AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED CORPORATION CODE OF THE

PHILIPPINES
(REPUBLIC ACT NO . 11232)

TITLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
DEFINITIONS AND CLASSIFICATIONS

Section 1. Title of the Code. – This Code shall be known as the “Revised Corporation Code of the
Philippines”.

Section 2. Corporation Defined. – A corporation is an artificial being created by operation of law,

having the right of succession and the powers, attributes, and properties expressly authorized by law or
incidental to its existence.

Section 3. Classes of Corporations. – Corporations formed or organized under this Code may be stock
or nonstock corporations. Stock corporations are those which have capital stock divided into shares and
are authorized to distribute to the holders of such shares, dividends, or allotments of the surplus profits
on the basis of the shares held. All other corporations are nonstock corporations.

Section 4. Corporations Created by Special Laws or Charters. – Corporations created by special laws
or charters shall be governed primarily by the provisions of the special law or charter creating them or
applicable to them, supplemented by the provisions of this Code, insofar as they are applicable.

Section 5. Corporators and Incorporators, Stockholders and Members. – Corporators are those who
compose a corporation, whether as stockholders or shareholders in a stock corporation or as members
in a nonstock corporation. Incorporators are those stockholders or members mentioned in the articles of
incorporation as originally forming and composing the corporation and who are signatories thereof.

Section 6. Classification of Shares. – The classification of shares, their corresponding rights, privileges,
or restrictions, and their stated par value, if any, must be indicated in the articles of incorporation. Each
share shall be equal in all respects to every other share, except as otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation and in the certificate of stock.

The shares in stock corporations may be divided into classes or series of shares, or both. No share may
be deprived of voting rights except those classified and issued as “preferred” or “redeemable” shares,
unless otherwise provided in this Code: Provided, That there shall always be a class or series of shares
with complete voting rights.

Holders of nonvoting shares shall nevertheless be entitled to vote on the following matters:

(a) Amendment of the articles of incorporation;

(b) Adoption and amendment of bylaws;
(c) Sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the corporate property;
(d) Incurring, creating, or increasing bonded indebtedness;
(e) Increase or decrease of authorized capital stock;

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 (f) Merger or consolidation of the corporation with another corporation or other corporations;
(g) Investment of corporate funds in another corporation or business in accordance with this
Code; and
(h) Dissolution of the corporation.

Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, the vote required under this Code to
approve a particular corporate act shall be deemed to refer only to stocks with voting rights.

The shares or series of shares may or may not have a par value: Provided, That banks, trust, insurance,
and preneed companies, public utilities, building and loan associations, and other corporations
authorized to obtain or access funds from the public, whether publicly listed or not, shall not be
permitted to issue no-par value shares of stock.

Preferred shares of stock issued by a corporation may be given preference in the distribution of
dividends and in the distribution of corporate assets in case of liquidation, or such other preferences:
Provided, That preferred shares of stock may be issued only with a stated par value. The board of
directors, where authorized in the articles of incorporation, may fix the terms and conditions of
preferred shares of stock or any series thereof: Provided, further, That such terms and conditions shall
be effective upon filing of a certificate thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”.

Shares of capital stock issued without par value shall be deemed fully paid and nonassessable and the
holder of such shares shall not be liable to the corporation or to its creditors in respect thereto:
Provided, That no-par value shares must be issued for a consideration of at least Five pesos (P5.00) per
share: Provided, further, That the entire consideration received by the corporation for its no-par value
shares shall be treated as capital and shall not be available for distribution as dividends.

A corporation may further classify its shares for the purpose of ensuring compliance with constitutional
or legal requirements.

Section 7. Founders’ Shares. – Founders’ shares may be given certain rights and privileges not enjoyed
by the owners of other stocks. Where the exclusive right to vote and be voted for in the election of
directors is granted, it must be for a limited period not to exceed five (5) years from the date of
incorporation: Provided, That such exclusive right shall not be allowed if its exercise will violate
Commonwealth Act No. 108, otherwise known as the “Anti-Dummy Law”; Republic Act No. 7042,
otherwise known as the “Foreign Investments Act of 1991”; and other pertinent laws.

Section 8. Redeemable Shares. – Redeemable shares may be issued by the corporation when expressly
provided in the articles of incorporation. They are shares which may be purchased by the corporation
from the holders of such shares upon the expiration of a fixed period, regardless of the existence of
unrestricted retained earnings in the books of the corporation, and upon such other terms and conditions
stated in the articles of incorporation and the certificate of stock representing the shares, subject to rules
and regulations issued by the Commission.

Section 9. Treasury shares. – Treasury shares are shares of stock which have been issued and fully paid
for, but subsequently reacquired by the issuing corporation through purchase, redemption, donation, or
some other lawful means. Such shares may again be disposed of for a reasonable price fixed by the

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board of directors.
TITLE II
INCORPORATION AND ORGANIZATION OF
PRIVATE CORPORATIONS

Section 10. Number and Qualifications of Incorporators. – Any person, partnership, association or
corporation, singly or jointly with others but not more than fifteen (15) in number, may organize a
corporation for any lawful purpose or purposes: Provided, That natural persons who are licensed to
practice a profession, and partnerships or associations organized for the purpose of practicing a
profession, shall not be allowed to organize as a corporation unless otherwise provided under special
laws. Incorporators who are natural persons must be of legal age.

Each incorporator of a stock corporation must own or be a subscriber to at least one (1) share of the
capital stock.

A corporation with a single stockholder is considered a One Person Corporation as described in Title
XIII, Chapter III of this Code.

Section 11. Corporate Term. – A corporation shall have perpetual existence unless its articles of
incorporation provides otherwise.

Corporations with certificates of incorporation issued prior to the effectivity of this Code, and which
continue to exist, shall have perpetual existence, unless the corporation, upon a vote of its stockholders
representing a majority of its outstanding capital stock, notifies the Commission that it elects to retain
its specific corporate term pursuant to its articles of incorporation: Provided, That any change in the
corporate term under this section is without prejudice to the appraisal right of dissenting stockholders in
accordance with the provisions of this Code.

A corporate term for a specific period may be extended or shortened by amending the articles of
incorporation: Provided, That no extension may be made earlier than three (3) years prior to the
original or subsequent expiry date(s) unless there are justifiable reasons for an earlier extension as may
be determined by the Commission: Provided, further, That such extension of the corporate term shall
take effect only on the day following the original or subsequent expiry date(s).

A corporation whose term has expired may apply for a revival of its corporate existence, together with
all the rights and privileges under its certificate of incorporation and subject to all of its duties, debts
and liabilities existing prior to its revival. Upon approval by the Commission, the corporation shall be
deemed revived and a certificate of revival of corporate existence shall be issued, giving it perpetual
existence, unless its application for revival provides otherwise.

No application for revival of certificate of incorporation of banks, banking and quasi-banking

institutions, preneed, insurance and trust companies, non-stock savings and loan associations
(NSSLAs), pawnshops, corporations engaged in money service business, and other financial
intermediaries shall be approved by the Commission unless accompanied by a favorable
recommendation of the appropriate government agency.

Section 12. Minimum Capital Stock Not Required of Stock Corporations. – Stock corporations shall not

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be required to have a minimum capital stock, except as otherwise specifically provided by special law.

Section 13. Contents of the Articles of Incorporation. – All corporations shall file with the Commission
articles of incorporation in any of the official languages, duly signed and acknowledged or
authenticated, in such form and manner as may be allowed by the Commission, containing substantially
the following matters, except as otherwise prescribed by this Code or by special law:

(a) The name of the corporation;

(b) The specific purpose or purposes for which the corporation is being formed. Where a
corporation has more than one stated purpose, the articles of incorporation shall indicate the
primary purpose and the secondary purpose or purposes: Provided, That a nonstock
corporation may not include a purpose which would change or contradict its nature as such;
(c) The place where the principal office of the corporation is to be located, which must be
within the Philippines;
(d) The term for which the corporation is to exist, if the corporation has not elected perpetual
existence;
(e) The names, nationalities, and residence addresses of the incorporators;
(f) The number of directors, which shall not be more than fifteen (15) or the number of trustees
which may be more than fifteen (15);
(g) The names, nationalities, and residence addresses of persons who shall act as directors or
trustees until the first regular directors or trustees are duly elected and qualified in
accordance with this Code;
(h) If it be a stock corporation, the amount of its authorized capital stock, number of shares into
which it is divided, the par value of each, names, nationalities, and residence addresses of
the original subscribers, amount subscribed and paid by each on the subscription, and a
statement that some or all of the shares are without par value, if applicable;
(i) If it be a nonstock corporation, the amount of its capital, the names, nationalities, and
residence addresses of the contributors, and amount contributed by each; and
(j) Such other matters consistent with law and which the incorporators may deem necessary and
convenient.

An arbitration agreement may be provided in the articles of incorporation pursuant to Section 181 of
this Code.

The articles of incorporation and applications for amendments thereto may be filed with the
Commission in the form of an electronic document, in accordance with the Commission’s rules and
regulations on electronic filing.

Section 14. Form of Articles of Incorporation. – Unless otherwise prescribed by special law, the articles
of incorporation of all domestic corporations shall comply substantially with the following form:

Articles of Incorporation of
______________________
(Name of Corporation)

The undersigned incorporators, all of legal age, have voluntarily agreed to form a (stock) (nonstock)
corporation under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and certify the following:

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First: That the name of said corporation shall be “_______________, Inc., Corporation or OPC”;

Second: That the purpose or purposes for which such corporation is incorporated are: (If there is more
than one purpose, indicate primary and secondary purposes);
Third: That the principal office of the corporation is located in the City/Municipality of
______________________, Province of _______________________, Philippines;

Fourth: That the corporation shall have perpetual existence or a term of ______________ years from
the date of issuance of the certificate of incorporation;

Fifth: That the names, nationalities, and residence addresses of the incorporators of the corporation
are as follows:

Name Nationality Residence

_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________

Sixth: That the number of directors or trustees of the corporation shall be _________________; and
the names, nationalities, and residence addresses of the first directors or trustees of the corporation are
as follows:

Name Nationality Residence

_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________
_______________________ ________________________ ___________________

Seventh: That the authorized capital stock of the corporation is ______________ PESOS
(P________), divided into _____ shares with the par value of ____________ PESOS
(P_______________) per share. (In case all the shares are without par value): That the capital stock
of the corporation is __________________________ shares without par value.

(In case some shares have par value and some are without par value): That the capital stock of said
corporation consists of __________________________ shares, of which _______________________
shares have a par value of _________________ PESOS (P____________) each, and of which
_______________________ shares are without par value.

Eighth: That the number of shares of the authorized capital stock above-stated has been subscribed as
follows:

Name of Nationality No. of Shares Amount Amount Paid

Subscriber Subscribed Subscribed

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(Modify No. 8 if shares are with no-par value. In case the corporation is nonstock, Nos. 7 and 8 of the
above articles may be modified accordingly, and it is sufficient if the articles state the amount of
capital or money contributed or donated by specified persons, stating the names, nationalities, and
residence addresses of the contributors or donors and the respective amount given by each.)

Ninth: That _____________________ has been elected by the subscribers as Treasurer of the
Corporation to act as such until after the successor is duly elected and qualified in accordance with the
bylaws, that as Treasurer, authority has been given to receive in the name and for the benefit of the
corporation, all subscriptions, contributions or donations paid or given by the subscribers or members,
who certifies the information set forth in the seventh and eighth clauses above, and that the paid-up
portion of the subscription in cash and/or property for the benefit and credit of the corporation has
been duly received.

Tenth: That the incorporators undertake to change the name of the corporation immediately upon
receipt of notice from the Commission that another corporation, partnership or person has acquired a
prior right to the use of such name, that the name has been declared not distinguishable from a name
already registered or reserved for the use of another corporation, or that it is contrary to law, public
morals, good customs or public policy.

Eleventh: (Corporations which will engage in any business or activity reserved for Filipino citizens
shall provide the following):

“No transfer of stock or interest which shall reduce the ownership of Filipino citizens to less than
the required percentage of capital stock as provided by existing laws shall be allowed or permitted
to be recorded in the proper books of the corporation, and this restriction shall be indicated in all
stock certificates issued by the corporation.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed these Articles of Incorporation, this

_______ day of _____________, 20_____ in the City/Municipality of ______________________,
Province of _______________________, Republic of the Philippines.

_______________________ ________________________
___________________
_______________________ ________________________
___________________
_______________________ ________________________
___________________
_______________________ ________________________

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 ___________________
_______________________ ________________________
___________________
(Names and signatures of the incorporators)
_______________________________________
(Name and signature of Treasurer)

Section 15. Amendment of Articles of Incorporation. – Unless otherwise prescribed by this Code or by
special law, and for legitimate purposes, any provision or matter stated in the articles of incorporation
may be amended by a majority vote of the board of directors or trustees and the vote or written assent
of the stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock, without
prejudice to the appraisal right of dissenting stockholders in accordance with the provisions of this
Code. The articles of incorporation of a nonstock corporation may be amended by the vote or written
assent of majority of the trustees and at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members.

The original and amended articles together shall contain all provisions required by law to be set out in
the articles of incorporation. Amendments to the articles shall be indicated by underscoring the change
or changes made, and a copy thereof duly certified under oath by the corporate secretary and a majority
of the directors or trustees, with a statement that the amendments have been duly approved by the
required vote of the stockholders or members, shall be submitted to the Commission.

The amendments shall take effect upon their approval by the Commission or from the date of filing
with the said Commission if not acted upon within six (6) months from the date of filing for a cause not
attributable to the corporation.

Section 16. Grounds When Articles of Incorporation or Amendment May be Disapproved. – The
Commission may disapprove the articles of incorporation or any amendment thereto if the same is not
compliant with the requirements of this Code: Provided, That the Commission shall give the
incorporators, directors, trustees, or officers a reasonable time from receipt of the disapproval within
which to modify the objectionable portions of the articles or amendment. The following are grounds for
such disapproval:

(a) The articles of incorporation or any amendment thereto is not substantially in accordance with
the form prescribed herein;
(b) The purpose or purposes of the corporation are patently unconstitutional, illegal, immoral or
contrary to government rules and regulations;
(c) The certification concerning the amount of capital stock subscribed and/or paid is false; and
(d) The required percentage of Filipino ownership of the capital stock under existing laws or the
Constitution has not been complied with.

No articles of incorporation or amendment to articles of incorporation of banks, banking and quasi-

banking institutions, preneed, insurance and trust companies, NSSLAS, pawnshops, and other financial
intermediaries shall be approved by the Commission unless accompanied by a favorable
recommendation of the appropriate government agency to the effect that such articles or amendment is
in accordance with law.

Section 17. Corporate Name. – No corporate name shall be allowed by the Commission if it is not

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distinguishable from that already reserved or registered for the use of another corporation, or if such
name is already protected by law, or when its use is contrary to existing law, rules and regulations.

A name is not distinguishable even if it contains one or more of the following:

(a) The word “corporation”, “company”, “incorporated”, “limited”, “limited liability”, or an

abbreviation of one of such words; and
(b) Punctuations, articles, conjunctions, contractions, prepositions, abbreviations, different
tenses, spacing, or number of the same word or phrase.

The Commission, upon determination that the corporate name is: (1) not distinguishable from a name
already reserved or registered for the use of another corporation; (2) already protected by law; or (3)
contrary to law, rules and regulations, may summarily order the corporation to immediately cease and
desist from using such name and require the corporation to register a new one. The Commission shall
also cause the removal of all visible signages, marks, advertisements, labels, prints and other effects
bearing such corporate name. Upon the approval of the new corporate name, the Commission shall
issue a certificate of incorporation under the amended name.

If the corporation fails to comply with the Commission’s order, the Commission may hold the
corporation and its responsible directors or officers in contempt and/or hold them administratively,
civilly and/or criminally liable under this Code and other applicable laws and/or revoke the registration
of the corporation.

Section 18. Registration, Incorporation and Commencement of Corporate Existence. – A person or

group of persons desiring to incorporate shall submit the intended corporate name to the Commission
for verification. If the Commission finds that the name is distinguishable from a name already reserved
or registered for the use of another corporation, not protected by law and is not contrary to law, rules
and regulations, the name shall be reserved in favor of the incorporators. The incorporators shall then
submit their articles of incorporation and bylaws to the Commission.

If the Commission finds that the submitted documents and information are fully compliant with the
requirements of this Code, other relevant laws, rules and regulations, the Commission shall issue the
certificate of incorporation.

A private corporation organized under this Code commences its corporate existence and juridical
personality from the date the Commission issues the certificate of incorporation under its official seal
and thereupon the incorporators, stockholders/members and their successors shall constitute a body
corporate under the name stated in the articles of incorporation for the period of time mentioned
therein, unless said period is extended or the corporation is sooner dissolved in accordance with law.

Section 19. De facto Corporations. – The due incorporation of any corporation claiming in good faith
to be a corporation under this Code, and its right to exercise corporate powers, shall not be inquired
into collaterally in any private suit to which such corporation may be a party. Such inquiry may be
made by the Solicitor General in a quo warranto proceeding.

Section 20. Corporation by Estoppel. – All persons who assume to act as a corporation knowing it to be
without authority to do so shall be liable as general partners for all debts, liabilities and damages

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incurred or arising as a result thereof: Provided, however, That when any such ostensible corporation is
sued on any transaction entered by it as a corporation or on any tort committed by it as such, it shall not
be allowed to use its lack of corporate personality as a defense. Anyone who assumes an obligation to
an ostensible corporation as such cannot resist performance thereof on the ground that there was in fact
no corporation.

Section 21. Effects of Non-Use of Corporate Charter and Continuous Inoperation. – If a corporation
does not formally organize and commence its business within five (5) years from the date of its
incorporation, its certificate of incorporation shall be deemed revoked as of the day following the end
of the five (5)-year period.

However, if a corporation has commenced its business but subsequently becomes inoperative for a
period of at least five (5) consecutive years, the Commission may, after due notice and hearing, place
the corporation under delinquent status.

A delinquent corporation shall have a period of two (2) years to resume operations and comply with all
requirements that the Commission shall prescribe. Upon compliance by the corporation, the
Commission shall issue an order lifting the delinquent status. Failure to comply with the requirements
and resume operations within the period given by the Commission shall cause the revocation of the
corporation’s certificate of incorporation.

The Commission shall give reasonable notice to, and coordinate with the appropriate regulatory agency
prior to the suspension or revocation of the certificate of incorporation of companies under their special
regulatory jurisdiction.

TITLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Section 22. The Board of Directors or Trustees of a Corporation; Qualification and Term. – Unless
otherwise provided in this Code, the board of directors or trustees shall exercise the corporate powers,
conduct all business, and control all properties of the corporation.

Directors shall be elected for a term of one (1) year from among the holders of stocks registered in the
corporation’s books, while trustees shall be elected for a term not exceeding three (3) years from among
the members of the corporation. Each director and trustee shall hold office until the successor is elected
and qualified. A director who ceases to own at least one (1) share of stock or a trustee who ceases to be
a member of the corporation shall cease to be such.

The board of the following corporations vested with public interest shall have independent directors
constituting at least twenty percent (20%) of such board:

a) Corporations covered by Section 17.2 of Republic Act No. 8799, otherwise known as “The
Securities Regulation Code”, namely those whose securities are registered with the
Commission, corporations listed with an exchange or with assets of at least Fifty million
pesos (P50,000,000.00) and having two hundred (200) or more holders of shares, each
holding at least one hundred (100) shares of a class of its equity shares;
b) Banks and quasi-banks, NSSLAs, pawnshops, corporations engaged in money service

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 business, pre-need, trust and insurance companies, and other financial intermediaries; and
c) Other corporations engaged in business vested with public interest similar to the above, as
may be determined by the Commission, after taking into account relevant factors which are
germane to the objective and purpose of requiring the election of an independent director,
such as the extent of minority ownership, type of financial products or securities issued or
offered to investors, public interest involved in the nature of business operations, and other
analogous factors.

An independent director is a person who, apart from shareholdings and fees received from the
corporation, is independent of management and free from any business or other relationship which
could, or could reasonably be perceived to materially interfere with the exercise of independent
judgment in carrying out the responsibilities as a director.

Independent directors must be elected by the shareholders present or entitled to vote in absentia during
the election of directors. Independent directors shall be subject to rules and regulations governing their
qualifications, disqualifications, voting requirements, duration of term and term limit, maximum
number of board memberships and other requirements that the Commission will prescribe to strengthen
their independence and align with international best practices.

Section 23. Election of Directors or Trustees. – Except when the exclusive right is reserved for holders
of founders’ shares under Section 7 of this Code, each stockholder or member shall have the right to
nominate any director or trustee who possesses all of the qualifications and none of the
disqualifications set forth in this Code.

At all elections of directors or trustees, there must be present, either in person or through a
representative authorized to act by written proxy, the owners of majority of the outstanding capital
stock, or if there be no capital stock, a majority of the members entitled to vote. When so authorized in
the bylaws or by a majority of the board of directors, the stockholders or members may also vote
through remote communication or in absentia: Provided, That the right to vote through such modes
may be exercised in corporations vested with public interest, notwithstanding the absence of a
provision in the bylaws of such corporations.

A stockholder or member who participates through remote communication or in absentia, shall be

deemed present for purposes of quorum.

The election must be by ballot if requested by any voting stockholder or member.

In stock corporations, stockholders entitled to vote shall have the right to vote the number of shares of
stock standing in their own names in the stock books of the corporation at the time fixed in the bylaws
or where the bylaws are silent, at the time of the election. The said stockholder may: (a) vote such
number of shares for as many persons as there are directors to be elected; (b) cumulate said shares and
give one (1) candidate as many votes as the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number
of the shares owned; or (c) distribute them on the same principle among as many candidates as may be
seen fit: Provided, That the total number of votes cast shall not exceed the number of shares owned by
the stockholders as shown in the books of the corporation multiplied by the whole number of directors
to be elected: Provided, however, That no delinquent stock shall be voted. Unless otherwise provided in
the articles of incorporation or in the bylaws, members of nonstock corporations may cast as many

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votes as there are trustees to be elected but may not cast more than one (1) vote for one (1) candidate.
Nominees for directors or trustees receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

If no election is held, or the owners of majority of the outstanding capital stock or majority of the
members entitled to vote are not present in person, by proxy, or through remote communication or not
voting in absentia at the meeting, such meeting may be adjourned and the corporation shall proceed in
accordance with Section 25 of this Code.

The directors or trustees elected shall perform their duties as prescribed by law, rules of good corporate
governance, and bylaws of the corporation.

Section 24. Corporate Officers. – Immediately after their election, the directors of a corporation must
formally organize and elect: (a) a president, who must be a director; (b) a treasurer, who must be a
resident; (c) a secretary, who must be a citizen and resident of the Philippines; and (d) such other
officers as may be provided in the bylaws. If the corporation is vested with public interest, the board
shall also elect a compliance officer. The same person may hold two (2) or more positions concurrently,
except that no one shall act as president and secretary or as president and treasurer at the same time,
unless otherwise allowed in this Code.

The officers shall manage the corporation and perform such duties as may be provided in the bylaws
and/or as resolved by the board of directors.

Section 25. Report of Election of Directors, Trustees and Officers, Non-holding of Election and
Cessation from Office. – Within thirty (30) days after the election of the directors, trustees and officers
of the corporation, the secretary, or any other officer of the corporation, shall submit to the
Commission, the names, nationalities, shareholdings, and residence addresses of the directors, trustees,
and officers elected.

The non-holding of elections and the reasons therefor shall be reported to the Commission within thirty
(30) days from the date of the scheduled election. The report shall specify a new date for the election,
which shall not be later than sixty (60) days from the scheduled date.

If no new date has been designated, or if the rescheduled election is likewise not held, the Commission
may, upon the application of a stockholder, member, director or trustee, and after verification of the
unjustified non-holding of the election, summarily order that an election be held. The Commission shall
have the power to issue such orders as may be appropriate, including orders directing the issuance of a
notice stating the time and place of the election, designated presiding officer, and the record date or
dates for the determination of stockholders or members entitled to vote.

Notwithstanding any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws to the contrary, the shares of
stock or membership represented at such meeting and entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for
purposes of conducting an election under this section.

Should a director, trustee or officer die, resign or in any manner cease to hold office, the secretary, or
the director, trustee or officer of the corporation, shall, within seven (7) days from knowledge thereof,
report in writing such fact to the Commission.

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Section 26. Disqualification of Directors, Trustees or Officers. – A person shall be disqualified from
being a director, trustee or officer of any corporation if, within five (5) years prior to the election or
appointment as such, the person was:

(a) Convicted by final judgment:

(1) Of an offense punishable by imprisonment for a period exceeding six (6) years;
(2) For violating this Code; and
(3) For violating Republic Act No. 8799, otherwise known as “The Securities Regulation
Code”;

(b) Found administratively liable for any offense involving fraudulent acts; and
(c) By a foreign court or equivalent foreign regulatory authority for acts, violations or
misconduct similar to those enumerated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

The foregoing is without prejudice to qualifications or other disqualifications, which the Commission,
the primary regulatory agency, or the Philippine Competition Commission may impose in its promotion
of good corporate governance or as a sanction in its administrative proceedings.

Section 27. Removal of Directors or Trustees. – Any director or trustee of a corporation may be
removed from office by a vote of the stockholders holding or representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the outstanding capital stock, or in a nonstock corporation, by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
members entitled to vote: Provided, That such removal shall take place either at a regular meeting of
the corporation or at a special meeting called for the purpose, and in either case, after previous notice to
stockholders or members of the corporation of the intention to propose such removal at the meeting. A
special meeting of the stockholders or members for the purpose of removing any director or trustee
must be called by the secretary on order of the president, or upon written demand of the stockholders
representing or holding at least a majority of the outstanding capital stock, or a majority of the
members entitled to vote. If there is no secretary, or if the secretary, despite demand, fails or refuses to
call the special meeting or to give notice thereof, the stockholder or member of the corporation signing
the demand may call for the meeting by directly addressing the stockholders or members. Notice of the
time and place of such meeting, as well as of the intention to propose such removal, must be given by
publication or by written notice prescribed in this Code. Removal may be with or without cause:
Provided, That removal without cause may not be used to deprive minority stockholders or members of
the right of representation to which they may be entitled under Section 23 of this Code.

The Commission shall, motu proprio or upon verified complaint, and after due notice and hearing,
order the removal of a director or trustee elected despite the disqualification, or whose disqualification
arose or is discovered subsequent to an election. The removal of a disqualified director shall be without
prejudice to other sanctions that the Commission may impose on the board of directors or trustees who,
with knowledge of the disqualification, failed to remove such director or trustee.

Section 28. Vacancies in the Office of Director or Trustee; Emergency Board. – Any vacancy occurring
in the board of directors or trustees other than by removal or by expiration of term may be filled by the
vote of at least a majority of the remaining directors or trustees, if still constituting a quorum;
otherwise, said vacancies must be filled by the stockholders or members in a regular or special meeting
called for that purpose.

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When the vacancy is due to term expiration, the election shall be held no later than the day of such
expiration at a meeting called for that purpose. When the vacancy arises as a result of removal by the
stockholders or members, the election may be held on the same day of the meeting authorizing the
removal and this fact must be so stated in the agenda and notice of said meeting. In all other cases, the
election must be held no later than forty-five (45) days from the time the vacancy arose. A director or
trustee elected to fill a vacancy shall be referred to as replacement director or trustee and shall serve
only for the unexpired term of the predecessor in office.

However, when the vacancy prevents the remaining directors from constituting a quorum and
emergency action is required to prevent grave, substantial, and irreparable loss or damage to the
corporation, the vacancy may be temporarily filled from among the officers of the corporation by
unanimous vote of the remaining directors or trustees. The action by the designated director or trustee
shall be limited to the emergency action necessary, and the term shall cease within a reasonable time
from the termination of the emergency or upon election of the replacement director or trustee,
whichever comes earlier. The corporation must notify the Commission within three (3) days from the
creation of the emergency board, stating therein the reason for its creation.

Any directorship or trusteeship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors or

trustees shall be filled only by an election at a regular or at a special meeting of stockholders or
members duly called for the purpose, or in the same meeting authorizing the increase of directors or
trustees if so stated in the notice of the meeting. In all elections to fill vacancies under this section, the
procedure set forth in Sections 23 and 25 of this Code shall apply.

Section 29. Compensation of Directors or Trustees. – In the absence of any provision in the bylaws
fixing their compensation, the directors or trustees shall not receive any compensation in their capacity
as such, except for reasonable per diems: Provided however, That the stockholders representing at least
a majority of the outstanding capital stock or majority of the members may grant directors or trustees
with compensation and approve the amount thereof at a regular or special meeting.

In no case shall the total yearly compensation of directors exceed ten (10%) percent of the net income
before income tax of the corporation during the preceding year.

Directors or trustees shall not participate in the determination of their own per diems or compensation.
Corporations vested with public interest shall submit to their shareholders and the Commission, an
annual report of the total compensation of each of their directors or trustees.

Section 30. Liability of Directors, Trustees or Officers. – Directors or trustees who willfully and
knowingly vote for or assent to patently unlawful acts of the corporation or who are guilty of gross
negligence or bad faith in directing the affairs of the corporation or acquire any personal or pecuniary
interest in conflict with their duty as such directors or trustees shall be liable jointly and severally for
all damages resulting therefrom suffered by the corporation, its stockholders or members and other
persons.

A director, trustee, or officer shall not attempt to acquire, or acquire any interest adverse to the
corporation in respect of any matter which has been reposed in them in confidence, and upon which,
equity imposes a disability upon themselves to deal in their own behalf; otherwise the said director,

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trustee, or officer shall be liable as a trustee for the corporation and must account for the profits which
otherwise would have accrued to the corporation.

Section 31. Dealings of Directors, Trustees or Officers with the Corporation. – A contract of the
corporation with (1) one or more of its directors, trustees, officers or their spouses and relatives within
the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity is voidable, at the option of such corporation, unless
all the following conditions are present:

(a) The presence of such director or trustee in the board meeting in which the contract was
approved was not necessary to constitute a quorum for such meeting;
(b) The vote of such director or trustee was not necessary for the approval of the contract;
(c) The contract is fair and reasonable under the circumstances;
(d) In case of corporations vested with public interest, material contracts are approved by at
least two-thirds (2/3) of the entire membership of the board, with at least a majority of the
independent directors voting to approve the material contract; and
(e) In case of an officer, the contract has been previously authorized by the board of directors.

Where any of the first three (3) conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph is absent, in the case of a
contract with a director or trustee, such contract may be ratified by the vote of the stockholders
representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock or of at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the members in a meeting called for the purpose: Provided, That full disclosure of the adverse interest
of the directors or trustees involved is made at such meeting and the contract is fair and reasonable
under the circumstances.

Section 32. Contracts Between Corporations with Interlocking Directors. – Except in cases of fraud,
and provided the contract is fair and reasonable under the circumstances, a contract between two (2) or
more corporations having interlocking directors shall not be invalidated on that ground alone: Provided,
That if the interest of the interlocking director in one (1) corporation is substantial and the interest in
the other corporation or corporations is merely nominal, the contract shall be subject to the provisions
of the preceding section insofar as the latter corporation or corporations are concerned.

Stockholdings exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding capital stock shall be considered
substantial for purposes of interlocking directors.

Section 33. Disloyalty of a Director. – Where a director, by virtue of such office, acquires a business
opportunity which should belong to the corporation, thereby obtaining profits to the prejudice of such
corporation, the director must account for and refund to the latter all such profits, unless the act has
been ratified by a vote of the stockholders owning or representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
outstanding capital stock. This provision shall be applicable, notwithstanding the fact that the director
risked one’s own funds in the venture.

Section 34. Executive, Management, and Other Special Committees. – If the bylaws so provide, the
board may create an executive committee composed of at least three (3) directors. Said committee may
act, by majority vote of all its members, on such specific matters within the competence of the board, as
may be delegated to it in the bylaws or by majority vote of the board, except with respect to the: (a)
approval of any action for which shareholders’ approval is also required; (b) filling of vacancies in the
board; (c) amendment or repeal of bylaws or the adoption of new bylaws; (d) amendment or repeal of

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any resolution of the board which by its express terms is not amendable or repealable; and (e)
distribution of cash dividends to the shareholders.

The board of directors may create special committees of temporary or permanent nature and determine
the members’ term, composition, compensation, powers, and responsibilities.
TITLE IV
POWERS OF CORPORATIONS

Section 35. Corporate Powers and Capacity. – Every corporation incorporated under this Code has the
power and capacity:
(a) To sue and be sued in its corporate name;
(b) To have perpetual existence unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise;
(c) To adopt and use a corporate seal;
(d) To amend its articles of incorporation in accordance with the provisions of this Code;
(e) To adopt bylaws, not contrary to law, morals or public policy, and to amend or repeal the
same in accordance with this Code;
(f) In case of stock corporations, to issue or sell stocks to subscribers and to sell treasury stocks
in accordance with the provisions of this Code; and to admit members to the corporation if it
be a nonstock corporation;
(g) To purchase, receive, take or grant, hold, convey, sell, lease, pledge, mortgage, and
otherwise deal with such real and personal property, including securities and bonds of other
corporations, as the transaction of the lawful business of the corporation may reasonably and
necessarily require, subject to the limitations prescribed by law and the Constitution;
(h) To enter into a partnership, joint venture, merger, consolidation, or any other commercial
agreement with natural and juridical persons;
(i) To make reasonable donations, including those for the public welfare or for hospital,
charitable, cultural, scientific, civic, or similar purposes: Provided, That no foreign
corporation shall give donations in aid of any political party or candidate or for purposes of
partisan political activity;
(j) To establish pension, retirement, and other plans for the benefit of its directors, trustees,
officers, and employees; and
(k) To exercise such other powers as may be essential or necessary to carry out its purpose or
purposes as stated in the articles of incorporation.

Section 36. Power to Extend or Shorten Corporate Term. – A private corporation may extend or shorten
its term as stated in the articles of incorporation when approved by a majority vote of the board of
directors or trustees, and ratified at a meeting by the stockholders or members representing at least two-
thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock or of its members. Written notice of the proposed action and
the time and place of the meeting shall be sent to stockholders or members at their respective place of
residence as shown in the books of the corporation, and must either be deposited to the addressee in the
post office with postage prepaid, served personally, or when allowed in the bylaws or done with the
consent of the stockholder, sent electronically in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission on the use of electronic data messages. In case of extension of corporate term, a dissenting
stockholder may exercise the right of appraisal under the conditions provided in this Code.

Section 37. Power to Increase or Decrease Capital Stock; Incur, Create or Increase Bonded
Indebtedness. – No corporation shall increase or decrease its capital stock or incur, create or increase

15
any bonded indebtedness unless approved by a majority vote of the board of directors and by two-thirds
(2/3) of the outstanding capital stock at a stockholders’ meeting duly called for the purpose. Written
notice of the time and place of the stockholders’ meeting and the purpose for said meeting must be sent
to the stockholders at their places of residence as shown in the books of the corporation and served on
the stockholders personally, or through electronic means recognized in the corporation’s bylaws and/or
the Commission’s rules as a valid mode for service of notices.

A certificate must be signed by a majority of the directors of the corporation and countersigned by the
chairperson and secretary of the stockholders’ meeting, setting forth:

(a) That the requirements of this section have been complied with;
(b) The amount of the increase or decrease of the capital stock;
(c) In case of an increase of the capital stock, the amount of capital stock or number of shares of
no-par stock thereof actually subscribed, the names, nationalities and addresses of the
persons subscribing, the amount of capital stock or number of no-par stock subscribed by
each, and the amount paid by each on the subscription in cash or property, or the amount of
capital stock or number of shares of no-par stock allotted to each stockholder if such
increase is for the purpose of making effective stock dividend therefor authorized;
(d) Any bonded indebtedness to be incurred, created or increased;
(e) The amount of stock represented at the meeting; and
(f) The vote authorizing the increase or decrease of the capital stock, or the incurring, creating
or increasing of any bonded indebtedness.

Any increase or decrease in the capital stock or the incurring, creating or increasing of any bonded
indebtedness shall require prior approval of the Commission, and where appropriate, of the Philippine
Competition Commission. The application with the Commission shall be made within six (6) months
from the date of approval of the board of directors and stockholders, which period may be extended for
justifiable reasons.

Copies of the certificate shall be kept on file in the office of the corporation and filed with the
Commission and attached to the original articles of incorporation. After approval by the Commission
and the issuance by the Commission of its certificate of filing, the capital stock shall be deemed
increased or decreased and the incurring, creating or increasing of any bonded indebtedness authorized,
as the certificate of filing may declare: Provided, That the Commission shall not accept for filing any
certificate of increase of capital stock unless accompanied by a sworn statement of the treasurer of the
corporation lawfully holding office at the time of the filing of the certificate, showing that at least
twenty-five percent (25%) of the increase in capital stock has been subscribed and that at least twenty-
five percent (25%) of the amount subscribed has been paid in actual cash to the corporation or that
property, the valuation of which is equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the subscription, has been
transferred to the corporation: Provided, further, That no decrease in capital stock shall be approved by
the Commission if its effect shall prejudice the rights of corporate creditors.

Nonstock corporations may incur, create or increase bonded indebtedness when approved by a majority
of the board of trustees and of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members in a meeting duly called for the
purpose.

Bonds issued by a corporation shall be registered with the Commission, which shall have the authority

16
to determine the sufficiency of the terms thereof.

Section 38. Power to Deny Preemptive Right. – All stockholders of a stock corporation shall enjoy
preemptive right to subscribe to all issues or disposition of shares of any class, in proportion to their
respective shareholdings, unless such right is denied by the articles of incorporation or an amendment
thereto: Provided, That such preemptive right shall not extend to shares issued in compliance with laws
requiring stock offerings or minimum stock ownership by the public; or to shares issued in good faith
with the approval of the stockholders representing two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock, in
exchange for property needed for corporate purposes or in payment of a previously contracted debt.

Section 39. Sale or Other Disposition of Assets. – Subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10667,
otherwise known as “Philippine Competition Act”, and other related laws, a corporation may, by a
majority vote of its board of directors or trustees, sell, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, or otherwise
dispose of its property and assets, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration, which
may be money, stocks, bonds, or other instruments for the payment of money or other property or
consideration, as its board of directors or trustees may deem expedient.

A sale of all or substantially all of the corporation’s properties and assets, including its goodwill, must
be authorized by the vote of the stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding
capital stock, or at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members, in a stockholders’ or members’ meeting duly
called for the purpose.

In nonstock corporations where there are no members with voting rights, the vote of at least a majority
of the trustees in office will be sufficient authorization for the corporation to enter into any transaction
authorized by this section.

The determination of whether or not the sale involves all or substantially all of the corporation’s
properties and assets must be computed based on its net asset value, as shown in its latest financial
statements. A sale or other disposition shall be deemed to cover substantially all the corporate property
and assets if thereby the corporation would be rendered incapable of continuing the business or
accomplishing the purpose for which it was incorporated.

Written notice of the proposed action and of the time and place for the meeting shall be addressed to
stockholders or members at their places of residence as shown in the books of the corporation and
deposited to the addressee in the post office with postage prepaid, served personally, or when allowed
by the bylaws or done with the consent of the stockholder, sent electronically: Provided, That any
dissenting stockholder may exercise the right of appraisal under the conditions provided in this Code.

After such authorization or approval by the stockholders or members, the board of directors or trustees
may, nevertheless, in its discretion, abandon such sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, or other
disposition of property and assets, subject to the rights of third parties under any contract relating
thereto, without further action or approval by the stockholders or members.

Nothing in this section is intended to restrict the power of any corporation, without the authorization by
the stockholders or members, to sell, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any of
its property and assets if the same is necessary in the usual and regular course of business of the
corporation or if the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of such property and assets shall be

17
appropriated for the conduct of its remaining business.

Section 40. Power to Acquire Own Shares. – Provided that the corporation has unrestricted retained
earnings in its books to cover the shares to be purchased or acquired, a stock corporation shall have the
power to purchase or acquire its own shares for a legitimate corporate purpose or purposes, including
the following cases:

(a) To eliminate fractional shares arising out of stock dividends;

(b) To collect or compromise an indebtedness to the corporation, arising out of unpaid
subscription, in a delinquency sale, and to purchase delinquent shares sold during said sale;
and
(c) To pay dissenting or withdrawing stockholders entitled to payment for their shares under the
provisions of this Code.

Section 41. Power to Invest Corporate Funds in Another Corporation or Business or for Any Other
Purpose. – Subject to the provisions of this Code, a private corporation may invest its funds in any
other corporation, business, or for any purpose other than the primary purpose for which it was
organized, when approved by a majority of the board of directors or trustees and ratified by the
stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock, or by at least two
thirds (2/3) of the members in the case of nonstock corporations, at a meeting duly called for the
purpose. Notice of the proposed investment and the time and place of the meeting shall be addressed to
each stockholder or member at the place of residence as shown in the books of the corporation and
deposited to the addressee in the post office with postage prepaid, served personally, or sent
electronically in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission on the use of electronic
data message, when allowed by the bylaws or done with the consent of the stockholders: Provided, That
any dissenting stockholder shall have appraisal right as provided in this Code: Provided, however, That
where the investment by the corporation is reasonably necessary to accomplish its primary purpose as
stated in the articles of incorporation, the approval of the stockholders or members shall not be
necessary.

Section 42. Power to Declare Dividends. – The board of directors of a stock corporation may declare
dividends out of the unrestricted retained earnings which shall be payable in cash, property, or in stock
to all stockholders on the basis of outstanding stock held by them: Provided, That any cash dividends
due on delinquent stock shall first be applied to the unpaid balance on the subscription plus costs and
expenses, while stock dividends shall be withheld from the delinquent stockholders until their unpaid
subscription is fully paid: Provided, further, That no stock dividend shall be issued without the approval
of stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock at a regular or
special meeting duly called for the purpose.

Stock corporations are prohibited from retaining surplus profits in excess of one hundred percent
(100%) of their paid-in capital stock, except: (a) when justified by definite corporate expansion projects
or programs approved by the board of directors; or (b) when the corporation is prohibited under any
loan agreement with financial institutions or creditors, whether local or foreign, from declaring
dividends without their consent, and such consent has not yet been secured; or (c) when it can be
clearly shown that such retention is necessary under special circumstances obtaining in the corporation,
such as when there is need for special reserve for probable contingencies.

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Section 43. Power to Enter into Management Contract. – No corporation shall conclude a management
contract with another corporation unless such contract is approved by the board of directors and by
stockholders owning at least the majority of the outstanding capital stock, or by at least a majority of
the members in the case of a nonstock corporation, of both the managing and the managed corporation,
at a meeting duly called for the purpose: Provided, That (a) where a stockholder or stockholders
representing the same interest of both the managing and the managed corporations own or control more
than one-third (1/3) of the total outstanding capital stock entitled to vote of the managing corporation;
or (b) where a majority of the members of the board of directors of the managing corporation also
constitute a majority of the members of the board of directors of the managed corporation, then the
management contract must be approved by the stockholders of the managed corporation owning at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the total outstanding capital stock entitled to vote, or by at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the members in the case of a nonstock corporation.

These shall apply to any contract whereby a corporation undertakes to manage or operate all or
substantially all of the business of another corporation, whether such contracts are called service
contracts, operating agreements or otherwise: Provided, however, That such service contracts or
operating agreements which relate to the exploration, development, exploitation or utilization of natural
resources may be entered into for such periods as may be provided by the pertinent laws or regulations.

No management contract shall be entered into for a period longer than five (5) years for any one (1)
term.

Section 44. Ultra Vires Acts of Corporations. – No corporation shall possess or exercise corporate
powers other than those conferred by this Code or by its articles of incorporation and except as
necessary or incidental to the exercise of the powers conferred.

TITLE V
BYLAWS

Section 45. Adoption of Bylaws. – For the adoption of bylaws by the corporation, the affirmative vote
of the stockholders representing at least a majority of the outstanding capital stock, or of at least a
majority of the members in case of nonstock corporations, shall be necessary. The bylaws shall be
signed by the stockholders or members voting for them and shall be kept in the principal office of the
corporation, subject to the inspection of the stockholders or members during office hours. A copy
thereof, duly certified by a majority of the directors or trustees and countersigned by the secretary of
the corporation, shall be filed with the Commission and attached to the original articles of
incorporation.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, bylaws may be adopted and filed prior to
incorporation; in such case, such bylaws shall be approved and signed by all the incorporators and
submitted to the Commission, together with the articles of incorporation.

In all cases, bylaws shall be effective only upon the issuance by the Commission of a certification that
the bylaws are in accordance with this Code.

The Commission shall not accept for filing the bylaws or any amendment thereto of any bank, banking
institution, building and loan association, trust company, insurance company, public utility, educational

19
institution, or other special corporations governed by special laws, unless accompanied by a certificate
of the appropriate government agency to the effect that such bylaws or amendments are in accordance
with law.

Section 46. Contents of Bylaws. – A private corporation may provide the following in its bylaws:

(a) The time, place and manner of calling and conducting regular or special meetings of the
directors or trustees;
(b) The time and manner of calling and conducting regular or special meetings and mode of
notifying the stockholders or members thereof;
(c) The required quorum in meetings of stockholders or members and the manner of voting
therein;
(d) The modes by which a stockholder, member, director, or trustee may attend meetings and
cast their votes;
(e) The form for proxies of stockholders and members and the manner of voting them;
(f) The directors’ or trustees’ qualifications, duties and responsibilities, the guidelines for setting
the compensation of directors or trustees and officers, and the maximum number of other
board representations that an independent director or trustee may have which shall, in no
case, be more than the number prescribed by the Commission;
(g) The time for holding the annual election of directors or trustees and the mode or manner of
giving notice thereof;
(h) The manner of election or appointment and the term of office of all officers other than
directors or trustees;
(i) The penalties for violation of the bylaws;
(j) In the case of stock corporations, the manner of issuing stock certificates; and
(k) Such other matters as may be necessary for the proper or convenient transaction of its
corporate affairs for the promotion of good governance and anti-graft and corruption
measures.

An arbitration agreement may be provided in the bylaws pursuant to Section 181 of this Code.

Section 47. Amendment to Bylaws. – A majority of the board of directors or trustees, and the owners of
at least a majority of the outstanding capital stock, or at least a majority of the members of a nonstock
corporation, at a regular or special meeting duly called for the purpose, may amend or repeal the
bylaws or adopt new bylaws. The owners of two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock or two-
thirds (2/3) of the members in a nonstock corporation may delegate to the board of directors or trustees
the power to amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws: Provided, That any power delegated to
the board of directors or trustees to amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws shall be
considered as revoked whenever stockholders owning or representing a majority of the outstanding
capital stock or majority of the members shall so vote at a regular or special meeting.

Whenever the bylaws are amended or new bylaws are adopted, the corporation shall file with the
Commission such amended or new bylaws and, if applicable, the stockholders’ or members’ resolution
authorizing the delegation of the power to amend and/or adopt new bylaws, duly certified under oath by
the corporate secretary and a majority of the directors or trustees.

The amended or new bylaws shall only be effective upon the issuance by the Commission of a

20
certification that the same is in accordance with this Code and other relevant laws.

TITLE VI
MEETINGS
Section 48. Kinds of Meetings. – Meetings of directors, trustees, stockholders, or members may be
regular or special.

Section 49. Regular and Special Meetings of Stockholders or Members. – Regular meetings of
stockholders or members shall be held annually on a date fixed in the bylaws, or if not so fixed, on any
date after April 15 of every year as determined by the board of directors or trustees: Provided, That
written notice of regular meetings shall be sent to all stockholders or members of record at least twenty-
one (21) days prior to the meeting, unless a different period is required in the bylaws, law, or
regulation: Provided, further, That written notice of regular meetings may be sent to all stockholders or
members of record through electronic mail or such other manner as the Commission shall allow under
its guidelines.

At each regular meeting of stockholders or members, the board of directors or trustees shall
endeavor to present to stockholders or members the following:

a) The minutes of the most recent regular meeting which shall include, among others:
(1) A description of the voting and vote tabulation procedures used in the previous
meeting;
(2) A description of the opportunity given to stockholders or members to ask questions
and a record of the questions asked and answers given;
(3) The matters discussed and resolutions reached;
(4) A record of the voting results for each agenda item;
(5) A list of the directors or trustees, officers and stockholders or members who attended
the meeting; and
(6) Such other items that the Commission may require in the interest of good corporate
governance and the protection of minority stockholders.
b) A members’ list for nonstock corporations and, for stock corporations, material information
on the current stockholders, and their voting rights;
c) A detailed, descriptive, balanced and comprehensible assessment of the corporation’s
performance, which shall include information on any material change in the corporation’s
business, strategy, and other affairs;
d) A financial report for the preceding year, which shall include financial statements duly
signed and certified in accordance with this Code and the rules the Commission may
prescribe, a statement on the adequacy of the corporation’s internal controls or risk
management systems, and a statement of all external audit and non-audit fees;
e) An explanation of the dividend policy and the fact of payment of dividends or the reasons
for nonpayment thereof;
f) Director or trustee profiles which shall include, among others, their qualifications and
relevant experience, length of service in the corporation, trainings and continuing education
attended, and their board representations in other corporations;
g) A director or trustee attendance report, indicating the attendance of each director or trustee
at each of the meetings of the board and its committees and in regular or special stockholder
meetings;

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 h) Appraisals and performance reports for the board and the criteria and procedure for
assessment;
i) A director or trustee compensation report prepared in accordance with this Code and the
rules the Commission may prescribe;
j) Director disclosures on self-dealings and related party transactions; and/or
k) The profiles of directors nominated or seeking election or reelection.

A director, trustee, stockholder, or member may propose any other matter for inclusion in the agenda at
any regular meeting of stockholders or members.

Special meetings of stockholders or members shall be held at any time deemed necessary or as
provided in the bylaws: Provided, however, That at least one (1) week written notice shall be sent to all
stockholders or members, unless a different period is provided in the bylaws, law or regulation.

A stockholder or member may propose the holding of a special meeting and items to be included in the
agenda.

Notice of any meeting may be waived, expressly or impliedly, by any stockholder or member:
Provided, That general waivers of notice in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws shall not be
allowed: Provided, further, That attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Whenever for any cause, there is no person authorized or the person authorized unjustly refuses to call
a meeting, the Commission, upon petition of a stockholder or member on a showing of good cause
therefor, may issue an order directing the petitioning stockholder or member to call a meeting of the
corporation by giving proper notice required by this Code or the bylaws. The petitioning stockholder or
member shall preside thereat until at least a majority of the stockholders or members present have
chosen from among themselves, a presiding officer.

Unless the bylaws provide for a longer period, the stock and transfer book or membership book shall be
closed at least twenty (20) days for regular meetings and seven (7) days for special meetings before the
scheduled date of the meeting.

In case of postponement of stockholders’ or members’ regular meetings, written notice thereof and the
reason therefor shall be sent to all stockholders or members of record at least two (2) weeks prior to the
date of the meeting, unless a different period is required under the bylaws, law or regulation.

The right to vote of stockholders or members may be exercised in person, through a proxy, or when so
authorized in the bylaws, through remote communication or in absentia. The Commission shall issue
the rules and regulations governing participation and voting through remote communication or in
absentia, taking into account the company’s scale, number of shareholders or members, structure, and
other factors consistent with the protection and promotion of shareholders’ or member’s meetings.

Section 50. Place and Time of Meetings of Stockholders or Members. – Stockholders’ or members’
meetings, whether regular or special, shall be held in the principal office of the corporation as set forth
in the articles of incorporation, or, if not practicable, in the city or municipality where the principal

22
office of the corporation is located: Provided, That any city or municipality in Metro Manila, Metro
Cebu, Metro Davao, and other Metropolitan areas shall, for purposes of this section, be considered a
city or municipality.

Notice of meetings shall be sent through the means of communication provided in the bylaws, which
notice shall state the time, place and purpose of the meetings.

Each notice of meeting shall further be accompanied by the following:

(a) The agenda for the meeting;
(b) A proxy form which shall be submitted to the corporate secretary within a reasonable time
prior to the meeting;
(c) When attendance, participation, and voting are allowed by remote communication or in
absentia, the requirements and procedures to be followed when a stockholder or member
elects either option; and
(d) When the meeting is for the election of directors or trustees, the requirements and procedure
for nomination and election.

All proceedings and any business transacted at a meeting of the stockholders or members, if within the
powers or authority of the corporation, shall be valid even if the meeting is improperly held or called:
Provided, That all the stockholders or members of the corporation are present or duly represented at the
meeting and not one of them expressly states at the beginning of the meeting that the purpose of their
attendance is to object to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened.

Section 51. Quorum in Meetings. – Unless otherwise provided in this Code or in the bylaws, a quorum
shall consist of the stockholders representing a majority of the outstanding capital stock or a majority of
the members in the case of nonstock corporations.

Section 52. Regular and Special Meetings of Directors or Trustees; Quorum. – Unless the articles of
incorporation or the bylaws provides for a greater majority, a majority of the directors or trustees as
stated in the articles of incorporation shall constitute a quorum to transact corporate business, and every
decision reached by at least a majority of the directors or trustees constituting a quorum, except for the
election of officers which shall require the vote of a majority of all the members of the board, shall be
valid as a corporate act.

Regular meetings of the board of directors or trustees of every corporation shall be held monthly, unless
the bylaws provide otherwise.

Special meetings of the board of directors or trustees may be held at any time upon the call of the
president or as provided in the bylaws.

Meetings of directors or trustees of corporations may be held anywhere in or outside of the Philippines,
unless the bylaws provide otherwise. Notice of regular or special meetings stating the date, time and
place of the meeting must be sent to every director or trustee at least two (2) days prior to the scheduled
meeting, unless a longer time is provided in the bylaws. A director or trustee may waive this
requirement, either expressly or impliedly.

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Directors or trustees who cannot physically attend or vote at board meetings can participate and vote
through remote communication such as videoconferencing, teleconferencing, or other alternative
modes of communication that allow them reasonable opportunities to participate. Directors or trustees
cannot attend or vote by proxy at board meetings.

A director or trustee who has a potential interest in any related party transaction must recuse from
voting on the approval of the related party transaction without prejudice to compliance with the
requirements of Section 31 of this Code.

Section 53. Who Shall Preside at Meetings. – The chairman or, in his absence, the president shall
preside at all meetings of the directors or trustees as well as of the stockholders or members, unless the
bylaws provide otherwise.

Section 54. Right to Vote of Secured Creditors and Administrators. – In case a stockholder grants
security interest in his or her shares in stock corporations, the stockholder-grantor shall have the right to
attend and vote at meetings of stockholders, unless the secured creditor is expressly given by the
stockholder-grantor such right in writing which is recorded in the appropriate corporate books.

Executors, administrators, receivers, and other legal representatives duly appointed by the court may
attend and vote in behalf of the stockholders or members without need of any written proxy.

Section 55. Voting in Case of Joint Ownership of Stock. – The consent of all the co-owners shall be
necessary in voting shares of stock owned jointly by two (2) or more persons, unless there is a written
proxy, signed by all the co-owners, authorizing one (1) or some of them or any other person to vote
such share or shares: Provided, That when the shares are owned in an “and/or” capacity by the holders
thereof, any one of the joint owners can vote said shares or appoint a proxy therefor.

Section 56. Voting Right for Treasury Shares. – Treasury shares shall have no voting right as long as
such shares remain in the Treasury.

Section 57. Manner of Voting; Proxies. – Stockholders and members may vote in person or by proxy in
all meetings of stockholders or members.

When so authorized in the bylaws or by a majority of the board of directors, the stockholders or
members of corporations may also vote through remote communication or in absentia: Provided, That
the votes are received before the corporation finishes the tally of votes.

A stockholder or member who participates through remote communication or in absentia, shall be

deemed present for purposes of quorum.

The corporation shall establish the appropriate requirements and procedures for voting through remote
communication and in absentia, taking into account the company’s scale, number of shareholders or
members, structure and other factors consistent with the basic right of corporate suffrage.

Proxies shall be in writing, signed and filed, by the stockholder or member, in any form authorized in
the bylaws and received by the corporate secretary within a reasonable time before the scheduled
meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the proxy form, it shall be valid only for the meeting for which

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it is intended. No proxy shall be valid and effective for a period longer than five (5) years at any one
time.

Section 58. Voting Trusts. – One or more stockholders of a stock corporation may create a voting trust
for the purpose of conferring upon a trustee or trustees the right to vote and other rights pertaining to
the shares for a period not exceeding five (5) years at any time: Provided, That in the case of a voting
trust specifically required as a condition in a loan agreement, said voting trust may be for a period
exceeding five (5) years but shall automatically expire upon full payment of the loan. A voting trust
agreement must be in writing and notarized, and shall specify the terms and conditions thereof. A
certified copy of such agreement shall be filed with the corporation and with the Commission;
otherwise, the agreement is ineffective and unenforceable. The certificate or certificates of stock
covered by the voting trust agreement shall be cancelled and new ones shall be issued in the name of
the trustee or trustees, stating that they are issued pursuant to said agreement. The books of the
corporation shall state that the transfer in the name of the trustee or trustees is made pursuant to the
voting trust agreement.

The trustee or trustees shall execute and deliver to the transferors, voting trust certificates, which shall
be transferable in the same manner and with the same effect as certificates of stock.

The voting trust agreement filed with the corporation shall be subject to examination by any
stockholder of the corporation in the same manner as any other corporate book or record: Provided,
That both the trustor and the trustee or trustees may exercise the right of inspection of all corporate
books and records in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

Any other stockholder may transfer the shares to the same trustee or trustees upon the terms and
conditions stated in the voting trust agreement, and thereupon shall be bound by all the provisions of
said agreement.

No voting trust agreement shall be entered into for purposes of circumventing the laws against anti-
competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions,
violation of nationality and capital requirements, or for the perpetuation of fraud.

Unless expressly renewed, all rights granted in a voting trust agreement shall automatically expire at
the end of the agreed period. The voting trust certificates as well as the certificates of stock in the name
of the trustee or trustees shall thereby be deemed cancelled and new certificates of stock shall be
reissued in the name of the trustors.

The voting trustee or trustees may vote by proxy or in any manner authorized under the bylaws unless
the agreement provides otherwise.

TITLE VII
STOCKS AND STOCKHOLDERS

Section 59. Subscription Contract. – Any contract for the acquisition of unissued stock in an existing
corporation or a corporation still to be formed shall be deemed a subscription within the meaning of
this Title, notwithstanding the fact that the parties refer to it as a purchase or some other contract.

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Section 60. Pre-incorporation Subscription. – A subscription of shares in a corporation still to be
formed shall be irrevocable for a period of at least six (6) months from the date of subscription, unless
all of the other subscribers consent to the revocation, or the corporation fails to incorporate within the
same period or within a longer period stipulated in the contract of subscription. No pre-incorporation
subscription may be revoked after the articles of incorporation is submitted to the Commission.

Section 61. Consideration for Stocks. – Stocks shall not be issued for a consideration less than the par
or issued price thereof. Consideration for the issuance of stock may be:
(a) Actual cash paid to the corporation;
(b) Property, tangible or intangible, actually received by the corporation and necessary or
convenient for its use and lawful purposes at a fair valuation equal to the par or issued value
of the stock issued;
(c) Labor performed for or services actually rendered to the corporation;
(d) Previously incurred indebtedness of the corporation;
(e) Amounts transferred from unrestricted retained earnings to stated capital;
(f) Outstanding shares exchanged for stocks in the event of reclassification or conversion;
(g) Shares of stock in another corporation; and/or
(h) Other generally accepted form of consideration.

Where the consideration is other than actual cash, or consists of intangible property such as patents or
copyrights, the valuation thereof shall initially be determined by the stockholders or the board of
directors, subject to the approval of the Commission.

Shares of stock shall not be issued in exchange for promissory notes or future service. The same
considerations provided in this section, insofar as applicable, may be used for the issuance of bonds by
the corporation.

The issued price of no-par value shares may be fixed in the articles of incorporation or by the board of
directors pursuant to authority conferred by the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, or if not so
fixed, by the stockholders representing at least a majority of the outstanding capital stock at a meeting
duly called for the purpose.

Section 62. Certificate of Stock and Transfer of Shares. – The capital stock of corporations shall be
divided into shares for which certificates signed by the president or vice president, countersigned by the
secretary or assistant secretary, and sealed with the seal of the corporation shall be issued in accordance
with the bylaws. Shares of stock so issued are personal property and may be transferred by delivery of
the certificate or certificates indorsed by the owner, his attorney-in-fact, or any other person legally
authorized to make the transfer. No transfer, however, shall be valid, except as between the parties,
until the transfer is recorded in the books of the corporation showing the names of the parties to the
transaction, the date of the transfer, the number of the certificate or certificates, and the number of
shares transferred. The Commission may require corporations whose securities are traded in trading
markets and which can reasonably demonstrate their capability to do so to issue their securities or
shares of stocks in uncertificated or scripless form in accordance with the rules of the Commission.

No shares of stock against which the corporation holds any unpaid claim shall be transferable in the
books of the corporation.

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Section 63. Issuance of Stock Certificates. – No certificate of stock shall be issued to a subscriber until
the full amount of the subscription together with interest and expenses (in case of delinquent shares), if
any is due, has been paid.

Section 64. Liability of Directors for Watered Stocks. – A director or officer of a corporation who: (a)
consents to the issuance of stocks for a consideration less than its par or issued value; (b) consents to
the issuance of stocks for a consideration other than cash, valued in excess of its fair value; or (c)
having knowledge of the insufficient consideration, does not file a written objection with the corporate
secretary, shall be liable to the corporation or its creditors, solidarily with the stockholder concerned for
the difference between the value received at the time of issuance of the stock and the par or issued
value of the same.

Section 65. Interest on Unpaid Subscriptions. – Subscribers to stocks shall be liable to the corporation
for interest on all unpaid subscriptions from the date of subscription, if so required by and at the rate of
interest fixed in the subscription contract. If no rate of interest is fixed in the subscription contract, the
prevailing legal rate shall apply.

Section 66. Payment of Balance of Subscription. – Subject to the provisions of the subscription
contract, the board of directors may, at any time, declare due and payable to the corporation unpaid
subscriptions and may collect the same or such percentage thereof, in either case, with accrued interest,
if any, as it may deem necessary.

Payment of unpaid subscription or any percentage thereof, together with any interest accrued shall be
made on the date specified in the subscription contract or on the date stated in the call made by the
board. Failure to pay on such date shall render the entire balance due and payable and shall make the
stockholder liable for interest at the legal rate on such balance, unless a different interest rate is
provided in the subscription contract. The interest shall be computed from the date specified, until full
payment of the subscription. If no payment is made within thirty (30) days from the said date, all stocks
covered by the subscription shall thereupon become delinquent and shall be subject to sale as
hereinafter provided, unless the board of directors orders otherwise.

Section 67. Delinquency Sale. – The board of directors may, by resolution, order the sale of delinquent
stock and shall specifically state the amount due on each subscription plus all accrued interest, and the
date, time and place of the sale which shall not be less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60)
days from the date the stocks become delinquent.

Notice of the sale, with a copy of the resolution, shall be sent to every delinquent stockholder either
personally, by registered mail, or through other means provided in the bylaws. The same shall be
published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the
province or city where the principal office of the corporation is located.

Unless the delinquent stockholder pays to the corporation, on or before the date specified for the sale of
the delinquent stock, the balance due on the former’s subscription, plus accrued interest, costs of
advertisement and expenses of sale, or unless the board of directors otherwise orders, said delinquent
stock shall be sold at a public auction to such bidder who shall offer to pay the full amount of the
balance on the subscription together with accrued interest, costs of advertisement and expenses of sale,
for the smallest number of shares or fraction of a share. The stock so purchased shall be transferred to

27
such purchaser in the books of the corporation and a certificate for such stock shall be issued in the
purchaser’s favor. The remaining shares, if any, shall be credited in favor of the delinquent stockholder
who shall likewise be entitled to the issuance of a certificate of stock covering such shares.

Should there be no bidder at the public auction who offers to pay the full amount of the balance on the
subscription together with accrued interest, costs of advertisement, and expenses of sale, for the
smallest number of shares or fraction of a share, the corporation may, subject to the provisions of this
Code, bid for the same, and the total amount due shall be credited as fully paid in the books of the
corporation. Title to all the shares of stock covered by the subscription shall be vested in the
corporation as treasury shares and may be disposed of by said corporation in accordance with the
provisions of this Code.

Section 68. When Sale May be Questioned. – No action to recover delinquent stock sold can be
sustained upon the ground of irregularity or defect in the notice of sale, or in the sale itself of the
delinquent stock, unless the party seeking to maintain such action first pays or tenders to the party
holding the stock the sum for which the same was sold, with interest from the date of sale at the legal
rate. No such action shall be maintained unless a complaint is filed within six (6) months from the date
of sale.

Section 69. Court Action to Recover Unpaid Subscription. – Nothing in this Code shall prevent the
corporation from collecting through court action, the amount due on any unpaid subscription, with
accrued interest, costs and expenses.

Section 70. Effect of Delinquency. – No delinquent stock shall be voted for, be entitled to vote, or be
represented at any stockholder’s meeting, nor shall the holder thereof be entitled to any of the rights of
a stockholder except the right to dividends in accordance with the provisions of this Code, until and
unless payment is made by the holder of such delinquent stock for the amount due on the subscription
with accrued interest, and the costs and expenses of advertisement, if any.

Section 71. Rights of Unpaid Shares, Nondelinquent. – Holders of subscribed shares not fully paid
which are not delinquent shall have all the rights of a stockholder.

Section 72. Lost or Destroyed Certificates. – The following procedure shall be followed by a
corporation in issuing new certificates of stock in lieu of those which have been lost, stolen or
destroyed:

(a) The registered owner of a certificate of stock in a corporation or such person’s legal
representative shall file with the corporation an affidavit in triplicate setting forth, if
possible, the circumstances as to how the certificate was lost, stolen or destroyed, the
number of shares represented by such certificate, the serial number of the certificate and the
name of the corporation which issued the same. The owner of such certificate of stock shall
also submit such other information and evidence as may be deemed necessary; and
(b) After verifying the affidavit and other information and evidence with the books of the
corporation, the corporation shall publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in
the place where the corporation has its principal office, once a week for three (3)
consecutive weeks at the expense of the registered owner of the certificate of stock which
has been lost, stolen or destroyed. The notice shall state the name of the corporation, the

28
 name of the registered owner, the serial number of the certificate, the number of shares
represented by such certificate, and shall state that after the expiration of one (1) year from
the date of the last publication, if no contest has been presented to the corporation regarding
the certificate of stock, the right to make such contest shall be barred and the corporation
shall cancel the lost, destroyed or stolen certificate of stock in its books. In lieu thereof, the
corporation shall issue a new certificate of stock, unless the registered owner files a bond or
other security as may be required, effective for a period of one (1) year, for such amount and
in such form and with such sureties as may be satisfactory to the board of directors, in which
case a new certificate may be issued even before the expiration of the one (1) year period
provided herein. If a contest has been presented to the corporation or if an action is pending
in court regarding the ownership of the certificate of stock which has been lost, stolen or
destroyed, the issuance of the new certificate of stock in lieu thereof shall be suspended until
the court renders a final decision regarding the ownership of the certificate of stock which
has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Except in case of fraud, bad faith, or negligence on the part of the corporation and its officers, no action
may be brought against any corporation which shall have issued certificate of stock in lieu of those lost,
stolen or destroyed pursuant to the procedure above-described.

TITLE VIII
CORPORATE BOOKS AND RECORDS

Section 73. Books to be Kept; Stock Transfer Agent. – Every corporation shall keep and carefully
preserve at its principal office all information relating to the corporation including, but not limited to:

(a) The articles of incorporation and bylaws of the corporation and all their amendments;
(b) The current ownership structure and voting rights of the corporation, including lists of
stockholders or members, group structures, intra-group relations, ownership data, and
beneficial ownership;
(c) The names and addresses of all the members of the board of directors or trustees and the
executive officers;
(d) A record of all business transactions;
(e) A record of the resolutions of the board of directors or trustees and of the stockholders or
members;
(f) Copies of the latest reportorial requirements submitted to the Commission; and
(g) The minutes of all meetings of stockholders or members, or of the board of directors or
trustees. Such minutes shall set forth in detail, among others: the time and place of the
meeting held, how it was authorized, the notice given, the agenda therefor, whether the
meeting was regular or special, its object if special, those present and absent, and every act
done or ordered done at the meeting. Upon the demand of a director, trustee, stockholder or
member, the time when any director, trustee, stockholder or member entered or left the
meeting must be noted in the minutes; and on a similar demand, the yeas and nays must be
taken on any motion or proposition, and a record thereof carefully made. The protest of a
director, trustee, stockholder or member on any action or proposed action must be recorded
in full upon their demand.

Corporate records, regardless of the form in which they are stored, shall be open to inspection by any

29
director, trustee, stockholder or member of the corporation in person or by a representative at
reasonable hours on business days, and a demand in writing may be made by such director, trustee or
stockholder at their expense, for copies of such records or excerpts from said records. The inspecting or
reproducing party shall remain bound by confidentiality rules under prevailing laws, such as the rules
on trade secrets or processes under Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the “Intellectual
Property Code of the Philippines”, as amended, Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data
Privacy Act of 2012”, Republic Act No. 8799, otherwise known as “The Securities Regulation Code”,
and the Rules of Court.

A requesting party who is not a stockholder or member of record, or is a competitor, director, officer,
controlling stockholder or otherwise represents the interests of a competitor shall have no right to
inspect or demand reproduction of corporate records.

Any stockholder who shall abuse the rights granted under this section shall be penalized under Section
158 of this Code, without prejudice to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the
“Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines”, as amended, and Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise
known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”.

Any officer or agent of the corporation who shall refuse to allow the inspection and/or reproduction of
records in accordance with the provisions of this Code shall be liable to such director, trustee,
stockholder or member for damages, and in addition, shall be guilty of an offense which shall be
punishable under Section 161 of this Code: Provided, That if such refusal is made pursuant to a
resolution or order of the board of directors or trustees, the liability under this section for such action
shall be imposed upon the directors or trustees who voted for such refusal: Provided, further, That it
shall be a defense to any action under this section that the person demanding to examine and copy
excerpts from the corporation’s records and minutes has improperly used any information secured
through any prior examination of the records or minutes of such corporation or of any other
corporation, or was not acting in good faith or for a legitimate purpose in making the demand to
examine or reproduce corporate records, or is a competitor, director, officer, controlling stockholder or
otherwise represents the interests of a competitor.

If the corporation denies or does not act on a demand for inspection and/or reproduction, the aggrieved
party may report such to the Commission. Within five (5) days from receipt of such report, the
Commission shall conduct a summary investigation and issue an order directing the inspection or
reproduction of the requested records.

Stock corporations must also keep a stock and transfer book, which shall contain a record of all stocks
in the names of the stockholders alphabetically arranged; the installments paid and unpaid on all stocks
for which subscription has been made, and the date of payment of any installment; a statement of every
alienation, sale or transfer of stock made, the date thereof, by and to whom made; and such other
entries as the bylaws may prescribe. The stock and transfer book shall be kept in the principal office of
the corporation or in the office of its stock transfer agent and shall be open for inspection by any
director or stockholder of the corporation at reasonable hours on business days.

A stock transfer agent or one engaged principally in the business of registering transfers of stocks in
behalf of a stock corporation shall be allowed to operate in the Philippines upon securing a license from
the Commission and the payment of a fee to be fixed by the Commission, which shall be renewable

30
annually: Provided, That a stock corporation is not precluded from performing or making transfers of
its own stocks, in which case all the rules and regulations imposed on stock transfer agents, except the
payment of a license fee herein provided, shall be applicable: Provided, further, That the Commission
may require stock corporations which transfer and/or trade stocks in secondary markets to have an
independent transfer agent.

Section 74. Right to Financial Statements. – A corporation shall furnish a stockholder or member,
within ten (10) days from receipt of their written request, its most recent financial statement, in the
form and substance of the financial reporting required by the Commission.

At the regular meeting of stockholders or members, the board of directors or trustees shall present to
such stockholders or members a financial report of the operations of the corporation for the preceding
year, which shall include financial statements, duly signed and certified in accordance with this Code,
and the rules the Commission may prescribe.

However, if the total assets or total liabilities of the corporation is less than Six hundred thousand pesos
(P600,000.00), or such other amount as may be determined appropriate by the Department of Finance,
the financial statements may be certified under oath by the treasurer and the president.

TITLE IX
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

Section 75. Plan of Merger or Consolidation. – Two (2) or more corporations may merge into a single
corporation which shall be one of the constituent corporations or may consolidate into a new single
corporation which shall be the consolidated corporation.

The board of directors or trustees of each corporation, party to the merger or consolidation, shall
approve a plan of merger or consolidation setting forth the following:

(a) The names of the corporations proposing to merge or consolidate, hereinafter referred to as
the constituent corporations;
(b) The terms of the merger or consolidation and the mode of carrying the same into effect;
(c) A statement of the changes, if any, in the articles of incorporation of the surviving
corporation in case of merger; and, in case of consolidation, all the statements required to be
set forth in the articles of incorporation for corporations organized under this Code; and
(d) Such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation as are
deemednecessary or desirable.

Section 76. Stockholders’ or Members’ Approval. – Upon approval by a majority vote of each of the
board of directors or trustees of the constituent corporations of the plan of merger or consolidation, the
same shall be submitted for approval by the stockholders or members of each of such corporations at
separate corporate meetings duly called for the purpose. Notice of such meetings shall be given to all
stockholders or members of the respective corporations in the same manner as giving notice of regular
or special meetings under Section 49 of this Code. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and
include a copy or a summary of the plan of merger or consolidation.

The affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital

31
stock of each corporation in the case of stock corporations or at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members in
the case of nonstock corporations shall be necessary for the approval of such plan. Any dissenting
stockholder may exercise the right of appraisal in accordance with this Code: Provided, That if after the
approval by the stockholders of such plan, the board of directors decides to abandon the plan, the right
of appraisal shall be extinguished.

Any amendment to the plan of merger or consolidation may be made: Provided, That such amendment
is approved by a majority vote of the respective boards of directors or trustees of all the constituent
corporations and ratified by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the outstanding capital stock or of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of each of the constituent
corporations. Such plan, together with any amendment, shall be considered as the agreement of merger
or consolidation.

Section 77. Articles of Merger or Consolidation. – After the approval by the stockholders or members
as required by the preceding section, articles of merger or articles of consolidation shall be executed by
each of the constituent corporations, to be signed by the president or vice president and certified by the
secretary or assistant secretary of each corporation setting forth:

(a) The plan of the merger or the plan of consolidation;

(b) As to stock corporations, the number of shares outstanding, or in the case of nonstock
corporations, the number of members;
(c) As to each corporation, the number of shares or members voting for or against such plan,
respectively;
(d) The carrying amounts and fair values of the assets and liabilities of the respective companies
as of the agreed cut-off date;
(e) The method to be used in the merger or consolidation of accounts of the companies;
(f) The provisional or pro forma values, as merged or consolidated, using the accounting
method; and
(g) Such other information as may be prescribed by the Commission.

Section 78. Effectivity of Merger or Consolidation. – The articles of merger or of consolidation, signed
and certified as required by this Code, shall be submitted to the Commission for its approval: Provided,
That in the case of merger or consolidation of banks or banking institutions, loan associations, trust
companies, insurance companies, public utilities, educational institutions, and other special
corporations governed by special laws, the favorable recommendation of the appropriate government
agency shall first be obtained. If the Commission is satisfied that the merger or consolidation of the
corporations concerned is consistent with the provisions of this Code and existing laws, it shall issue a
certificate approving the articles and plan of merger or of consolidation, at which time the merger or
consolidation shall be effective.

If, upon investigation, the Commission has reason to believe that the proposed merger or consolidation
is contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Code or existing laws, it shall set a hearing to
give the corporations concerned the opportunity to be heard. Written notice of the date, time, and place
of hearing shall be given to each constituent corporation at least two (2) weeks before said hearing. The
Commission shall thereafter proceed as provided in this Code.

Section 79. Effects of Merger or Consolidation. – The merger or consolidation shall have the following

32
effects:

(a) The constituent corporations shall become a single corporation which, in case of merger,
shall be the surviving corporation designated in the plan of merger; and, in case of
consolidation, shall be the consolidated corporation designated in the plan of consolidation;
(b) The separate existence of the constituent corporations shall cease, except that of the
surviving or the consolidated corporation;
(c) The surviving or the consolidated corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges,
immunities, and powers and shall be subject to all the duties and liabilities of a corporation
organized under this Code;
(d) The surviving or the consolidated corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges,
immunities and franchises of each constituent corporation; and all real or personal property,
all receivables due on whatever account, including subscriptions to shares and other choses
in action, and every other interest of, belonging to, or due to each constituent corporation,
shall be deemed transferred to and vested in such surviving or consolidated corporation
without further act or deed; and
(e) The surviving or consolidated corporation shall be responsible for all the liabilities and
obligations of each constituent corporation as though such surviving or consolidated
corporation had itself incurred such liabilities or obligations; and any pending claim, action
or proceeding brought by or against any constituent corporation may be prosecuted by or
against the surviving or consolidated corporation. The rights of creditors or liens upon the
property of such constituent corporations shall not be impaired by the merger or
consolidation.

TITLE X
APPRAISAL RIGHT

Section 80. When the Right of Appraisal May Be Exercised. – Any stockholder of a corporation shall
have the right to dissent and demand payment of the fair value of the shares in the following instances:

(a) In case an amendment to the articles of incorporation has the effect of changing or
restricting the rights of any stockholder or class of shares, or of authorizing preferences in
any respect superior to those of outstanding shares of any class, or of extending or
shortening the term of corporate existence;
(b) In case of sale, lease, exchange, transfer, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the corporate property and assets as provided in this Code;
(c) In case of merger or consolidation; and
(d) In case of investment of corporate funds for any purpose other than the primary purpose of
the corporation.

Section 81. How Right is Exercised. – The dissenting stockholder who votes against a proposed
corporate action may exercise the right of appraisal by making a written demand on the corporation for
the payment of the fair value of shares held within thirty (30) days from the date on which the vote was
taken: Provided, That failure to make the demand within such period shall be deemed a waiver of the
appraisal right. If the proposed corporate action is implemented, the corporation shall pay the
stockholder, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates of stock representing the stockholder’s
shares, the fair value thereof as of the day before the vote was taken, excluding any appreciation or

33
depreciation in anticipation of such corporate action.

If, within sixty (60) days from the approval of the corporate action by the stockholders, the
withdrawing stockholder and the corporation cannot agree on the fair value of the shares, it shall be
determined and appraised by three (3) disinterested persons, one of whom shall be named by the
stockholder, another by the corporation, and the third by the two (2) thus chosen. The findings of the
majority of the appraisers shall be final, and their award shall be paid by the corporation within thirty
(30) days after such award is made: Provided, That no payment shall be made to any dissenting
stockholder unless the corporation has unrestricted retained earnings in its books to cover such
payment: Provided, further, That upon payment by the corporation of the agreed or awarded price, the
stockholder shall forthwith transfer the shares to the corporation.

Section 82. Effect of Demand and Termination of Right. – From the time of demand for payment of the
fair value of a stockholder’s shares until either the abandonment of the corporate action involved or the
purchase of the said shares by the corporation, all rights accruing to such shares, including voting and
dividend rights, shall be suspended in accordance with the provisions of this Code, except the right of
such stockholder to receive payment of the fair value thereof: Provided, That if the dissenting
stockholder is not paid the value of the said shares within thirty (30) days after the award, the voting
and dividend rights shall immediately be restored.

Section 83. When Right to Payment Ceases. – No demand for payment under this Title may be
withdrawn unless the corporation consents thereto. If, however, such demand for payment is withdrawn
with the consent of the corporation, or if the proposed corporate action is abandoned or rescinded by
the corporation or disapproved by the Commission where such approval is necessary, or if the
Commission determines that such stockholder is not entitled to the appraisal right, then the right of the
stockholder to be paid the fair value of the shares shall cease, the status as the stockholder shall be
restored, and all dividend distributions which would have accrued on the shares shall be paid to the
stockholder.

Section 84. Who Bears Costs of Appraisal. – The costs and expenses of appraisal shall be borne by the
corporation, unless the fair value ascertained by the appraisers is approximately the same as the price
which the corporation may have offered to pay the stockholder, in which case they shall be borne by the
latter. In the case of an action to recover such fair value, all costs and expenses shall be assessed against
the corporation, unless the refusal of the stockholder to receive payment was unjustified.

Section 85. Notation on Certificates; Rights of Transferee. – Within ten (10) days after demanding
payment for shares held, a dissenting stockholder shall submit the certificates of stock representing the
shares to the corporation for notation that such shares are dissenting shares. Failure to do so shall, at the
option of the corporation, terminate the rights under this Title. If shares represented by the certificates
bearing such notation are transferred, and the certificates consequently cancelled, the rights of the
transferor as a dissenting stockholder under this Title shall cease and the transferee shall have all the
rights of a regular stockholder; and all dividend distributions which would have accrued on such shares
shall be paid to the transferee.

TITLE XI
NONSTOCK CORPORATION

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Section 86. Definition. – For purposes of this Code and subject to its provisions on dissolution, a
nonstock corporation is one where no part of its income is distributable as dividends to its members,
trustees, or officers: Provided, That any profit which a nonstock corporation may obtain incidental to its
operations shall, whenever necessary or proper, be used for the furtherance of the purpose or purposes
for which the corporation was organized, subject to the provisions of this Title.

The provisions governing stock corporations, when pertinent, shall be applicable to nonstock
corporations, except as may be covered by specific provisions of this Title.

Section 87. Purposes. – Nonstock corporations may be formed or organized for charitable, religious,
educational, professional, cultural, fraternal, literary, scientific, social, civic service, or similar
purposes, like trade, industry, agricultural and like chambers, or any combination thereof, subject to the
special provisions of this Title governing particular classes of nonstock corporations.

CHAPTER I
MEMBERS

Section 88. Right to Vote. – The right of the members of any class or classes to vote may be limited,
broadened, or denied to the extent specified in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. Unless so
limited, broadened, or denied, each member, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one (1) vote.

Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, a member may vote by proxy,
in accordance with the provisions of this Code. The bylaws may likewise authorize voting through
remote communication and/or in absentia.

Section 89. Nontransferability of Membership. – Membership in a nonstock corporation and all rights
arising therefrom are personal and non-transferable, unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws
otherwise provide.

Section 90. Termination of Membership. – Membership shall be terminated in the manner and for the
causes provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. Termination of membership shall
extinguish all rights of a member in the corporation or in its property, unless otherwise provided in the
articles of incorporation or the bylaws.

CHAPTER II
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Section 91. Election and Term of Trustees. – The number of trustees shall be fixed in the articles of
incorporation or bylaws which may or may not be more than fifteen (15). They shall hold office for not
more than three (3) years until their successors are elected and qualified. Trustees elected to fill
vacancies occurring before the expiration of a particular term shall hold office only for the unexpired
period.

Except with respect to independent trustees of nonstock corporations vested with public interest, only a
member of the corporation shall be elected as trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, the members may directly

35
elect officers of a nonstock corporation.

Section 92. List of Members and Proxies, Place of Meetings. – The corporation shall, at all times, keep
a list of its members and their proxies in the form the Commission may require. The list shall be
updated to reflect the members and proxies of record twenty (20) days prior to any scheduled election.
The bylaws may provide that the members of a nonstock corporation may hold their regular or special
meetings at any place even outside the place where the principal office of the corporation is located:
Provided, That proper notice is sent to all members indicating the date, time and place of the meeting:
Provided, further, That the place of meeting shall be within Philippine territory.

CHAPTER III
DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS IN NONSTOCK CORPORATIONS

Section 93. Rules of Distribution. – The assets of a nonstock corporation undergoing the process of
dissolution for reasons other than those set forth in Section 139 of this Code, shall be applied and
distributed as follows:

(a) All liabilities and obligations of the corporation shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or
adequate provision shall be made therefor;
(b) Assets held by the corporation upon a condition requiring return, transfer or conveyance,
and which condition occurs by reason of the dissolution, shall be returned, transferred or
conveyed in accordance with such requirements;
(c) Assets received and held by the corporation subject to limitations permitting their use only
for charitable, religious, benevolent, educational or similar purposes, but not held upon a
condition requiring return, transfer or conveyance by reason of the dissolution, shall be
transferred or conveyed to one (1) or more corporations, societies or organizations engaged
in activities in the Philippines substantially similar to those of the dissolving corporation
according to a plan of distribution adopted pursuant to this Chapter;
(d) Assets other than those mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, if any, shall be distributed in
accordance with the provisions of the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, to the extent
that the articles of incorporation or the bylaws determine the distributive rights of members,
or any class or classes of members, or provide for distribution; and
(e) In any other case, assets may be distributed to such persons, societies, organizations or
corporations, whether or not organized for profit, as may be specified in a plan of
distribution adopted pursuant to this Chapter.

Section 94. Plan of Distribution of Assets. – A plan providing for the distribution of assets, consistent
with the provisions of this Title, may be adopted by a nonstock corporation in the process of dissolution
in the following manner:

a) The board of trustees shall, by majority vote, adopt a resolution recommending a plan of
distribution and directing the submission thereof to a vote at a regular or special meeting of
members having voting rights;
b) Each member entitled to vote shall be given a written notice setting forth the proposed plan
of distribution or a summary thereof and the date, time and place of such meeting within the
time and in the manner provided in this Code for the giving of notice of meetings; and
c) Such plan of distribution shall be adopted upon approval of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the

36
 members having voting rights present or represented by proxy at such meeting.

TITLE XII
CLOSE CORPORATIONS

Section 95. Definition and Applicability of Title. – A close corporation, within the meaning of this
Code, is one whose articles of incorporation provides that: (a) all the corporation’s issued stock of all
classes, exclusive of treasury shares, shall be held of record by not more than a specified number of
persons, not exceeding twenty (20); (b) all the issued stock of all classes shall be subject to one or more
specified restrictions on transfer permitted by this Title; and (c) the corporation shall not list in any
stock exchange or make any public offering of its stocks of any class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
corporation shall not be deemed a close corporation when at least two-thirds (2/3) of its voting stock or
voting rights is owned or controlled by another corporation which is not a close corporation within the
meaning of this Code.

Any corporation may be incorporated as a close corporation, except mining or oil companies, stock
exchanges, banks, insurance companies, public utilities, educational institutions and corporations
declared to be vested with public interest in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

The provisions of this Title shall primarily govern close corporations: Provided, That other Titles in this
Code shall apply suppletorily, except as otherwise provided under this Title.

Section 96. Articles of Incorporation. – The articles of incorporation of a close corporation may provide
for:

(a) A classification of shares or rights, the qualifications for owning or holding the same, and
restrictions on their transfers, subject to the provisions of the following section;
(b) A classification of directors into one (1) or more classes, each of whom may be voted for
and elected solely by a particular class of stock; and
(c) Greater quorum or voting requirements in meetings of stockholders or directors than those
provided in this Code.

The articles of incorporation of a close corporation may provide that the business of the corporation
shall be managed by the stockholders of the corporation rather than by a board of directors. So long as
this provision continues in effect, no meeting of stockholders need be called to elect directors:
Provided, That the stockholders of the corporation shall be deemed to be directors for the purpose of
applying the provisions of this Code, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: Provided, further,
That the stockholders of the corporation shall be subject to all liabilities of directors.

The articles of incorporation may likewise provide that all officers or employees or that specified
officers or employees shall be elected or appointed by the stockholders, instead of by the board of
directors.

Section 97. Validity of Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. – Restrictions on the right to transfer shares
must appear in the articles of incorporation, in the bylaws, as well as in the certificate of stock;
otherwise, the same shall not be binding on any purchaser in good faith. Said restrictions shall not be

37
more onerous than granting the existing stockholders or the corporation the option to purchase the
shares of the transferring stockholder with such reasonable terms, conditions or period stated. If, upon
the expiration of said period, the existing stockholders or the corporation fails to exercise the option to
purchase, the transferring stockholder may sell their shares to any third person.

Section 98. Effects of Issuance or Transfer of Stock in Breach of Qualifying Conditions. –

(a) If a stock of a close corporation is issued or transferred to any person who is not eligible to
be a holder thereof under any provision of the articles of incorporation, and if the certificate
for such stock conspicuously shows the qualifications of the persons entitled to be holders of
record thereof, such person is conclusively presumed to have notice of the fact of the
ineligibility to be a stockholder.
(b) If the articles of incorporation of a close corporation states the number of persons, not
exceeding twenty (20), who are entitled to be stockholders of record, and if the certificate for
such stock conspicuously states such number, and the issuance or transfer of stock to any
person would cause the stock to be held by more than such number of persons, the person to
whom such stock is issued or transferred is conclusively presumed to have notice of this
fact.
(c) If a stock certificate of a close corporation conspicuously shows a restriction on transfer of
the corporation’s stock and the transferee acquires the stock in violation of such restriction,
the transferee is conclusively presumed to have notice of the fact that the stock was acquired
in violation of the restriction.
(d) Whenever a person to whom stock of a close corporation has been issued or transferred has
or is conclusively presumed under this section to have notice of: (1) the person’s ineligibility
to be a stockholder of the corporation; or (2) that the transfer of stock would cause the stock
of the corporation to be held by more than the number of persons permitted under its articles
of incorporation; or (3) that the transfer violates a restriction on transfer of stock, and the
corporation may, at its option, refuse to register the transfer in the name of the transferee.
(e) The provision s of subsection (d) shall not be applicable if the transfer of stock, though
contrary to subsections (a), (b) or (c), has been consented to by all the stockholders of the
close corporation, or if the close corporation has amended its articles of incorporation in
accordance with this Title.
(f) The term “transfer”, as used in this section, is not limited to a transfer for value.
(g) The provisions of this section shall not impair any right which the transferee may have to
either rescind the transfer or recover the stock under any express or implied warranty.

Section 99. Agreements by Stockholders. –

(a) Agreements duly signed and executed by and among all stockholders before the formation
and organization of a close corporation shall survive the incorporation and shall continue to
be valid and binding between such stockholders, if such be their intent, to the extent that
such agreements are consistent with the articles of incorporation, irrespective of where the
provisions of such agreements are contained, except those required by this Title to be
embodied in said articles of incorporation.
(b) A written agreement signed by two (2) or more stockholders may provide that in exercising
any voting right, the shares held by them shall be voted as provided or as agreed, or in
accordance with a procedure agreed upon by them.

38
 (c) No provision in a written agreement signed by the stockholders, relating to any phase of
corporate affairs, shall be invalidated between the parties on the ground that its effect is to
make them partners among themselves.
(d) A written agreement among some or all of the stockholders in a close corporation shall not
be invalidated on the ground that it relates to the conduct of the business and affairs of the
corporation as to restrict or interfere with the discretion or powers of the board of directors:
Provided, That such agreement shall impose on the stockholders who are parties thereto the
liabilities for managerial acts imposed on directors by this Code.
(e) Stockholders actively engaged in the management or operation of the business and affairs of
a close corporation shall be held to strict fiduciary duties to each other and among
themselves. The stockholders shall be personally liable for corporate torts unless the
corporation has obtained reasonably adequate liability insurance.

Section 100. When a Board Meeting is Unnecessary or Improperly Held. – Unless the bylaws provide
otherwise, any action taken by the directors of a close corporation without a meeting called properly
and with due notice shall nevertheless be deemed valid if:

(a) Before or after such action is taken, a written consent thereto is signed by all the directors;
or
(b) All the stockholders have actual or implied knowledge of the action and make no prompt
objection in writing; or
(c) The directors are accustomed to take informal action with the express or implied
acquiescence of all the stockholders; or
(d) All the directors have express or implied knowledge of the action in question and none of
them makes a prompt objection in writing.

An action within the corporate powers taken at a meeting held without proper call or notice, is deemed
ratified by a director who failed to attend, unless after having knowledge thereof, the director promptly
files his written objection with the secretary of the corporation.

Section 101. Preemptive Right in Close Corporations. – The preemptive right of stockholders in close
corporations shall extend to all stock to be issued, including reissuance of treasury shares, whether for
money, property or personal services, or in payment of corporate debts, unless the articles of
incorporation provide otherwise.

Section 102. Amendment of Articles of Incorporation. – Any amendment to the articles of incorporation
which seeks to delete or remove any provision required by this Title or to reduce a quorum or voting
requirement stated in said articles of incorporation shall require the affirmative vote of at least two-
thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock, whether with or without voting rights, or of such greater
proportion of shares as may be specifically provided in the articles of incorporation for amending,
deleting or removing any of the aforesaid provisions, at a meeting duly called for the purpose.

Section 103. Deadlocks. – Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the close corporation’s articles of
incorporation, bylaws, or stockholders’ agreement, if the directors or stockholders are so divided on the
management of the corporation’s business and affairs that the votes required for a corporate action
cannot be obtained, with the consequence that the business and affairs of the corporation can no longer
be conducted to the advantage of the stockholders generally, the Commission, upon written petition by

39
any stockholder, shall have the power to arbitrate the dispute. In the exercise of such power, the
Commission shall have authority to make appropriate orders, such as: (a) cancelling or altering any
provision contained in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or any stockholder’s agreement; (b)
cancelling, altering or enjoining a resolution or act of the corporation or its board of directors,
stockholders, or officers; (c) directing or prohibiting any act of the corporation or its board of directors,
stockholders, officers, or other persons party to the action; (d) requiring the purchase at their fair value
of shares of any stockholder, either by the corporation regardless of the availability of unrestricted
retained earnings in its books, or by the other stockholders; (e) appointing a provisional director; (f)
dissolving the corporation; or (g) granting such other relief as the circumstances may warrant.

A provisional director shall be an impartial person who is neither a stockholder nor a creditor of the
corporation or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and whose further qualifications, if any, may be
determined by the Commission. A provisional director is not a receiver of the corporation and does not
have the title and powers of a custodian or receiver. A provisional director shall have all the rights and
powers of a duly elected director, including the right to be notified of and to vote at meetings of
directors until removed by order of the Commission or by all the stockholders. The compensation of the
provisional director shall be determined by agreement between such director and the corporation,
subject to approval of the Commission, which may fix the compensation absent an agreement or in the
event of disagreement between the provisional director and the corporation.

Section 104. Withdrawal of Stockholder or Dissolution of Corporation. – In addition and without

prejudice to other rights and remedies available under this Title, any stockholder of a close corporation
may, for any reason, compel the corporation to purchase shares held at fair value, which shall not be
less than the par or issued value, when the corporation has sufficient assets in its books to cover its
debts and liabilities exclusive of capital stock: Provided, That any stockholder of a close corporation
may, by written petition to the Commission, compel the dissolution of such corporation whenever any
of acts of the directors, officers, or those in control of the corporation is illegal, fraudulent, dishonest,
oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to the corporation or any stockholder, or whenever corporate assets
are being misapplied or wasted.

TITLE XIII
SPECIAL CORPORATIONS

CHAPTER I
EDUCATIONAL CORPORATIONS

Section 105. Incorporation. – Educational corporations shall be governed by special laws and by the
general provisions of this Code.

Section 106. Board of Trustees. –Trustees of educational institutions organized as nonstock

corporations shall not be less than five (5) nor more than fifteen (15): Provided, That the number of
trustees shall be in multiples of five (5).

Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, the board of trustees of
incorporated schools, colleges, or other institutions of learning shall, as soon as organized, so classify
themselves that the term of office of one-fifth (1/5) of their number shall expire every year. Trustees
thereafter elected to fill vacancies, occurring before the expiration of a particular term, shall hold office

40
only for the unexpired period. Trustees elected thereafter to fill vacancies caused by expiration of term
shall hold office for five (5) years. A majority of the trustees shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. The powers and authority of trustees shall be defined in the bylaws.

For institutions organized as stock corporations, the number and term of directors shall be governed by
the provisions on stock corporations.

CHAPTER II
RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS

Section 107. Classes of Religious Corporations. – Religious corporations may be incorporated by one
or more persons. Such corporations may be classified into corporations sole and religious societies.

Religious corporations shall be governed by this Chapter and by the general provisions on nonstock
corporations insofar as applicable.

Section 108. Corporation sole. – For the purpose of administering and managing, as trustee, the affairs,
property and temporalities of any religious denomination, sect or church, a corporation sole may be
formed by the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or other presiding elder of such religious
denomination, sect, or church.

Section 109. Articles of incorporation. – In order to become a corporation sole, the chief archbishop,
bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder of any religious denomination, sect or church must file
with the Commission articles of incorporation setting forth the following:

(a) That the applicant chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder
represents the religious denomination, sect, or church which desires to become a corporation
sole;
(b) That the rules, regulations and discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church are
consistent with becoming a corporation sole and do not forbid it;
(c) That such chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder is charged with
the administration of the temporalities and the management of the affairs, estate and
properties of the religious denomination, sect or church within the territorial jurisdiction, so
described succinctly in the articles of incorporation;
(d) The manner by which any vacancy occurring in the office of chief archbishop, bishop,
priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder is required to be filled, according to the rules,
regulations or discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church; and
(e) The place where the principal office of the corporation sole is to be established and located,
which place must be within the territory of the Philippines.

The articles of incorporation may include any other provision not contrary to law for the regulation of
the affairs of the corporation.

Section 110. Submission of the Articles of Incorporation. – The articles of incorporation must be
verified, by affidavit or affirmation of the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding
elder, as the case may be, and accompanied by a copy of the commission, certificate of election or letter
of appointment of such chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder, duly

41
certified to be correct by any notary public.

From and after filing with the Commission of the said articles of incorporation, verified by affidavit or
affirmation, and accompanied by the documents mentioned in the preceding paragraph, such chief
archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder shall become a corporation sole and all
temporalities, estate and properties of the religious denomination, sect or church theretofore
administered or managed as such chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder
shall be personally held in trust as a corporation sole, for the use, purpose, exclusive benefit and on
behalf of the religious denomination, sect or church, including hospitals, schools, colleges, orphan
asylums, parsonages, and cemeteries thereof.

Section 111. Acquisition and Alienation of Property. – A corporation sole may purchase and hold real
estate and personal property for its church, charitable, benevolent, or educational purposes, and may
receive bequests or gifts for such purposes. Such corporation may sell or mortgage real property held
by it by obtaining an order for that purpose from the Regional Trial Court of the province where the
property is situated upon proof that the notice of the application for leave to sell or mortgage has been
made through publication or as directed by the Court, and that it is in the interest of the corporation that
leave to sell or mortgage be granted. The application for leave to sell or mortgage must be made by
petition, duly verified, by the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder acting
as corporation sole, and may be opposed by any member of the religious denomination, sect or church
represented by the corporation sole: Provided, That in cases where the rules, regulations, and discipline
of the religious denomination, sect or church, religious society, or order concerned represented by such
corporation sole regulate the method of acquiring, holding, selling, and mortgaging real estate and
personal property, such rules, regulations and discipline shall govern, and the intervention of the courts
shall not be necessary.

Section 112. Filling of Vacancies. – The successors in office of any chief archbishop, bishop, priest,
minister, rabbi, or presiding elder in a corporation sole shall become the corporation sole on their
accession to office and shall be permitted to transact business as such upon filing a copy of their
commission, certificate of election, or letters of appointment, duly certified by any notary public with
the Commission.

During any vacancy in the office of chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, or presiding elder
of any religious denomination, sect or church incorporated as a corporation sole, the person or persons
authorized by the rules, regulations or discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church
represented by the corporation sole to administer the temporalities and manage the affairs, estate, and
properties of the corporation sole shall exercise all the powers and authority of the corporation sole
during such vacancy.

Section 113. Dissolution. – A corporation sole may be dissolved and its affairs settled voluntarily by
submitting to the Commission a verified declaration of dissolution, setting forth:

(a) The name of the corporation;

(b) The reason for dissolution and winding up;
(c) The authorization for the dissolution of the corporation by the particular religious
denomination, sect or church; and
(d) The names and addresses of the persons who are to supervise the winding up of the affairs of

42
 the corporation.

Upon approval of such declaration of dissolution by the Commission, the corporation shall
cease to carry on its operations except for the purpose of winding up its affairs.

Section 114. Religious Societies. – Unless forbidden by competent authority, the Constitution, pertinent
rules, regulations, or discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church of which it is a part, any
religious society, religious order, diocese, synod, or district organization of any religious denomination,
sect or church, may, upon written consent and/or by an affirmative vote at a meeting called for the
purpose of at least two-thirds (2/3) of its membership, incorporate for the administration of its
temporalities or for the management of its affairs, properties, and estate by filing with the Commission,
articles of incorporation verified by the affidavit of the presiding elder, secretary, or clerk or other
member of such religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or district organization of the
religious denomination, sect or church, setting forth the following:

(a) That the religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or district organization is a
religious organization of a religious denomination, sect or church;
(b) That at least two-thirds (2/3) of its membership has given written consent or has voted to
incorporate, at a duly convened meeting of the body;
(c) That the incorporation of the religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or
district organization is not forbidden by competent authority or by the Constitution, rules,
regulations or discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church of which it forms part;
(d) That the religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or district organization
desires to incorporate for the administration of its affairs, properties and estate;
(e) The place within the Philippines where the principal office of the corporation is to be
established and located; and
(f) The names, nationalities, and residence addresses of the trustees, not less than five (5) nor
more than fifteen (15), elected by the religious society or religious order, or the diocese,
synod, or district organization to serve for the first year or such other period as may be
prescribed by the laws of the religious society or religious order, or of the diocese, synod, or
district organization.

CHAPTER III
ONE PERSON CORPORATIONS

Section 115. Applicability of Provisions to One Person Corporations. – The provisions of this Title
shall primarily apply to One Person Corporations. Other provisions of this Code apply suppletorily,
except as otherwise provided in this Title.

Section 116. One Person Corporation. – A One Person Corporation is a corporation with a single
stockholder: Provided, That only a natural person, trust, or an estate may form a One Person
Corporation.

Banks and quasi-banks, pre-need, trust, insurance, public and publicly-listed companies, and non-
chartered government-owned and -controlled corporations may not incorporate as One Person
Corporations: Provided, further, That a natural person who is licensed to exercise a profession may not
organize as a One Person Corporation for the purpose of exercising such profession except as otherwise

43
provided under special laws.

Section 117. Minimum Capital Stock Required for One Person Corporation. – A One Person
Corporation shall not be required to have a minimum authorized capital stock except as otherwise
provided by special law.

Section 118. Articles of Incorporation. – A One Person Corporation shall file articles of incorporation
in accordance with the requirements under Section 14 of this Code. It shall likewise substantially
contain the following:

(a) If the single stockholder is a trust or an estate, the name, nationality, and residence of the
trustee, administrator, executor, guardian, conservator, custodian, or other person exercising
fiduciary duties together with the proof of such authority to act on behalf of the trust or
estate; and
(b) Name, nationality, residence of the nominee and alternate nominee, and the extent, coverage
and limitation of the authority.

Section 119. Bylaws. – The One Person Corporation is not required to submit and file corporate bylaws.

Section 120. Display of Corporate Name. – A One Person Corporation shall indicate the letters “OPC”
either below or at the end of its corporate name.

Section 121. Single Stockholder as Director, President. – The single stockholder shall be the sole
director and president of the One Person Corporation.

Section 122. Treasurer, Corporate Secretary, and Other Officers. – Within fifteen (15) days from the
issuance of its certificate of incorporation, the One Person Corporation shall appoint a treasurer,
corporate secretary, and other officers as it may deem necessary, and notify the Commission thereof
within five (5) days from appointment.

The single stockholder may not be appointed as the corporate secretary.

A single stockholder who is likewise the self-appointed treasurer of the corporation shall give a bond to
the Commission in such a sum as may be required: Provided, That the said stockholder/treasurer shall
undertake in writing to faithfully administer the One Person Corporation’s funds to be received as
treasurer, and to disburse and invest the same according to the articles of incorporation as approved by
the Commission. The bond shall be renewed every two (2) years or as often as may be required.

Section 123. Special Functions of the Corporate Secretary. – In addition to the functions designated by
the One Person Corporation, the corporate secretary shall:

(a) Be responsible for maintaining the minutes book and/or records of the corporation;
(b) Notify the nominee or alternate nominee of the death or incapacity of the single stockholder,
which notice shall be given no later than five (5) days from such occurrence;
(c) Notify the Commission of the death of the single stockholder within five (5) days from such
occurrence and stating in such notice the names, residence addresses, and contact details of
all known legal heirs; and

44
 (d) Call the nominee or alternate nominee and the known legal heirs to a meeting and advise the
legal heirs with regard to, among others, the election of a new director, amendment of the
articles of incorporation, and other ancillary and/or consequential matters.

Section 124. Nominee and Alternate Nominee. – The single stockholder shall designate a nominee and
an alternate nominee who shall, in the event of the single stockholder’s death or incapacity, take the
place of the single stockholder as director and shall manage the corporation’s affairs.

The articles of incorporation shall state the names, residence addresses and contact details of the
nominee and alternate nominee, as well as the extent and limitations of their authority in managing the
affairs of the One Person Corporation.

The written consent of the nominee and alternate nominee shall be attached to the application for
incorporation. Such consent may be withdrawn in writing any time before the death or incapacity of the
single stockholder.

Section 125. Term of Nominee and Alternate Nominee. – When the incapacity of the single stockholder
is temporary, the nominee shall sit as director and manage the affairs of the One Person Corporation
until the stockholder, by self determination, regains the capacity to assume such duties.

In case of death or permanent incapacity of the single stockholder, the nominee shall sit as director and
manage the affairs of the One Person Corporation until the legal heirs of the single stockholder have
been lawfully determined, and the heirs have designated one of them or have agreed that the estate shall
be the single stockholder of the One Person Corporation.

The alternate nominee shall sit as director and manage the One Person Corporation in case of the
nominee’s inability, incapacity, death, or refusal to discharge the functions as director and manager of
the corporation, and only for the same term and under the same conditions applicable to the nominee.

Section 126. Change of Nominee or Alternate Nominee. – The single stockholder may, at any time,
change its nominee and alternate nominee by submitting to the Commission the names of the new
nominees and their corresponding written consent. For this purpose, the articles of incorporation need
not be amended.

Section 127. Minutes Book. – A One Person Corporation shall maintain a minutes book which shall
contain all actions, decisions, and resolutions taken by the One Person Corporation.

Section 128. Records in Lieu of Meetings. – When action is needed on any matter, it shall be sufficient
to prepare a written resolution, signed and dated by the single stockholder, and recorded in the minutes
book of the One Person Corporation. The date of recording in the minutes book shall be deemed to be
the date of the meeting for all purposes under this Code.

Section 129. Reportorial Requirements. – The One Person Corporation shall submit the following
within such period as the Commission may prescribe:

(a) Annual financial statements audited by an independent certified public accountant:

Provided, That if the total assets or total liabilities of the corporation are less than Six

45
 Hundred Thousand Pesos (P600,000.00), the financial statements shall be certified under
oath by the corporation’s treasurer and president.
(b) A report containing explanations or comments by the president on every qualification,
reservation, or adverse remark or disclaimer made by the auditor in the latter’s report;
(c) A disclosure of all self-dealings and related party transactions entered into between the One
Person Corporation and the single stockholder; and
(d) Other reports as the Commission may require.
For purposes of this provision, the fiscal year of a One Person Corporation shall be that set forth in its
articles of incorporation or, in the absence thereof, the calendar year.

The Commission may place the corporation under delinquent status should the corporation fail to
submit the reportorial requirements three (3) times, consecutively or intermittently, within a period of
five (5) years.

Section 130. Liability of Single Shareholder. – A sole shareholder claiming limited liability has the
burden of affirmatively showing that the corporation was adequately financed.

Where the single stockholder cannot prove that the property of the One Person Corporation is
independent of the stockholder’s personal property, the stockholder shall be jointly and severally liable
for the debts and other liabilities of the One Person Corporation.

The principles of piercing the corporate veil applies with equal force to One Person Corporations as
with other corporations.

Section 131. Conversion from an Ordinary Corporation to a One Person Corporation. – When a single
stockholder acquires all the stocks of an ordinary stock corporation, the latter may apply for conversion
into a One Person Corporation, subject to the submission of such documents as the Commission may
require. If the application for conversion is approved, the Commission shall issue a certificate of filing
of amended articles of incorporation reflecting the conversion. The One Person Corporation converted
from an ordinary stock corporation shall succeed the latter and be legally responsible for all the latter’s
outstanding liabilities as of the date of conversion.

Section 132. Conversion from a One Person Corporation to an Ordinary Stock Corporation. – A One
Person Corporation may be converted into an ordinary stock corporation after due notice to the
Commission of such fact and of the circumstances leading to the conversion, and after compliance with
all other requirements for stock corporations under this Code and applicable rules. Such notice shall be
filed with the Commission within sixty (60) days from the occurrence of the circumstances leading to
the conversion into an ordinary stock corporation. If all requirements have been complied with, the
Commission shall issue a certificate of filing of amended articles of incorporation reflecting the
conversion.

In case of death of the single stockholder, the nominee or alternate nominee shall transfer the shares to
the duly designated legal heir or estate within seven (7) days from receipt of either an affidavit of
heirship or self-adjudication executed by a sole heir, or any other legal document declaring the legal
heirs of the single stockholder and notify the Commission of the transfer. Within sixty (60) days from
the transfer of the shares, the legal heirs shall notify the Commission of their decision to either wind up
and dissolve the One Person Corporation or convert it into an ordinary stock corporation.

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The ordinary stock corporation converted from a One Person Corporation shall succeed the latter and
be legally responsible for all the latter’s outstanding liabilities as of the date of conversion.

TITLE XIV
DISSOLUTION

Section 133. Methods of Dissolution. – A corporation formed or organized under the provisions of this
Code may be dissolved voluntarily or involuntarily.

Section 134. Voluntary Dissolution Where No Creditors are Affected. – If dissolution of a corporation
does not prejudice the rights of any creditor having a claim against it, the dissolution may be effected
by majority vote of the board of directors or trustees, and by a resolution adopted by the affirmative
vote of the stockholders owning at least majority of the outstanding capital stock or majority of the
members of a meeting to be held upon the call of the directors or trustees.

At least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting, notice shall be given to each shareholder or member of
record personally, by registered mail, or by any means authorized under its bylaws whether or not
entitled to vote at the meeting, in the manner provided in Section 50 of this Code and shall state that the
purpose of the meeting is to vote on the dissolution of the corporation. Notice of the time, place, and
object of the meeting shall be published once prior to the date of the meeting in a newspaper published
in the place where the principal office of said corporation is located, or if no newspaper is published in
such place, in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

A verified request for dissolution shall be filed with the Commission stating: (a) the reason for the
dissolution; (b) the form, manner, and time when the notices were given; (c) names of the stockholders
and directors or members and trustees who approved the dissolution; (d) the date, place, and time of the
meeting in which the vote was made; and (e) details of publication. The corporation shall submit the
following to the Commission: (1) a copy of the resolution authorizing the dissolution, certified by a
majority of the board of directors or trustees and countersigned by the secretary of the corporation; (2)
proof of publication; and (3) favorable recommendation from the appropriate regulatory agency, when
necessary.

Within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the verified request for dissolution, and in the absence of any
withdrawal within said period, the Commission shall approve the request and issue the certificate of
dissolution. The dissolution shall take effect only upon the issuance by the Commission of a certificate
of dissolution.

No application for dissolution of banks, banking and quasi-banking institutions, preneed, insurance and
trust companies, NSSLAs, pawnshops, and other financial intermediaries shall be approved by the
Commission unless accompanied by a favorable recommendation of the appropriate government
agency.

Section 135. Voluntary Dissolution Where Creditors are Affected; Procedure and Contents of Petition.
– Where the dissolution of a corporation may prejudice the rights of any creditor, a verified petition for
dissolution shall be filed with the Commission. The petition shall be signed by a majority of the
corporation’s board of directors or trustees, verified by its president or secretary or one of its directors

47
or trustees, and shall set forth all claims and demands against it, and that its dissolution was resolved
upon by the affirmative vote of the stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding
capital stock or at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members at a meeting of its stockholders or members
called for that purpose. The petition shall likewise state: (a) the reason for the dissolution; (b) the form,
manner, and time when the notices were given; and (c) the date, place, and time of the meeting in
which the vote was made. The corporation shall submit to the Commission the following: (1) a copy of
the resolution authorizing the dissolution, certified by a majority of the board of directors or trustees
and countersigned by the secretary of the corporation; and (2) a list of all its creditors.

If the petition is sufficient in form and substance, the Commission shall, by an order reciting the
purpose of the petition, fix a deadline for filing objections to the petition which date shall not be less
than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the entry of the order. Before such date, a copy
of the order shall be published at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of
general circulation published in the municipality or city where the principal office of the corporation is
situated, or if there be no such newspaper, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines,
and a similar copy shall be posted for three (3) consecutive weeks in three (3) public places in such
municipality or city.

Upon five (5) days’ notice, given after the date on which the right to file objections as fixed in the order
has expired, the Commission shall proceed to hear the petition and try any issue raised in the objections
filed; and if no such objection is sufficient, and the material allegations of the petition are true, it shall
render judgment dissolving the corporation and directing such disposition of its assets as justice
requires, and may appoint a receiver to collect such assets and pay the debts of the corporation.

The dissolution shall take effect only upon the issuance by the Commission of a certificate of
dissolution.

Section 136. Dissolution by Shortening Corporate Term. – A voluntary dissolution may be effected by
amending the articles of incorporation to shorten the corporate term pursuant to the provisions of this
Code. A copy of the amended articles of incorporation shall be submitted to the Commission in
accordance with this Code.

Upon the expiration of the shortened term, as stated in the approved amended articles of incorporation,
the corporation shall be deemed dissolved without any further proceedings, subject to the provisions of
this Code on liquidation.

In the case of expiration of corporate term, dissolution shall automatically take effect on the day
following the last day of the corporate term stated in the articles of incorporation, without the need for
the issuance by the Commission of a certificate of dissolution.

Section 137. Withdrawal of Request and Petition for Dissolution. – A withdrawal of the request for
dissolution shall be made in writing, duly verified by any incorporator, director, trustee, shareholder, or
member and signed by the same number of incorporators, directors, trustees, shareholders, or members
necessary to request for dissolution as set forth in the foregoing sections. The withdrawal shall be
submitted no later than fifteen (15) days from receipt by the Commission of the request for dissolution.
Upon receipt of a withdrawal of request for dissolution, the Commission shall withhold action on the
request for dissolution and shall, after investigation: (a) make a pronouncement that the request for

48
dissolution is deemed withdrawn; (b) direct a joint meeting of the board of directors or trustees and the
stockholders or members for the purpose of ascertaining whether to proceed with dissolution; or (c)
issue such other orders as it may deem appropriate.

A withdrawal of the petition for dissolution shall be in the form of a motion and similar in substance to
a withdrawal of request for dissolution but shall be verified and filed prior to publication of the order
setting the deadline for filing objections to the petition.

Section 138. Involuntary Dissolution. – A corporation may be dissolved by the Commission motu
proprio or upon filing of a verified complaint by any interested party. The following may be grounds
for dissolution of the corporation:

(a) Non-use of corporate charter as provided under Section 21 of this Code;

(b) Continuous inoperation of a corporation as provided under Section 21 of this Code;
(c) Upon receipt of a lawful court order dissolving the corporation;
(d) Upon finding by final judgment that the corporation procured its incorporation through
fraud;
(e) Upon finding by final judgment that the corporation:

(1) Was created for the purpose of committing, concealing or aiding the commission of
securities violations, smuggling, tax evasion, money laundering, or graft and corrupt
practices;
(2) Committed or aided in the commission of securities violations, smuggling, tax evasion,
money laundering, or graft and corrupt practices, and its stockholders knew; and
(3) Repeatedly and knowingly tolerated the commission of graft and corrupt practices or
other fraudulent or illegal acts by its directors, trustees, officers, or employees.

If the corporation is ordered dissolved by final judgment pursuant to the grounds set forth in
subparagraph (e) hereof, its assets, after payment of its liabilities, shall, upon petition of the
Commission with the appropriate court, be forfeited in favor of the national government. Such
forfeiture shall be without prejudice to the rights of innocent stockholders and employees for services
rendered, and to the application of other penalty or sanction under this Code or other laws.

The Commission shall give reasonable notice to, and coordinate with, the appropriate regulatory
agency prior to the involuntary dissolution of companies under their special regulatory jurisdiction.

Section 139. Corporate Liquidation. – Except for banks, which shall be covered by the applicable
provisions of Republic Act No. 7653, otherwise known as the “New Central Bank Act”, as amended,
and Republic Act No. 3591, otherwise known as the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Charter,
as amended, every corporation whose charter expires pursuant to its articles of incorporation, is
annulled by forfeiture, or whose corporate existence is terminated in any other manner, shall
nevertheless remain as a body corporate for three (3) years after the effective date of dissolution, for the
purpose of prosecuting and defending suits by or against it and enabling it to settle and close its affairs,
dispose of and convey its property, and distribute its assets, but not for the purpose of continuing the
business for which it was established.

At any time during said three (3) years, the corporation is authorized and empowered to convey all of

49
its property to trustees for the benefit of stockholders, members, creditors and other persons in interest.
After any such conveyance by the corporation of its property in trust for the benefit of its stockholders,
members, creditors and others in interest, all interest which the corporation had in the property
terminates, the legal interest vests in the trustees, and the beneficial interest in the stockholders,
members, creditors or other persons-in-interest.

Except as otherwise provided for in Sections 93 and 94 of this Code, upon the winding up of corporate
affairs, any asset distributable to any creditor or stockholder or member who is unknown or cannot be
found shall be escheated in favor of the national government.

Except by decrease of capital stock and as otherwise allowed by this Code, no corporation shall
distribute any of its assets or property except upon lawful dissolution and after payment of all its debts
and liabilities.

TITLE XV
FOREIGN CORPORATIONS

Section 140. Definition and Rights of Foreign Corporations. – For purposes of this Code, a foreign
corporation is one formed, organized or existing under laws other than those of the Philippines’ and
whose laws allow Filipino citizens and corporations to do business in its own country or State. It shall
have the right to transact business in the Philippines after obtaining a license for that purpose in
accordance with this Code and a certificate of authority from the appropriate government agency.

Section 141. Application to Existing Foreign Corporations. – Every foreign corporation which, on the
date of the effectivity of this Code, is authorized to do business in the Philippines under a license issued
to it shall continue to have such authority under the terms and conditions of its license, subject to the
provisions of this Code and other special laws.

Section 142. Application for a License. – A foreign corporation applying for a license to transact
business in the Philippines shall submit to the Commission a copy of its articles of incorporation and
bylaws, certified in accordance with law, and their translation to an official language of the Philippines,
if necessary. The application shall be under oath and, unless already stated in its articles of
incorporation, shall specifically set forth the following:

(a) The date and term of incorporation;

(b) The address, including the street number, of the principal office of the corporation in the
country or State of incorporation;
(c) The name and address of its resident agent authorized to accept summons and process in all
legal proceedings and all notices affecting the corporation, pending the establishment of a
local office;
(d) The place in the Philippines where the corporation intends to operate;
(e) The specific purpose or purposes which the corporation intends to pursue in the transaction
of its business in the Philippines: Provided, That said purpose or purposes are those
specifically stated in the certificate of authority issued by the appropriate government
agency;
(f) The names and addresses of the present directors and officers of the corporation;
(g) A statement of its authorized capital stock and the aggregate number of shares which the

50
 corporation has authority to issue, itemized by class, par value of shares, shares without par
value, and series, if any;
(h) A statement of its outstanding capital stock and the aggregate number of shares which the
corporation has issued, itemized by class, par value of shares, shares without par value, and
series, if any;
(i) A statement of the amount actually paid in; and
(j) Such additional information as may be necessary or appropriate in order to enable the
Commission to determine whether such corporation is entitled to a license to transact
business in the Philippines, and to determine and assess the fees payable.

Attached to the application for license shall be a certificate under oath duly executed by the authorized
official or officials of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, attesting to the fact that the laws of the
country or State of the applicant allow Filipino citizens and corporations to do business therein, and
that the applicant is an existing corporation in good standing. If the certificate is in a foreign language,
a translation thereof in English under oath of the translator shall be attached to the application.

The application for a license to transact business in the Philippines shall likewise be accompanied by a
statement under oath of the president or any other person authorized by the corporation, showing to the
satisfaction of the Commission and when appropriate, other governmental agencies that the applicant is
solvent and in sound financial condition, setting forth the assets and liabilities of the corporation as of
the date not exceeding one (1) year immediately prior to the filing of the application.

Foreign banking, financial, and insurance corporations shall, in addition to the above requirements,
comply with the provisions of existing laws applicable to them. In the case of all other foreign
corporations, no application for license to transact business in the Philippines shall be accepted by the
Commission without previous authority from the appropriate government agency, whenever required
by law.

Section 143. Issuance of a License. – If the Commission is satisfied that the applicant has complied
with all the requirements of this Code and other special laws, rules and regulations, the Commission
shall issue a license to transact business in the Philippines to the applicant for the purpose or purposes
specified in such license. Upon issuance of the license, such foreign corporation may commence to
transact business in the Philippines and continue to do so for as long as it retains its authority to act as a
corporation under the laws of the country or State of its incorporation, unless such license is sooner
surrendered, revoked, suspended, or annulled in accordance with this Code or other special laws.
Within sixty (60) days after the issuance of the license to transact business in the Philippines, the
licensee, except foreign banking or insurance corporations, shall deposit with the Commission for the
benefit of present and future creditors of the licensee in the Philippines, securities satisfactory to the
Commission, consisting of bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of the Government of the
Philippines, its political subdivisions and instrumentalities, or of government-owned or -controlled
corporations and entities, shares of stock or debt securities that are registered under Republic Act No.
8799, otherwise known as “The Securities Regulation Code”, shares of stock in domestic corporations
listed in the stock exchange, shares of stock in domestic insurance companies and banks, any financial
instrument determined suitable by the Commission, or any combination thereof with an actual market
value of at least Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or such other amount that may be set by
the Commission: Provided, however, That within six (6) months after each fiscal year of the licensee,
the Commission shall require the licensee to deposit additional securities or financial instruments

51
equivalent in actual market value to two percent (2%) of the amount by which the licensee’s gross
income for that fiscal year exceeds Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00). The Commission shall also
require the deposit of additional securities or financial instruments if the actual market value of the
deposited securities or financial instruments has decreased by at least ten percent (10%) of their actual
market value at the time they were deposited. The Commission may, at its discretion, release part of the
additional deposit if the gross income of the licensee has decreased, or if the actual market value of the
total deposit has increased, by more than ten percent (10%) of their actual market value at the time they
were deposited. The Commission may, from time to time, allow the licensee to make substitute deposits
for those already on deposit as long as the licensee is solvent. Such licensee shall be entitled to collect
the interest or dividends on such deposits. In the event the licensee ceases to do business in the
Philippines, its deposits shall be returned, upon the licensee’s application and upon proof to the
satisfaction of the Commission that the licensee has no liability to Philippine residents, including the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines. For purposes of computing the securities deposit, the
composition of gross income and allowable deductions therefrom shall be in accordance with the rules
of the Commission.

Section 144. Who May be a Resident Agent. – A resident agent may be either an individual residing in
the Philippines or a domestic corporation lawfully transacting business in the Philippines: Provided,
That an individual resident agent must be of good moral character and of sound financial standing:
Provided, further, That in case of a domestic corporation who will act as a resident agent, it must
likewise be of sound financial standing and must show proof that it is in good standing as certified by
the Commission.

Section 145. Resident Agent; Service of Process. – As a condition to the issuance of the license for a
foreign corporation to transact business in the Philippines, such corporation shall file with the
Commission a written power of attorney designating a person who must be a resident of the
Philippines, on whom summons and other legal processes may be served in all actions or other legal
proceedings against such corporation, and consenting that service upon such resident agent shall be
admitted and held as valid as if served upon the duly authorized officers of the foreign corporation at its
home office. Such foreign corporation shall likewise execute and file with the Commission an
agreement or stipulation, executed by the proper authorities of said corporation, in form and substance
as follows:

“The (name of foreign corporation) hereby stipulates and agrees, in consideration of being granted a
license to transact business in the Philippines, that if the corporation shall cease to transact business in
the Philippines, or shall be without any resident agent in the Philippines on whom any summons or
other legal processes may be served, then service of any summons or other legal process may be made
upon the Commission in any action or proceeding arising out of any business or transaction which
occurred in the Philippines and such service shall have the same force and effect as if made upon the
duly authorized officers of the corporation at its home office.”

Whenever such service of summons or other process is made upon the Commission, the Commission
shall, within ten (10) days thereafter, transmit by mail a copy of such summons or other legal process to
the corporation at its home or principal office. The sending of such copy by the Commission shall be a
necessary part of and shall complete such service. All expenses incurred by the Commission for such
service shall be paid in advance by the party at whose instance the service is made.

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It shall be the duty of the resident agent to immediately notify the Commission in writing of any change
in the resident agent’s address.

Section 146. Law Applicable. – A foreign corporation lawfully doing business in the Philippines shall
be bound by all laws, rules and regulations applicable to domestic corporations of the same class,
except those which provide for the creation, formation, organization or dissolution of corporations or
those which fix the relations, liabilities, responsibilities, or duties of stockholders, members, or officers
of corporations to each other or to the corporation.

Section 147. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Foreign Corporations. – Whenever

the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the
Philippines are amended, such foreign corporation shall, within sixty (60) days after the amendment
becomes effective, file with the Commission, and in the proper cases, with the appropriate government
agency, a duly authenticated copy of the amended articles of incorporation or bylaws, indicating clearly
in capital letters or underscoring the change or changes made, duly certified by the authorized official
or officials of the country or State of incorporation. Such filing shall not in itself enlarge or alter the
purpose or purposes for which such corporation is authorized to transact business in the Philippines.

Section 148. Amended License. – A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the
Philippines shall obtain an amended license in the event it changes its corporate name, or desires to
pursue other or additional purposes in the Philippines, by submitting an application with the
Commission, favorably endorsed by the appropriate government agency in the proper cases.

Section 149. Merger or Consolidation Involving a Foreign Corporation Licensed in the Philippines. –
One or more foreign corporations authorized to transact business in the Philippines may merge or
consolidate with any domestic corporation or corporations if permitted under Philippine laws and by
the law of its incorporation: Provided, That the requirements on merger or consolidation as provided in
this Code are followed.

Whenever a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the Philippines shall be a party to a
merger or consolidation in its home country or State as permitted by the law authorizing its
incorporation, such foreign corporation shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of such merger
or consolidation, file with the Commission, and in proper cases, with the appropriate government
agency, a copy of the articles of merger or consolidation duly authenticated by the proper official or
officials of the country or State under whose laws the merger or consolidation was effected: Provided,
however, That if the absorbed corporation is the foreign corporation doing business in the Philippines,
the latter shall at the same time file a petition for withdrawal of its license in accordance with this Title.

Section 150. Doing Business Without a License. – No foreign corporation transacting business in the
Philippines without a license, or its successors or assigns, shall be permitted to maintain or intervene in
any action, suit or proceeding in any court or administrative agency of the Philippines; but such
corporation may be sued or proceeded against before Philippine courts or administrative tribunals on
any valid cause of action recognized under Philippine laws.

Section 151. Revocation of License. – Without prejudice to other grounds provided under special laws,
the license of a foreign corporation to transact business in the Philippines may be revoked or suspended
by the Commission upon any of the following grounds:

53
 (a) Failure to file its annual report or pay any fees as required by this Code;
(b) Failure to appoint and maintain a resident agent in the Philippines as required by this Title;
(c) Failure, after change of its resident agent or address, to submit to the Commission a
statement of such change as required by this Title;
(d) Failure to submit to the Commission an authenticated copy of any amendment to its articles
of incorporation or bylaws or of any articles of merger or consolidation within the time
prescribed by this Title;
(e) A misrepresentation of any material matter in any application, report, affidavit or other
document submitted by such corporation pursuant to this Title;
(f) Failure to pay any and all taxes, imposts, assessments or penalties, if any, lawfully due to the
Philippine Government or any of its agencies or political subdivisions;
(g) Transacting business in the Philippines outside of the purpose or purposes for which such
corporation is authorized under its license;
(h) Transacting business in the Philippines as agent of or acting on behalf of any foreign
corporation or entity not duly licensed to do business in the Philippines; or
(i) Any other ground as would render it unfit to transact business in the Philippines.

Section 152. Issuance of Certificate of Revocation. – Upon the revocation of the license to transact
business in the Philippines, the Commission shall issue a corresponding certificate of revocation,
furnishing a copy thereof to the appropriate government agency in the proper cases.

The Commission shall also mail the notice and copy of the certificate of revocation to the corporation,
at its registered office in the Philippines.

Section 153. Withdrawal of Foreign Corporations. – Subject to existing laws and regulations, a foreign
corporation licensed to transact business in the Philippines may be allowed to withdraw from the
Philippines by filing a petition for withdrawal of license. No certificate of withdrawal shall be issued by
the Commission unless all the following requirements are met:

(a) All claims which have accrued in the Philippines have been paid, compromised or settled;
(b) All taxes, imposts, assessments, and penalties, if any, lawfully due to the Philippine
Government or any of its agencies or political subdivisions, have been paid; and
(c) The petition for withdrawal of license has been published once a week for three (3)
consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

TITLE XVI
INVESTIGATIONS, OFFENSES, AND PENALTIES

Section 154. Investigation and Prosecution of Offenses. – The Commission may investigate an alleged
violation of this Code, or of rule, regulation, or order of the Commission.

The Commission may publish its findings, orders, opinions, advisories, or information concerning any
such violation, as may be relevant to the general public or to the parties concerned, subject to the
provisions of Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”, and other
pertinent laws.

54
The Commission shall give reasonable notice to and coordinate with the appropriate regulatory agency
prior to any such publication involving companies under their special regulatory jurisdiction.

Section 155. Administration of Oaths, Subpoena of Witnesses and Documents. – The Commission,
through its designated officer, may administer oaths and affirmations, issue subpoena and subpoena
duces tecum, take testimony in any inquiry or investigation, and may perform other acts necessary to
the proceedings or to the investigation.
Section 156. Cease and Desist Orders. – Whenever the Commission has reasonable basis to believe
that a person has violated, or is about to violate this Code, a rule, regulation, or order of the
Commission, it may direct such person to desist from committing the act constituting the violation.

The Commission may issue a cease and desist order ex parte to enjoin an act or practice which is
fraudulent or can be reasonably expected to cause significant, imminent, and irreparable danger or
injury to public safety or welfare. The ex parte order shall be valid for a maximum period of twenty
(20) days, without prejudice to the order being made permanent after due notice and hearing.

Thereafter, the Commission may proceed administratively against such person in accordance with
Section 158 of this Code, and/or transmit evidence to the Department of Justice for preliminary
investigation or criminal prosecution and/or initiate criminal prosecution for any violation of this Code,
rule, or regulation.

Section 157. Contempt. – Any person who, without justifiable cause, fails or refuses to comply with
any lawful order, decision, or subpoena issued by the Commission shall, after due notice and hearing,
be held in contempt and fined in an amount not exceeding Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00). When
the refusal amounts to clear and open defiance of the Commission’s order, decision, or subpoena, the
Commission may impose a daily fine of One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) until the order, decision, or
subpoena is complied with.

Section 158. Administrative Sanctions. – If, after due notice and hearing, the Commission finds that any
provision of this Code, rules or regulations, or any of the Commission’s orders has been violated, the
Commission may impose any or all of the following sanctions, taking into consideration the extent of
participation, nature, effects, frequency and seriousness of the violation:

(a) Imposition of a fine ranging from Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Two million pesos
(P2,000,000.00), and not more than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) for each day of
continuing violation but in no case to exceed Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00);
(b) Issuance of a permanent cease and desist order;
(c) Suspension or revocation of the certificate of incorporation; and
(d) Dissolution of the corporation and forfeiture of its assets under the conditions in Title XIV
of this Code.

Section 159. Unauthorized Use of Corporate Name; Penalties. – The unauthorized use of a corporate
name shall be punished with a fine ranging from Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00).

Section 160. Violation of Disqualification Provision; Penalties. – When, despite the knowledge of the
existence of a ground for disqualification as provided in Section 26 of this Code, a director, trustee or

55
officer willfully holds office, or willfully conceals such disqualification, such director, trustee or officer
shall be punished with a fine ranging from Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Two hundred thousand
pesos (P200,000.00) at the discretion of the court, and shall be permanently disqualified from being a
director, trustee or officer of any corporation. When the violation of this provision is injurious or
detrimental to the public, the penalty shall be a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00)
to Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00).

Section 161. Violation of Duty to Maintain Records, to Allow their Inspection or Reproduction;
Penalties. – The unjustified failure or refusal by the corporation, or by those responsible for keeping
and maintaining corporate records, to comply with Sections 45, 73, 92, 128, 177 and other pertinent
rules and provisions of this Code on inspection and reproduction of records shall be punished with a
fine ranging from Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), at
the discretion of the court, taking into consideration the seriousness of the violation and its
implications. When the violation of this provision is injurious or detrimental to the public, the penalty
is a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Four hundred thousand pesos
(P400,000.00).

The penalties imposed under this section shall be without prejudice to the Commission’s exercise of its
contempt powers under Section 157 hereof.

Section 162. Willful Certification of Incomplete, Inaccurate, False, or Misleading Statements or

Reports; Penalties. – Any person who willfully certifies a report required under this Code, knowing
that the same contains incomplete, inaccurate, false, or misleading information or statements, shall be
punished with a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00). When the wrongful certification is injurious or detrimental to the public, the auditor or
the responsible person may also be punished with a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos
(P40,000.00) to Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00).

Section 163. Independent Auditor Collusion; Penalties. – An independent auditor who, in collusion
with the corporation’s directors or representatives, certifies the corporation’s financial statements
despite its incompleteness or inaccuracy, its failure to give a fair and accurate presentation of the
corporation’s condition, or despite containing false or misleading statements, shall be punished with a
fine ranging from Eighty thousand pesos (P80,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00).
When the statement or report certified is fraudulent, or has the effect of causing injury to the general
public, the auditor or responsible officer may be punished with a fine ranging from One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Six hundred thousand pesos (P600,000.00).

Section 164. Obtaining Corporate Registration Through Fraud; Penalties. – Those responsible for the
formation of a corporation through fraud, or who assisted directly or indirectly therein, shall be
punished with a fine ranging from Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) to Two million pesos
(P2,000,000.00). When the violation of this provision is injurious or detrimental to the public, the
penalty is a fine ranging from Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) to Five million pesos
(P5,000,000.00).

Section 165. Fraudulent Conduct of Business; Penalties. – A corporation that conducts its business
through fraud shall be punished with a fine ranging from Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) to
Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00). When the violation of this provision is injurious or detrimental to

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the public, the penalty is a fine ranging from Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) to Five
million pesos (P5,000,000.00).

Section 166. Acting as Intermediaries for Graft and Corrupt Practices; Penalties. – A corporation used
for fraud, or for committing or concealing graft and corrupt practices as defined under pertinent
statutes, shall be liable for a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Five
million pesos (P5,000,000.00).

When there is a finding that any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or representatives are
engaged in graft and corrupt practices, the corporation’s failure to install: (a) safeguards for the
transparent and lawful delivery of services; and (b) policies, code of ethics, and procedures against
graft and corruption shall be prima facie evidence of corporate liability under this section.

Section 167. Engaging Intermediaries for Graft and Corrupt Practices; Penalties. – A corporation that
appoints an intermediary who engages in graft and corrupt practices for the corporation’s benefit or
interest shall be punished with a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to One
million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

Section 168. Tolerating Graft and Corrupt Practices; Penalties. – A director, trustee, or officer who
knowingly fails to sanction, report, or file the appropriate action with proper agencies, allows or
tolerates the graft and corrupt practices or fraudulent acts committed by a corporation’s directors,
trustees, officers, or employees shall be punished with a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos
(P500,000.00) to One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

Section 169. Retaliation Against Whistleblowers. – A whistleblower refers to any person who provides
truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission of any offense or violation
under this Code. Any person who, knowingly and with intent to retaliate, commits acts detrimental to a
whistleblower such as interfering with the lawful employment or livelihood of the whistleblower, shall,
at the discretion of the court, be punished with a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) to One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

Section 170. Other Violations of the Code; Separate Liability. – Violations of any of the other
provisions of this Code or its amendments not otherwise specifically penalized therein shall be
punished by a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One million
pesos (P1,000,000.00). If the violation is committed by a corporation, the same may, after notice and
hearing, be dissolved in appropriate proceedings before the Commission: Provided, That such
dissolution shall not preclude the institution of appropriate action against the director, trustee, or officer
of the corporation responsible for said violation: Provided, further, That nothing in this section shall be
construed to repeal the other causes for dissolution of a corporation provided in this Code.

Liability for any of the foregoing offenses shall be separate from any other administrative, civil, or
criminal liability under this Code and other laws.

Section 171. Liability of Directors, Trustees, Officers, or Other Employees. – If the offender is a
corporation, the penalty may, at the discretion of the court, be imposed upon such corporation and/or
upon its directors, trustees, stockholders, members, officers, or employees responsible for the violation
or indispensable to its commission.

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Section 172. Liability of Aiders and Abettors and Other Secondary Liability. – Anyone who shall aid,
abet, counsel, command, induce, or cause any violation of this Code, or any rule, regulation, or order of
the Commission shall be punished with a fine not exceeding that imposed on the principal offenders, at
the discretion of the court, after taking into account their participation in the offense.

TITLE XVII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 173. Outstanding Capital Stock Defined. – The term “outstanding capital stock”, as used in this
Code, shall mean the total shares of stock issued under binding subscription contracts to subscribers or
stockholders, whether fully or partially paid, except treasury shares.

Section 174. Designation of Governing Boards. – The provisions of specific provisions of this Code to
the contrary notwithstanding, nonstock or special corporations may, through their articles of
incorporation or their bylaws, designate their governing boards by any name other than as board of
trustees.

Section 175. Collection and Use of Registration, Incorporation and Other Fees. – For a more effective
implementation of this Code, the Commission is hereby authorized to collect, retain, and use fees,
fines, and other charges pursuant to this Code and its rules and regulations. The amount collected shall
be deposited and maintained in a separate account which shall form a fund for its modernization and to
augment its operational expenses such as, but not limited to, capital outlay, increase in compensation
and benefits comparable with prevailing rates in the private sector, reasonable employee allowance,
employee health care services, and other insurance, employee career advancement and
professionalization, legal assistance, seminars, and other professional
fees.

Section 176. Stock Ownership in Corporations. – Pursuant to the duties specified by Article XIV of the
Constitution, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) shall, from time to time,
determine if the corporate vehicle has been used by any corporation, business, or industry to frustrate
the provisions of this Code or applicable laws, and shall submit to Congress, whenever deemed
necessary, a report of its findings, including recommendations for their prevention or correction.

The Congress of the Philippines may set maximum limits for stock ownership of individuals or groups
of individuals related to each other by consanguinity, affinity, or by close business interests, in
corporations declared to be vested with public interest pursuant to the provisions of this section, or
whenever necessary to prevent anti-competitive practices as provided in Republic Act No. 10667,
otherwise known as the “Philippine Competition Act”, or to implement national economic policies
designed to promote general welfare and economic development, as declared in laws, rules, and
regulations.

In recommending to the Congress which corporations, businesses and industries will be declared as
vested with public interest, and in formulating proposals for limitations on stock ownership, the NEDA
shall consider the type and nature of the industry, size of the enterprise, economies of scale, geographic
location, extent of Filipino ownership, labor intensity of the activity, export potential, as well as other

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factors which are germane to the realization and promotion of business and industry.

Section 177. Reportorial Requirements of Corporations. – Except as otherwise provided in this Code or
in the rules issued by the Commission, every corporation, domestic or foreign, doing business in the
Philippines shall submit to the Commission:

(a) Annual financial statements audited by an independent certified public accountant: Provided,
That if the total assets or total liabilities of the corporation are less than Six hundred
thousand pesos (P600,000.00), the financial statements shall be certified under oath by the
corporation’s treasurer or chief financial officer; and
(b) A general information sheet.

Corporations vested with public interest must also submit the following:

(1) A director or trustee compensation report; and

(2) A director or trustee appraisal or performance report and the standards or criteria used to
assess each director or trustee.

The reportorial requirements shall be submitted annually and within such period as may be prescribed
by the Commission.

The Commission may place the corporation under delinquent status in case of failure to submit the
reportorial requirements three (3) times, consecutively or intermittently, within a period of five (5)
years. The Commission shall give reasonable notice to and coordinate with the appropriate regulatory
agency prior to placing under delinquent status companies under their special regulatory jurisdiction.

Any person required to file a report with the Commission may redact confidential information from
such required report: Provided, That such confidential information shall be filed in a supplemental
report prominently labelled “confidential”, together with a request for confidential treatment of the
report and the specific grounds for the grant thereof.

Section 178. Visitorial Power and Confidential Nature of Examination Results. – The Commission shall
exercise visitorial powers over all corporations, which powers shall include the examination and
inspection of records, regulation and supervision of activities, enforcement of compliance, and
imposition of sanctions in accordance with this Code.

Should the corporation, without justifiable cause, refuse or obstruct the Commission’s exercise of its
visitorial powers, the Commission may revoke its certificate of incorporation, without prejudice to the
imposition of other penalties and sanctions under this Code.

All interrogatories propounded by the Commission and the answers thereto, as well as the results of any
examination made by the Commission or by any other official authorized by law to make an
examination of the operations, books, and records of any corporation, shall be kept strictly confidential,
except when the law requires the same to be made public, when necessary for the Commission to take
action to protect the public or to issue orders in the exercise of its powers under this Code, or where
such interrogatories, answers or results are necessary to be presented as evidence before any court.

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Section 179. Powers, Functions, and Jurisdiction of the Commission. – The Commission shall have the
power and authority to:

(a) Exercise supervision and jurisdiction over all corporations and persons acting on their
behalf, except as otherwise provided under this Code;
(b) Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 902-A, retain jurisdiction over pending cases involving
intra-corporate disputes submitted for final resolution. The Commission shall retain
jurisdiction over pending suspension of payment/rehabilitation cases filed as of 30 June
2000 until finally disposed;
(c) Impose sanctions for the violation of this Code, its implementing rules and orders of the
Commission;
(d) Promote corporate governance and the protection of minority investors, through, among
others, the issuance of rules and regulations consistent with international best practices;
(e) Issue opinions to clarify the application of laws, rules, and regulations;
(f) Issue cease and desist orders ex parte to prevent imminent fraud or injury to the public;
(g) Hold corporations in direct and indirect contempt;
(h) Issue subpoena duces tecum and summon witnesses to appear in proceedings before the
Commission;
(i) In appropriate cases, order the examination, search and seizure of documents, papers, files
and records, and books of accounts of any entity or person under investigation as may be
necessary for the proper disposition of the cases, subject to the provisions of existing laws;
(j) Suspend or revoke the certificate of incorporation after proper notice and hearing;
(k) Dissolve or impose sanctions on corporations, upon final court order, for committing, aiding
in the commission of, or in any manner furthering securities violations, smuggling, tax
evasion, money laundering, graft and corrupt practices, or other fraudulent or illegal acts;
(l) Issue writs of execution and attachment to enforce payment of fees, administrative fines, and
other dues collectible under this Code;
(m) Prescribe the number of independent directors and the minimum criteria in determining the
independence of a director;
(n) Impose or recommend new modes by which a stockholder, member, director, or trustee may
attend meetings or cast their votes, as technology may allow, taking into account the
company’s scale, number of shareholders or members, structure, and other factors consistent
with the basic right of corporate suffrage;
(o) Formulate and enforce standards, guidelines, policies, rules and regulations to carry out the
provisions of this Code; and
(p) Exercise such other powers provided by law or those which may be necessary or incidental
to carrying out the powers expressly granted to the Commission.

In imposing penalties and additional monitoring and supervision requirements, the Commission shall
take into consideration the size, nature of the business, and capacity of the corporation.

No court below the Court of Appeals shall have jurisdiction to issue a restraining order, preliminary
injunction, or preliminary mandatory injunction in any case, dispute, or controversy that directly or
indirectly interferes with the exercise of the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Commission that
falls exclusively within its jurisdiction.

Section 180. Development and Implementation of Electronic Filing and Monitoring System. – The

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Commission shall develop and implement an electronic filing and monitoring system. The Commission
shall promulgate rules to facilitate and expedite, among others, corporate name reservation and
registration, incorporation, submission of reports, notices, and documents required under this Code, and
sharing of pertinent information with other government agencies.

Section 181. Arbitration for Corporations. – An arbitration agreement may be provided in the articles
of incorporation or bylaws of an unlisted corporation. When such an agreement is in place, disputes
between the corporation, its stockholders or members, which arise from the implementation of the
articles of incorporation or bylaws, or from intra-corporate relations, shall be referred to arbitration. A
dispute shall be nonarbitrable when it involves criminal offenses and interests of third parties.

The arbitration agreement shall be binding on the corporation, its directors, trustees, officers, and
executives or managers.

To be enforceable, the arbitration agreement should indicate the number of arbitrators and the
procedure for their appointment. The power to appoint the arbitrators forming the arbitral tribunal shall
be granted to a designated independent third party. Should the third party fail to appoint the arbitrators
in the manner and within the period specified in the arbitration agreement, the parties may request the
Commission to appoint the arbitrators. In any case, arbitrators must be accredited or must belong to
organizations accredited for the purpose of arbitration.

The arbitral tribunal shall have the power to rule on its own jurisdiction and on questions relating to the
validity of the arbitration agreement. When an intra-corporate dispute is filed with a Regional Trial
Court, the court shall dismiss the case before the termination of the pretrial conference, if it determines
that an arbitration agreement is written in the corporation’s articles of incorporation, bylaws, or in a
separate agreement.

The arbitral tribunal shall have the power to grant interim measures necessary to ensure enforcement of
the award, prevent a miscarriage of justice, or otherwise protect the rights of the parties.

A final arbitral award under this section shall be executory after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from
receipt thereof by the parties and shall be stayed only by the filing of a bond or the issuance by the
appellate court of an injunctive writ.

The Commission shall formulate the rules and regulations, which shall govern arbitration under this
section, subject to existing laws on arbitration.

Section 182. Jurisdiction Over Party-List Organizations. – The powers, authorities, and responsibilities
of the Commission involving party-list organizations are transferred to the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC).

Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, the monitoring, supervision, and regulation of
such corporations shall be deemed automatically transferred to the COMELEC.

For this purpose, the COMELEC, in coordination with the Commission, shall promulgate the
corresponding implementing rules for the transfer of jurisdiction over the abovementioned
corporations.

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Section 183. Applicability of the Code. – Nothing in this law shall be construed as amending existing
provisions of special laws governing the registration, regulation, monitoring and supervision of special
corporations such as banks, nonbank financial institutions and insurance companies.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, regulators such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and
the Insurance Commission shall exercise primary authority over special corporations such as banks,
nonbank financial institutions, and insurance companies under their supervision and regulation.

Section 184. Effect of Amendment or Repeal of This Code, or the Dissolution of a Corporation. – No
right or remedy in favor of or against any corporation, its stockholders, members, directors, trustees, or
officers, nor any liability incurred by any such corporation, stockholders, members, directors, trustees,
or officers, shall be removed or impaired either by the subsequent dissolution of said corporation or by
any subsequent amendment or repeal of this Code or of any part thereof.

Section 185. Applicability to Existing Corporation. – A corporation lawfully existing and doing
business in the Philippines affected by the new requirements of this Code shall be given a period of not
more than two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act within which to comply.

Section 186. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional,
other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 187. Repealing clause. – Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as “The Corporation Code
of the Philippines”, is hereby repealed. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of
this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 188. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect upon completion of its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

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