THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) has welcomed the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement’s approval of Senate Bill No. 70 (SBN 70), a measure aimed at improving legal remedies for underprivileged and homeless citizens facing eviction.
SBN 70 seeks to exempt qualified poor families from posting a supersede as bond when appealing ejectment cases. Under Republic Act No. 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, a supersedeas bond serves as a financial guarantee required to stay the execution of an eviction order while an appeal is ongoing.
PCUP emphasized that for low-income households, the cost of this bond creates an insurmountable financial barrier to seeking higher court review.
PCUP Chairperson and CEO Undersecretary Michelle Anne B. Gonzales stated that the measure ensures the right to appeal is not restricted by financial capacity.
“For a poor family facing eviction, the cost of posting a supersedeas bond c an become an insurmountable barrier to seeking justice. SBN 70 recognizes that the right to appeal should not depend on one’s capacity to pay,” Gonzales said. “Hindi hadlang ang kahirapan sa karapatan sa hustisya.”
The commission clarified that the bill does not intend to hinder lawful court decisions or property rights.
Instead, it balances property rights with constitutional protections for vulnerable sectors by allowing government agencies and local government units (LGUs) time to execute proper social preparation, family validation, and humane relocation planning before any eviction takes place.
The PCUP’s position aligns with Commission En Banc Resolution No. OC-CS-CR12, adopted under the leadership of Gonzales alongside Commissioners Emmanuel Gison, Bret Monsanto, Remedios Chan, and Reynaldo Galupo.
Reaffirming its support for the measure, the PCUP expressed gratitude to the Senate panel and called for the bill’s swift passage into law to ensure housing justice, security of tenure, and due process for urban poor communities nationwide.