You can file a blotter against someone who’s trying to abolish your homeowners association (HOA) in the Philippines—but whether you should, and what it will actually achieve, depends a lot on what exactly that person is doing.

Here’s a full walkthrough of the legal landscape, in article form.

1. Framing the Question

Issue:

Can a homeowner file a blotter against a person who is actively trying to abolish or dissolve the homeowners association?

At first glance, it feels like a simple yes-or-no question. But in Philippine law, the answer depends on:

The nature of the act – Is the person peacefully campaigning to abolish the HOA, or are they using threats, falsification, or harassment?
The forum – Are you going to the barangay or the police?
The real dispute – Is this a criminal issue (threats, coercion, forgery, etc.) or an association governance issue (who gets to decide, what the bylaws say, etc.)?

To understand how blotters fit in, we first need to clarify what a blotter really is.

2. What Is a “Blotter” in Philippine Practice?

2.1 Barangay Blotter

A barangay blotter is an official logbook at the barangay hall where incidents, complaints, and disputes are recorded. Examples include:

Neighbors’ quarrels
Minor assaults or threats
Harassment, disturbances
Property-related disputes within the barangay

Key points:

It is not yet a court case. It’s a record and often the first step in the Katarungang Pambarangay (barangay justice) conciliation process.
The barangay may summon the parties for mediation or conciliation.
For disputes between residents of the same city/municipality, barangay conciliation is generally a condition precedent before filing certain cases in court (with some exceptions).

2.2 Police Blotter

A police blotter is a log at a police station where:

Crimes, incidents, and complaints are recorded for investigation purposes.
It can later support filing a criminal complaint or being used as evidence that something was reported.

Again, the blotter entry itself is not a conviction or even a formal criminal case. It’s documentation.

3. Legal Framework for Homeowners Associations in the Philippines

3.1 RA 9904 – Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations

Homeowners associations are primarily governed by Republic Act No. 9904, the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations. Under this law:

An HOA is generally a non-stock, non-profit corporation.
It must be registered with the proper housing regulatory agency (previously HLURB, now under the housing regulatory agencies / DHSUD structure).
Members have rights to:
- Vote and participate in meetings
- Inspect certain association records
- Be informed of decisions and policies
- Elect and remove officers/board members, subject to the bylaws

3.2 Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232)

Because HOAs are corporations (usually non-stock), they are also governed by the Revised Corporation Code. This covers:

Dissolution of a corporation (voluntary or involuntary)
Voting thresholds (often 2/3 vote of members in good standing for major decisions, but check specific bylaws)
Corporate formalities like meetings, quorum, due notice, etc.

In short: “Abolishing” an HOA is really a corporate act of dissolution, and it must follow legal procedures and the association’s bylaws.

4. Is “Trying to Abolish the HOA” a Crime by Itself?

In general, no.

A homeowner, or even a group of homeowners, may:

Advocate for the dissolution of the HOA
Campaign among neighbors for signatures
Propose resolutions in formal meetings
Call for amendments to the bylaws, if allowed

These fall under:

Freedom of expression
Right to petition and participate in association affairs
Ordinary corporate governance or political activity within the HOA

Simply wanting to abolish the HOA or convincing others to support that idea is not inherently criminal.

So if the person is:

Peacefully persuading others
Calling for meetings as allowed by the bylaws
Filing formal petitions or resolutions

…then that, by itself, is not a valid ground for criminal charges or a blotter. It’s a matter for internal HOA processes, regulatory complaints, or possibly civil/intra-corporate litigation—not the criminal system.

5. When Might a Blotter Be Appropriate?

A blotter may become relevant not because of the “abolishing” itself, but because of the manner in which the person does it.

Here are scenarios where a blotter might make sense:

5.1 Threats, Harassment, or Intimidation

If the person is:

Threatening you with harm (“susunugin kita”, “papatayin kita”, etc.)
Harassing you repeatedly (e.g., stalking, late-night banging on doors, constant shouting)
Intimidating residents to sign documents

Then you may be dealing with possible offenses under the Revised Penal Code (e.g., grave threats, light threats, unjust vexation) or special laws. Filing:

A barangay blotter records the incident and may trigger mediation.
A police blotter records a possible criminal incident and may lead to further investigation.

5.2 Physical Violence or Property Damage

If the dispute escalates into:

Pushing, hitting, or physical assault
Vandalism (destroying signages, gates, or HOA facilities)
Damage to your property because you opposed their move

Those are potential crimes (e.g., physical injuries, malicious mischief). In such a case, recording the incident through a blotter is normal and prudent.

5.3 Falsification and Forgery

A very common risk in HOA battles is falsification of documents, such as:

Forged signatures on:
- Petitions for dissolution
- Attendance sheets
- Proxies or authorizations
Falsified minutes of meetings claiming a quorum or a vote that never happened

These may fall under criminal provisions on falsification of documents. A blotter can serve as a time-stamped record that you’re contesting these documents and claiming forgery.

5.4 Misuse of Funds Under the Pretext of “Abolishing” the HOA

Another angle: someone pushing abolition may also be involved in:

Misappropriating association funds
Liquidating assets in a questionable way
Diverting association money before dissolution

This could be estafa, qualified theft, or other financial crimes. Again, the blotter is a record, and the real remedy is usually a formal criminal complaint with supporting evidence.

6. Limits of a Blotter in HOA Disputes

6.1 A Blotter Is Not a Court Decision

Even if you file a blotter:

It does not automatically stop the person from campaigning to abolish the HOA.
It does not “punish” them by itself.
It is mainly documentation and, in barangay cases, an entry point to conciliation.

If the problem is who is right about the HOA’s dissolution, the blotter will not resolve that. That’s a matter of corporate governance, regulatory oversight, or court action.

6.2 Barangay vs. Intra-Corporate Disputes

Many HOA conflicts are actually intra-corporate disputes (disputes among members of the same corporation, regarding corporate affairs). Traditionally, intra-corporate disputes fall under specialized commercial courts, not barangay conciliation.

However:

Personal disputes between natural persons (e.g., “He harassed me”, “She threatened me”) can still fall under barangay jurisdiction, regardless of their corporate roles.
The corporate question (Is the dissolution valid?) may be for the courts/regulator, but the behavioral aspect (threats, harassment) can still be subject of barangay proceedings or criminal complaints.

7. Proper Legal and Administrative Remedies (Aside from a Blotter)

If your real concern is stopping an illegitimate attempt to abolish the HOA, you should look beyond blotters.

7.1 Use the HOA’s Internal Mechanisms

Check:

Bylaws – Do they specify how dissolution can be proposed, what vote is required, and how meetings must be called?
Notice Requirements – Was proper notice given to members about the meeting or resolution?
Quorum and Voting – Was there actually a quorum? Were votes properly counted? Were only members in good standing allowed to vote?

If procedures are not followed, you can:

Challenge the validity of the resolution abolishing the HOA.
Call for another meeting to reconsider or clarify decisions.
Use internal grievance or disciplinary processes if available.

7.2 File a Complaint with the Housing Regulator

You may raise violations of:

RA 9904
The HOA’s approved bylaws
Regulatory guidelines on elections, governance, and members’ rights

The regulator can:

Order compliance with bylaws and law
In some cases, issue directives, sanctions, or nullify improper actions

7.3 Go to Court (Intra-Corporate / Civil Remedies)

If the stakes are high (large funds, control of common areas, legality of dissolution), remedies can include:

Injunction to stop the implementation of an invalid dissolution
Annulment of void resolutions or contracts
Derivative suits by members on behalf of the association if the board is acting illegally
Actions for damages against those acting in bad faith

These proceedings require counsel and pleadings, so consulting a Philippine lawyer experienced in corporate and real estate/HOA matters is important.

8. Practical Guidance: What You Can Actually Do

8.1 If the Person Is Acting Peacefully but You Disagree

Do not rely on a blotter as your main weapon. It will likely be seen as overkill and might backfire socially.
Instead:
- Review the bylaws
- Attend meetings, vote, and encourage other members to be present
- Campaign within the rules for your side (keep the HOA vs. abolish the HOA)
- Document irregularities through minutes, photos, attendance sheets—not just blotter entries.

8.2 If the Person is Threatening, Harassing, or Committing Crimes

Then a blotter can be part of a defensive strategy:

Record the incident at the barangay or police station as soon as reasonably possible.
Preserve evidence – screenshots, videos, audio (where lawful), documents, witnesses.
Decide, with a lawyer’s help if possible, whether to:
- File a formal criminal complaint
- Proceed through barangay conciliation first, if applicable
- Also pursue civil or intra-corporate remedies related to the HOA.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

9.1 So, can I file a blotter against someone trying to abolish our HOA?

Yes, you can file a blotter, but:

It should be based on specific wrongful acts (threats, harassment, falsification, violence, etc.),
Not merely on the fact that they want the HOA abolished or are persuading others.

If all they’re doing is peaceful advocacy and organizing, a blotter is not the appropriate tool.

9.2 Will a blotter stop them from pushing for abolition?

Usually no. A blotter:

Does not automatically prohibit their participation in HOA affairs.
Does not cancel meetings or resolutions.
Is mainly a record and possible first step for criminal or barangay proceedings.

Stopping an invalid dissolution attempt requires legal, regulatory, and corporate remedies, not just a blotter.

9.3 Can the person I blotter sue me back?

Potentially, yes. If the complaint is clearly false, malicious, or fabricated, you could face:

Possible counter-complaints (e.g., perjury if you swear to something untrue, or countercharges like unjust vexation or harassment).
Civil liability for damages in extreme cases.

So it’s important that any blotter entry is truthful, factual, and in good faith.

9.4 What if I just want a record “for future use”?

That is one of the most common reasons people file a blotter: to document that something happened, in case of future legal action. As long as what you report is honest, this is generally acceptable. Just remember that it is not, by itself, the solution to the HOA abolition dispute.

10. Summary and Practical Takeaways

Trying to abolish an HOA is not automatically a crime. It can be a legitimate political or corporate initiative within the association.
A blotter is a record, not a court judgment. It is useful when there’s threats, harassment, fraud, violence, or other wrongful acts, not just disagreement over HOA policies.
If your concern is that the attempt to abolish the HOA is procedurally invalid or abusive, the more appropriate responses are:
- Use internal HOA mechanisms (meetings, voting, bylaws).
- File a regulatory complaint with the housing authorities.
- Pursue civil or intra-corporate cases in court, if necessary.
Filing a blotter is most appropriate when the conflict crosses into criminal behavior or personal harassment, not merely when someone has a different view on whether the HOA should exist.

Because every situation has its own documents, personalities, and history, it’s wise to consult a Philippine lawyer with your specific facts and HOA documents (bylaws, minutes, notices) so you can choose the remedy that actually protects your rights and is likely to work in practice.