Powers of a Corporation Flashcards
Enumerate the powers and capacity of a corporation.
(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 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, and to amend or repeal the same in accordance with the Code.
(f) In case of stock corporation, 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 non-stock 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.
(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.
With regards to the power to sue and be sued, who has such power?
The power to sue is lodged with the board of directors or board of trustees. The president may sign the certificate of non-forum shopping if authorized through a board resolution.
Except when a stockholder is suing on a derivative action.
What are the three kinds of powers of the corporation?
Express powers, which are powers expressly provided under its articles of incorporation and bylaws.
Incidental powers, which are powers that are reasonably necessary to accomplish the express powers.
Incidental powers, which are powers inherently necessary to carry out the purpose of the corporation.
How may a corporation extend or shorten its 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 by at least 2/3 of the stockholders representing the outstanding capital stock or of its members.
In extending or shortening its corporate term, with regards to the written notice, what is the rule?
Written notice of the proposed action and the time and place of the meeting shall be sent to stockholders or members either served personally, or electronically when allowed by the bylaws or done with the consent of the stockholders.
When should the extension of the lifetime of a corporation be done?
Extension must be done during the lifetime of a corporation but not earlier than 3 years prior to the original or subsequent expiry dates unless there are justifiable reasons for an earlier extension.
What is the effect if a corporation failed to extend its corporate term?
Automatic dissolution is no longer applicable given the option available to revive the corporate term. The period for revival is not indicated in the Revised Corporation Code, so the period must be deemed reasonable.
How can a stock corporation increase or decrease its capital stock or incur, create, or increase any bonded indebtedness?
A corporation may increase or decrease its capital stock or incur, create, or increase any bonded indebtedness through approval by the majority of the board of directors and by 2/3 of the stockholders of the outstanding capital stock.
In relation to increasing or decreasing capital stock or incurring, creating, or increasing bonded indebtedness, who will be the signatories of the Director’s Certificate? What are its contents?
The director’s certificate must be signed by the majority of the board of directors and countersigned by the president and the secretary of the stockholders’ meeting.
Its contents are:
(a) Requirements of Section 37 has been complied
(b) The amount of the increase or decrease of the capital stock
(c) Specified requirements in case of increase of capital stock
(d) Any bonded indebtedness to be incurred, created, or increased
(e) Amount of stock represented at the meeting
(f) Votes
In applying for the increase in capital stock before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the application must be accompanied with?
Sworn statement of the treasurer of the corporation lawfully holding office at that time which shows:
(a) At least 25% of the increase in capital stock has been subscribed
(b) At least 25% of the subscribed amount must be paid in cash to the corporation
(c) The valuation of the 25% of the subscribed amount has been transferred to the corporation
What is the rule regarding preemptive rights?
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.
What is a preemptive right?
Preemptive right is the preferential right of shareholders to subscribe to all issues or disposition of shares of any class in proportion to their present shareholdings.
Shares of stock should first be offered proportionately to the stockholder before they can be issued or sold to non-stockholders.
What are the instances when preemptive right is available?
(a) All issues of stock of any class such as issuance of unissued shares forming part of the authorized capital stocks, or issuance of new shares resulting from the increase of capital stocks
(b) All dispositions of stocks of any class
(c) Preemptive right of stockholders in close corporations
What are the instances when preemptive right is not available?
(a) Payment of previously contracted debts
(b) The right is denied in the articles of corporation
(c) Waiver of the right by the stockholder
What is the remedy for a stockholder not in favor of an amendment of the articles of incorporation?
The stockholder may exercise his appraisal right since the amendment of the articles of incorporation has the effect of changing or restricting the rights of a shareholder or any shares.