Did your friend have anything agreed in writing and signed by his wife and himself?
Pretty sure it doesnt matter what she may have signed Terpe..
There is an anti sham/dummy law that the courts will use to make ANY such agreements null and void..
Its there to protect the bit in the R.P constitution that stipulates the Foreigners cannot own land.

Some good info in these links..http://philfaqs.com/live-there/land-...your-own-home/
http://philfaqs.com/live-there/why-i...-house-part-4/