I dont know if this bit of news from a Phil realtor is any good,
but it might appease your fears a bit...




Real Estate Law in the Philippines

This is a complex subject that changes; you will always need to consult a Cebu Realtor to check the latest developments. To give a general idea however, here are some guidelines.

Non-Filipinos (foreigners) who are NOT married to a Filipino:

- you can own a house but not the land it stands on; you can lease the land or form a corporation. The corporation is to be 40% foreign-owned (maximum) and 60% Filipino-owned (minimum), and with at least five incorporators. Upon incorporation, a main bank account should be tied to it. A foreign national may be the sole person in the bank account, allowing him/her total control over the funds derived from the corporation and the income or sale of the asset or property.
- you can however own a condominium unit or townhouse unit.

Non-Filipinos (foreigners) who are married to a Filipino:

- your spouse can own property. This means that when your husband/wife dies, you as the natural heir will become the legal owner of his/her property. The same is true for the children. Every natural child (legitimate or illegitimate) can inherit the property of his/her Filipino father/mother even if he/she does not have any Filipino citizenship.

I don't know how often they move the goalposts there, or how far.....
so you have to make some more enquiries. but this comes from a realtor website.
Sorry i cannot be of more help.

Dom