The above information is correct, the foreign spouse has little or no rights in the Philippines, sadly and rather predictably the Philippines has on reflection and due to its protectionist constitution some fo the most unfavourable and downright prejudicial laws regarding property ownership.

For example, forget that the foreign spouse has probably worked his a... off to buy a property in the Philippines for the comfort of himself and his wife, I know of many cases over the years, where foreign spouses, many of them British nationals who have been led a merry song and dance over Filipino constitutional matters regarding the ownership of real estate, the stories too numerous to mention here, that all lead to unhappy and rather expensive endings.

The problem of relatives who lets face it have never owned anything in their life, and the thought and prospect of getting a nice property left from the unfortunate demise of their female relative is just too much to pass by, especially if they are advised that a foreigner who has slaved to build the property, has no rights whatsoever.

Remember, the Philippines does not conform to any form of decent Western style free market with regards to real estate and property, if the situation was reversed, Filipinos in the UK are quite able to buy land, have a mortgage be joint owners of their husbands properties, and indeed to buy such property jointly and severally liable for such holdings, and receive in any divorce matter their own substancial share of any proceeds, they are fact treated under UK law as equal partners.

In the UK market forces of supply and demand and the right to own and acquire land by foreigners is not restricted by UK law, nor do we have such a constitution in the UK to prevent foreigners from acquiring land and property.

British nationals especially and specifically those members of this forum who are comtemplating buying or building property in the Philippines should take sharp note of the Filipino constitution and investigate very thoroughly their position when they part with their hard earned life savings or income towards such a purchase, because they have actually no rights whatsoever, the only saving measure for them is if they have children via the said marriage, which will act as heirs and successors of any property purchase, if their are no heirs, then the property can be divided between any surviving Filipino relatives, this will in most cases create divisions and resentment, especially if the poor British national is living in the house at the time.

There has been a case recently in Thailand, where a British national had spent over £50,000 building a house onto a lot he had purchased, when the said relationship with the Thai girl got into trouble and she left him to go back to Pattaya, the British national found himself subject to the will of the relatives who demanded money for him to remain within the property, rather than leave it to them, he decided to arrange for a Bull dozer to flatten the house, all legal of course since all the bills for materials were shown to Thai Police, prior to arranging the house demolition.

Lets hope none of our members have to resort to this, just ensure you know exactly where you stand and are prepared to accept this.