former contemplates of a consummated sale and transfer of
ownership of landholding to a third person while in the latter, no such sale to a third person has
yet taken place. Section 12 of R.A. 3844 states that:
“Section 12. Lessee's Right of Redemption - In case the landholding is sold to a third person
without the knowledge of the agricultural lessee, the latter shall have the right to redeem the
same at a reasonable price and consideration: Provided, That the entire landholding sold must be
redeemed: Provided, further, That where these are two or more agricultural lessees, each shall
be entitled to said right of redemption only to the extent of the area actually cultivated by him. The
right of redemption under this Section may be exercised within two years from the registration of
the sale, and shall have priority over any other right of legal redemption.”
If the vendee (third person) refuse to accept the lessee’s offer to redeem, the agricultural lessee
who is actual cultivator of the landholding shall file his petition with DAR through proper Regional
or Provincial Adjudicator where the land lies to compel the vendee-third person to have the land
redeemed. DAR shall initiate the redemption process. Land Bank shall make payment of the
redemption price which will be agreed upon by the parties or will be fixed by DAR. The same will
be repaid by the lessee in legitimate amortization basis.
Should the area subject of redemption be bigger that the area actually cultivated, the excess shall
be divided equally among the lessees by mutual agreement, if not, it will be decided in proper
judicial proceeding before the DARAB. The lessee has 180 days to exercise the right of
redemption. 180 days starts from time he learned of the sale of landholding by the lessor in
favour of the third person.
CARL of 1988 does not affect right of redemption of the lessee as it only repealed Section 35 or
R.A. 3844. The rest of the provisions of R.A. 3844 not contrary to CARL shall have suppletory
application.
Right to Self-organization
The farmworkers shall have the right to self-organization and form, join or assist farmworkers’
organizations of their own choosing for the purpose of collective bargaining through
representatives of their own choosing.
Comments:
The right to self – organization includes the right to strike and hold picket in order to compel the
management in the case of large scale plantations and multinational corporations to meet the
demands of the farm workers for wage increase and better working conditions.
Comments:
The provisions are corollary to the right to self-organization, and includes the right to strike and
hold picket in order to compel the management in the case of large-scale plantations and
multinational corporations doing business in the Philippines to meet the demands of the
farmworkers for wage increase and better working conditions
Under this section, suspension, dismissal or lay-off is enjoined of any farmworker who is a
member of a farmers’ association or group that has served a copy of a petition or complaint on
the employer or manager of a farm enterprise on any matter, like demand for wage increase or
better working conditions that may cause a strike or lockout and copy of such petition or
complaint which is pending before the DAR is furnished the Secretary of Labor.
Irrigation Facilities
1. Should the lessor refuse to bear the expenses, he should not be entitled to the increase
in rental and shall upon the termination of the leasehold relationship pay the lessee or his
their the reasonable value of the improvements at the time of the termination;
2. Should the lessor bear expenses he shall be entitled to an increase in the rental
proportionate to the resultant increase in production.
1. 25% of the average normal harvest – shall be the amount of rental for ricelands or
estimated normal harvest during the three (3) agricultural years immediately preceding
the establishment of the leasehold after deducting the expenses for seeds, cost of
harvesting, threshing, loading, hauling and processing;
2. Average normal harvest for three (3) preceding years.
3. No agreement as to rental – the court (now DAR) shall fix a provisional rental until fixed
rental is determined within (30) days from submission of the case for decision.
Whatever balance remaining after crediting as amortization the rental paid, the same may be
finances by the Land Bank in the same ratio and mode of payment provided under Section 80 of
the Code.
Default on the Part of the Lessee: Should the lessee incur default in the payment of at least
three (3) installments on the loan, the lender shall immediately notify the Land Bank and the DAR
so that appropriate steps shall be taken by these agencies:
a) to answer for the default in case the failure is due to fortuitous event
b) to take over the ownership and administration of the landholding.
Where the case of the default is attributable to the lessee, the DAR shall endeavor to substitute
the defaulting amortization owner. In case the default is due to fortuitous event, the Land Bank
shall assume the payment of the balance and the farmer shall be released from his obligation.
Purchase payment of the landholding in favor of the agricultural lessee may consist
of:
1. Cash payment
- 10 %
- Balance payable by LBP bonds at 6% interest per annum
- Tax free to mature after 25 years
2. Balance payable in LBP bonds
- 6% per annum
- Tax free to mature after 25 years
Amortizing owners whose lands have been surveyed:
- May avail of the assistance of the Land Registration Commission and the Bureau
of Lands in the approval of the corresponding certificates of title with the
encumbrance duly annotated.
Certificate of title:
- The lessee will be held criminally liable by default if any of the following is violated:
Period of Prescription
An action to enforce any cause of action accruing under this Code (R.A. No. 3844) shall be
brought within the period of three (3) years.
GROUP 2 Members:
Basallaje, Marlon V.
Camposuela, Mark Anthony B.
Colipano, Aprille G.
Corpuz, Ma. Visitacion C.
Dacanay, Joshua Benjamin T.
Diaz, Nathaniel N.
Dioquino, John Freko B.
Domatog, Mary Grace P.
Gasatan, Marieshem L.
Isubol, Donna Cel A.
Mendoza, John Maxwel
Memoracion, Michael Angelo L.
Zagado, Simon Peter S.