Aliens cannot buy land or practice profession

Aliens cannot acquire land in the Philippines.

Save in cases of hereditary succession, the 1987 Constitution provides that no private land shall be transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain. (Section 7, Article 12, 1987 Constitution) This, however, is not set on stone as the Constitution itself provides an exceptions. It says that, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7, a natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private lands, subject to limitations provided by law. (Section 8, Article 12, 1987 Constitution) The limitation provided by law is that if such former natural-born citizen acquires land in Metro Manila, he can do so but not exceeding 5,000 square meters. If outside, the limit is three (3) hectares. It can be acquired for all purposes. (Albano)

Lands of the public domain, which include private lands, may be transferred or conveyed only to individuals or entities qualified to acquire or hold private lands or lands of the public domain. Aliens, whether individuals or corporations, have been disqualified from acquiring lands of the public domain. Hence, they have also been disqualified from acquiring private lands. (G.R. No. 143958, July 11, 2003)

Aliens cannot practice their professions in the Philippines.

The 1987 Constitution says that the practice of all professions in the Philippines shall be limited to Filipino citizens, save in cases provided by law. (Section 14, Article 12) They cannot also operate public utilities. (Section 11, Article 12) In Cheesman vs. Intermediate Appellate Court (G.R. No. 74833, January 21, 1991), it was held that if a foreigner marries a Filipino and out of conjugal funds, a private land is acquired by them, the same cannot form part of their community of property because the foreigner is disqualified from acquiring lands in the Philippines.