Progressive parties denounced the proposal allowing foreign investors to lease land in the Philippines for 99 years, up from 50 years. The proposal (House Bill No. 10755) was passed on December 16 with 175 votes in favor, three against, and two abstentions. The three who voted against it were from the Makabayan bloc. A similar proposal (Senate Bill No. 2898) was also passed in the Senate on the same day. In addition to extending the lease period, the proposal would allow foreign investors to sublease the land to other foreign or local investors.

“This proposal will prolong the aggregate land lease period of foreign investors from 75 years to 99 years, which will now cover agricultural lands and patrimonial properties of the state … a clear manifestation of how our current government continues to prioritize foreigners’ and big businesses’ and corporations’ interests over our local farmers and workers,” Gabriela Women’s Party’s Rep. Arlene Brosas, one of the three who voted against the proposal, said.

She noted that extending the lease period to several generations is longer than the international average life expectancy of 73 years. This violates the 1987 Constitution provisions that prohibit foreign ownership of land. The proposal also covers agricultural land held by beneficiaries.

“Behind the legalism and technicalities, it is clear to us that, in essence and practice, this proposed law will facilitate the free and monopolistic use and control of our land by foreigners for an extended period,” Brosas said. “On paper, they are just leasing, but they have the right to use, control, and now even sublease Philippine land for 99 years.”

She said that this arrangement will harm farmers the most. “We have already seen this in the Philippines—widespread land grabbing, harassment, and eviction of farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries.”

This will not lead to economic development, she argued.

“This representative believes that the only way to promote genuine and mass-oriented development is by implementing genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization in the country thereby achieving a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos,” Brosas stated in her speech in Congress explaining her “NO” vote.