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Act 1508 - Chattel Mortgage Law (1906)

Philippine lawLegal status not independently verified

In brief

AI summary. Verify against the source below.

The Chattel Mortgage Law allows personal property to be used as security for a debt. It sets rules for how the mortgage must be written, recorded, and enforced, and outlines the rights and duties of both mortgagor and mortgagee.

Who it affects: It applies to any owner of personal property who mortgages that property and to anyone who receives a security interest in such property.

Key provisions

  • Definition of chattel mortgage. A chattel mortgage is a conditional sale of personal property that secures a debt; the sale becomes void when the debt is paid or the condition is fulfilled. [Sec. 3]
  • Scope of property. All personal property can be mortgaged under this Act. [Sec. 2]
  • Validity against third parties. The mortgage is enforceable against anyone other than the mortgagor only if the mortgagor gives possession to the mortgagee or the mortgage is recorded in the register of deeds of the mortgagor’s province (and also the property’s province if different). [Sec. 4]
  • Form and registration requirements. The mortgage must be in writing, signed by the parties, witnessed by two people, accompanied by an affidavit and a notarized oath, and then recorded with the register of deeds. [Sec. 5]
  • Prohibition on removal, sale or pledge. The mortgagor may not move the mortgaged property out of the province, sell it, or pledge it without the mortgagee’s written consent. [Sec. 9, Sec. 10]
  • Foreclosure sale procedure. If the condition is broken, the mortgagee may sell the property at public auction after 30 days, with at least ten days’ notice, and the proceeds first pay costs, then the debt, and any surplus goes to later mortgagees or the mortgagor. [Sec. 14]
  • Redemption rights. The mortgagor or any holder of a later mortgage can redeem the property by paying the amount due and reasonable costs incurred before the sale. [Sec. 13]
  • Penalties for violations. Violating the removal, sale, or second‑mortgage rules can result in a fine equal to double the property’s value, imprisonment up to six months, or both, at the court’s discretion. [Sec. 12]

Common questions

What is a chattel mortgage?
It is a conditional sale of personal property used as security for a debt; the sale is cancelled when the debt is paid or the condition is performed. [Sec. 3]
When does a chattel mortgage bind third parties?
Only when the mortgagor gives possession to the mortgagee or when the mortgage is recorded in the appropriate register of deeds as required by law. [Sec. 4]
What documents are needed to create a valid chattel mortgage?
A written mortgage signed by the parties, two witnesses, an accompanying affidavit, a notarized oath, and the whole must be recorded with the register of deeds. [Sec. 5]
Can the mortgagor sell or move the mortgaged property without permission?
No. The mortgagor may not sell, pledge, or remove the property from the province without the mortgagee’s written consent. [Sec. 9, Sec. 10]
What happens if the mortgagor defaults on the condition?
After thirty days, the mortgagee may sell the property at public auction following notice requirements; proceeds are applied to costs, the debt, and any surplus to later mortgagees or the mortgagor. [Sec. 14]
How can a mortgagor redeem the property after default?
By paying the amount due on the mortgage plus reasonable costs incurred before the sale, the mortgagor or a holder of a subsequent mortgage can redeem the property. [Sec. 13]
What penalties apply for violating the Act’s provisions?
Violators may be fined double the value of the property, imprisoned for up to six months, or both, at the court’s discretion. [Sec. 12]
Who keeps the official records of chattel mortgages?
Each register of deeds maintains a book of chattel mortgage records, issues certified copies on payment of fees, and makes the records open to public inspection. [Sec. 15]

Legal information, not legal advice

Tatsulok checks that this text faithfully reproduces its published source, but Tatsulok is not an official publisher and does not independently verify whether the text is currently in force, amended, or repealed. Always confirm against an official source, such as the Official Gazette or the issuing government authority, before relying on it. This is legal information for study, not legal advice. For your situation, consult a lawyer or Philippine legal aid.