January 9, 1973
MEMORANDUM
TO : All Regional Directors
We have received reports that there are many landowners who are ejecting their tenants in violation of the status quo order of the President. Status quo means that the relations between the landowner and the tenant should be leasehold not sure tenancy. Among the methods of ejectment of tenants by landowners are:
1. Retention of seven (7) hectares as provided by Presidential Decree No. 27. This is not yet being implemented because the rules and regulations are not yet issued. Tenants should still remain in the farm they are tilling and should not be ejected. However, tenants should also pay their lease rentals.
2. Some landowners are forcing their tenants to sign as farm laborers to evade Presidential Decree No. 27. This is illegal.
3. Some landowners are now subdividing their farms among their children as heirs after October 21, 1972. There should be no division of property after October 21, 1972. If not yet subdivided among the heirs before October 21, 1972, the property is considered under one ownership.
4. Some landowners file criminal charges against their tenants to coerce them to leave the farm.
There are other methods used which are too many to list. All these ejectment of tenants is in violation to Department of Agrarian Reform orders and the President to maintain status quo until the rules and regulations implementing Presidential Decree No. 27 shall have been issued.
Request that you seek the assistance of the PC Provincial Commanders and Provincial Fiscals regarding these matters to give justice to all.
(SGD.) CONRADO F. ESTRELLA
Secretary