Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 648)
The official title is the "Charter of the Human Settlements Regulatory Commission" as stated in Article I, Section 1.
The objectives include fostering the growth and renewal of urban and rural communities promoting optimum land use, adequate shelter, and environmental protection; ensuring optimum use of land as a national resource; and enforcing land use policies and regulations including the Urban Land Reform Program and related laws.
The term 'Commission' refers to the Human Settlements Regulatory Commission established by the Executive Order.
The Commission has the powers to promulgate zoning standards, review and approve land use plans, enforce land use policies, conduct hearings, act as appellate body on planning and zoning decisions, impose administrative fines, and issue orders to cease violations among others.
The Commission Proper is composed of nine members: the Minister of Human Settlements (or Deputy Minister as Chair), four full-time Commissioners appointed by the President (including the chief executive officer), and four ex-officio members who are Deputy Ministers or Deputy Director-General of NEDA from different government departments.
Three of the full-time Commissioners must be lawyers, and the other must have a background in planning, management, architecture, or related fields. They must have at least five years of experience in their respective professions or fields.
These include regulating the real estate trade and business, registration and licensing related to subdivision lots and condominium projects, approval of performance bonds, suspension of licenses to sell, regulation of lessor-lessee relationships, and adjudication of cases involving unsound real estate business practices.
Administrative fines not exceeding P20,000 may be imposed by the Commission. Convicted persons may face fines of up to P20,000 and/or imprisonment under prision correccional. For corporations or associations, the responsible officers are criminally liable.
Yes, decisions of the Commission are appealable to the President of the Philippines, whose decision is final except for review by the Supreme Court by certiorari or on questions of law.
The Commission may acquire, purchase, lease, mortgage, sell, or otherwise dispose of land or property, and may exercise eminent domain to acquire land necessary for prototype projects supportive of its regulatory functions.