Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 316)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 316 is to prohibit the ejectment of tenant-farmers from their farmholdings devoted primarily to rice and corn until the rights of the tenant-farmers and landowners are determined under the rules implementing Presidential Decree No. 27.
PD No. 316 primarily applies to agricultural lands devoted to rice and corn.
No, tenant-farmers cannot be ejected or removed from their farmholdings pending the determination of rights according to the rules and regulations implementing PD No. 27.
The Secretary of Agrarian Reform is given the authority to certify whether an ejectment case is a proper case for trial or hearing by a court or other competent official.
Judges of the Court of Agrarian Relations, Court of First Instance, municipal or city courts, other tribunals, or fiscal officers shall not take cognizance of any ejectment cases without certification from the Secretary of Agrarian Reform.
Such cases must first be referred to the Secretary of Agrarian Reform or his authorized representative for preliminary determination before proceeding to courts or any hearing officers.
All government officials are directed to exert efforts to maintain the status quo in the relationship between tenant-farmers and landowners as previously instructed in Presidential instructions.
Yes, all provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that conflict or are inconsistent with PD No. 316 are repealed or modified accordingly.
The provisions took effect immediately upon issuance on October 22, 1973.