ASSOCIATION OF SMALL LANDOWNERS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC.

,
vs.
HONORABLE SECRETARY OF AGRARIAN REFORM G.R. No. 78742 July 14, 1989
FACTS:
The Association of Small Landowners in the Philippines, Inc. sought exception from the land distribution scheme
provided for in R.A. 6657. The Association is comprised of landowners of ricelands and cornlands whose
landholdings do not exceed 7 hectares. They invoke that since their landholdings are less than 7 hectares, they
should not be forced to distribute their land to their tenants under R.A. 6657 for they themselves have shown
willingness to till their own land. In short, they want to be exempted from agrarian reform program because they
claim to belong to a different class.
ASLTP HON. SEC.
sought exception from the land distribution The Association have not shown that they belong to a different class
scheme provided for in R.A. 6657. The and entitled to a different treatment. The argument that not only
Association is comprised of landowners of landowners but also owners of other properties must be made to
ricelands and cornlands whose share the burden of implementing land reform must be rejected. There
landholdings do not exceed 7 hectares. is a substantial distinction between these two classes of owners that is
invoke that since their landholdings are clearly visible except to those who will not see. There is no need to
less than 7 hectares, they should not be elaborate on this matter. In any event, the Congress is allowed a wide
forced to distribute their land to their leeway in providing for a valid classification. Its decision is accorded
tenants under R.A. 6657 for they recognition and respect by the courts of justice except only where its
themselves have shown willingness to till discretion is abused to the detriment of the Bill of Rights. In the
their own land. contrary, it appears that Congress is right in classifying small
they want to be exempted from agrarian landowners as part of the agrarian reform program.
reform program because they claim to
belong to a different class.
ISSUE HELD RATIO
Whether or not No. The Association had not shown any proof that they belong to a
there was a different class exempt from the agrarian reform program. Under the
violation of the law, classification has been defined as the grouping of persons or
equal protection things similar to each other in certain particulars and different from
clause. each other in these same particulars. To be valid, it must conform to
the following requirements:
(1) it must be based on substantial distinctions;
(2) it must be germane to the purposes of the law;
(3) it must not be limited to existing conditions only; and
(4) it must apply equally to all the members of the class.

Equal protection simply means that all persons or things similarly situated must be treated alike both as to the rights
conferred and the liabilities imposed.

RA 6657
CARP, or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, is the redistribution of public and private agricultural lands to
farmers and farmworkers who are landless, irrespective of tenurial arrangement. CARPs vision is to have an equitable land
ownership with empowered agrarian reform beneficiaries who can effectively manage their economic and social
development to have a better quality of life.

One of the major programs of CARP is Land Tenure Improvement, which seeks to hasten distribution of lands to landless
farmers. Similarly, the Department offers Support Services to the beneficiaries such as infrastructure facilities, marketing
assistance program, credit assistance program, and technical support programs. Furthermore, the department seeks to
facilitate, resolve cases and deliver Agrarian Justice.

The legal basis for CARP is the Republic Act No. 6657 otherwise known as Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL)
signed by President Corazon C. Aquino on June 10, 1988. It is an act which aims to promote social justice and
industrialization, providing the mechanism for its implementation, and for other purposes.