- Most ethnic groups use bilateral inheritance systems whereby both male and female descents may inherit. Succession norms follow either the primogeniture system, by which land is inherited by the eldest male or female child, as among the Ifugao population, or the equal sharing system, by which all male and female heirs inherit equally, as it happens among the Pangasinense. The surviving spouse may not inherit, but holds the land in trust for the children (11).

- Muslim groups are patrilineal and follow patrilineal inheritance practices, where land is passed along the male line (11).