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Title V BY-LAWS Section 46 Adoption of By-Laws Q: What are By-laws? A: By-laws are like an official game plan on how a corporation is to be run and operated. By-laws also state the rights and powers of the shareholders, directors and officers. Q: What are the by-laws for? A: The by-laws are adopted to govern the internal affairs of the corporation. It serves as the corporations constitution or law. Every corporation has the inherent power to make and adopt by-laws, such power of self-government being essential to enable the corporation to accomplish its purpose. (GOKONGWEI V SEC) As a general rule, they are necessary for the government of the corporation. Q: Are the By-laws necessary for the existence of a corporation? A: No. As the rules and regulations or private laws enacted by the corporation to regulate, govern, and control its own actions, affairs, and concerns and its stockholders or members and directors and officers with relation thereto and among themselves in their relation to it, they may not be essential to corporate birth but certainly, these are required by law for an orderly governance and management of corporations. The following are cases when by-laws are not necessary either to the valid existence of a corporation or to the valid exercise of corporate powers: a) Charter or statutory provisions so provide that it is necessary; b) The charter sufficiently provides for the government of the body/corporation; or c) The governing statute in express terms confers upon the corporation the power to adopt by-laws, the failure to exercise the power will be ascribed to mere non-action which will not render void any acts of the corporation which would otherwise be valid. The mere fact, however, of the existence of power in the corporation to adopt by-laws does not ordinarily and of necessity make the exercise of such power essential to its corporate life, or to the validity of any of its acts. (LGV V CA) Q: If the law provides for a period within which to file the Bylaws, does the failure to file it within the prescribed period automatically dissolve the corporation? A: No. As held in LGV V CA, failure to file them within the period required by law by no means tolls the automatic dissolution of a corporation. Q: Are there any limitations to the corporations power to adopt by-laws? A: Yes. The by-laws must be in accordance with the laws, and also the articles of incorporation, because the by-laws are merely subordinate to these two (LGV V CA). As held in the case of FLEISCHER V BOTICA NOLASCO, a corporation may also not adopt by-laws, which impede or obstruct the rights of a stockholder to sell or transfer his/her shares of stock. Shares of stock are personal properties of the stockholders, who alone exercises the power to sell or dispose of
them. In SALAFRANCA V PHILAMLIFE, amendment of the By-laws (or adoption of one), which would result in the impairment of the contract between an employee and an employer, and upset an employees security of tenure, cannot be made. Q: Can the Courts determine and adjudge the reasonableness of By-laws? A: As a general rule, the courts will not interfere with the reasonableness of the by-laws, when they have been adopted by those who are authorized to do so by the law. However, the court is justified in ascertaining the validity of the by-laws when the reasonableness of it is a mere matter of judgment, and one upon which reasonable minds must necessarily differ. (GOKONGWEI V SEC) Q: How does a corporation adopt its by-laws? A: The by-laws are adopted one month after receipt of notice of issuance of the certificate of incorporation. It may also be filed even before incorporation, PROVIDED, it is approved and signed by all incorporators and submitted to SEC together with Articles of Incorporation. It must be approved by majority of outstanding shares/members (non-voting stockholders/members may vote). Once adopted, it is kept in the principal office of the corporation, subject to inspection by the stockholders/members. A certified copy signed by a majority of the directors/trustees counter signed by the Corporate Secretary will be filed and attached to the original Articles of incorporation. Q: Are the rules on the adoption of By-laws the same for all kinds of corporations?
A: No. For banks, insurance companies, public utilities, educational corporations and other special corporations, the bylaws need prior approval of the proper government agency supervising them. Q: When do the By-laws become effective? A: They only become effective upon certification by the SEC that they are not inconsistent with the Corporation Code. Cases: Gokongwei v SEC Facts: Petitioner, as stockholder of San Miguel, filed suit in SEC questioning an amendment made by SMC in its by-laws. The directors passed an amendment to the by-laws, which in essence disqualified him from being eligible as a member of the Board of Directors. He contends that under the Corporation Code, the power to amend, modify or adopt the by-laws can only be delegated to the Directors by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing not less than 2/3 of the subscribed and paid-up capital stock of the corporation, with the 2/3 being computed at the time of the amendment (or modification or adoption). The basis for the computation of the 2/3 vote in this case was based on a 1961 authorization, with the amendment being made in 1976. Thus, he contends that the said amendment is null and void. Issue: Whether the said by-laws as amended were valid. Held: Yes. Every corporation has the inherent power to make and adopt by-laws, such power of self-government being essential to enable the corporation to accomplish its purpose. A corporation may
continued working. Salafranca was subsequently terminated in 1992, thus, he filed a complaint for illegal dismissal with money claims and damages. The Labor Arbiter ruled in Salafrancas favor. The NLRC however reduced the amount of the judgment award. Because of this, Salafranca filed an appeal to the SC. Issue: Whether Philamlife can amend its By-laws in such a way as to make petitioners employment subject to the whims of the BoDs. Held: No. Philamlife cannot amend the By-laws by making the holder of the said position co-terminus with the authority, which employed him. To do so would constitute as an impairment of a contract between an employee on the one hand, and an employer on the other. This would also result in depriving an employee of his security of tenure. If this is allowed, employers can go ahead and amend its Bylaws so as to upset an employees security of tenure. (Also, no evidence was presented to show that Salfranca was dismissed on valid grounds. Thus, Philamlife was ordered to pay for Salafran cas backwages and other benefits entitled to him under the law.) Loyola Grandvillas v CA Facts: The Home Insurance and Guaranty Corp (HIGC) recognized the LGHVA as the sole homeowners association in Loyola Grand Villas (in QC and Marikina). When LGVHAI was organized, it failed to file its corporate By-laws. In 1988, the officers of LGVHAI tried to register its by-laws, but they still failed to do so. HIGC said that LGVHAI was automatically dissolved for 2 reasons: first, for its failure to submit its by-laws, and second, there was non-user of corporate charter because HIGC had not received any report on LGVs activities. Thus, LGV filed a complaint with HIGC questioning the revocation of their certificate of registration. The HIGC hearing officer recognized the existence of LGVHAI, and revoked the registration of the 2 other associations.
Issue: Whether the failure of a corporation to file its by-laws within one month from the date of its incorporation, as mandated by the Corporation Code, will result in its automatic dissolution. Held: No. It is clear in the Code that the legislature never intended such result. The pertinent provision in the Code states that every corporation must within 1 month after receipt of the official notice of the issuance of its certificate of incorporation adopt a code of bylaws, clearly implying that it is merely directory and not mandatory. It necessarily follows that failure to file the by-laws within such period does not imply the demise of the corporation. By-laws may be necessary for the government of the corporation but these are subordinate to the articles of incorporation as well as to the Corporation Code and other statutes. In the absence of charter or statutory provisions to the contrary, by-laws are not necessary either to the existence of a corporation or to the valid exercise of the powers conferred upon it, certainly in all cases where the charter sufficiently provides for the government of the body; and even where the governing statute in express terms confers upon the corporation the power to adopt by-laws, the failure to exercise the power will be ascribed to mere non-action which will not render void any acts of the corporation which would otherwise be valid. The mere fact, however, of the existence of power in the corporation to adopt by-laws does not ordinarily and of necessity make the exercise of such power essential to its corporate life, or to the validity of any of its acts. As the rules and regulations or private laws enacted by the corporation to regulate, govern, and control its own actions, affairs, and concerns and its stockholders or members and directors and officers with relation thereto and among themselves in their relation to it, they may not be essential to corporate birth but certainly, these are required by law for an orderly governance and management of corporations. Nonetheless,
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A: Yes. This may be done by the majority vote of the outstanding capital stock or the members. Q: What is the difference between adopting the original by-laws from the amendment of the by-laws? A: The adoption of the original by-laws may not be delegated to the Board of Directors, and must be done by the original stockholders/members, and only amendments or repeals may be delegated. Q: Does the amendment of the by-laws differ from the amendment of the Articles of incorporation? A: Yes. Unlike amendment or repeal of new by-laws, amendment of the Article of Incorporation cannot be delegated (see Sec. 16) Cases: Gokongwei v SEC: (Same case as in the previous Section) Every Corporation has the inherent power to make and adopt by-laws, such power of self-government being essential to enable the corporation to accomplish its purpose. A corporation may prescribe in its by-laws the qualifications of its directors. Section 22 of the Corporation Law provides that the owners of majority of the subscribed capital stock may amend or repeal any by-law or adopt new ones.
e) Time/manner of giving notice for holding annual elction of directors/trustees (in a Stockholders/Members meeting) f) Election/appointment /term of office of officers (in a Board meeting) g) Penalty for violations of By-laws h) Manner of issuing stock certififcates i) Other matters (Compare these matters with contents of Articles of Incorporation in Sec. 14) Section 48 Amendments to (or repeal or adoption of) By-laws Q: How are by-laws amended/repealed? A: The amendment must be voted upon by the majority of the board in a meeting, AND the majority of the outstanding capital stock or members at a meeting called for this purpose. Even stockholders who hold non-voting shares may vote. Q: May the power to amend the by-laws be delegated to the Board of directors? A: Yes. For this, 2/3 vote of the outstanding capital stock or the members must be attained. Q: May this delegated power be revoked?
Facts: It was agreed by the stockholders of Daguhoy Enterprises at a stockholders meeting that the said corporation shall be voluntarily dissolved, and was placed under the receivership of Gapol, the largest stockholder. A petition for voluntary dissolution was drafted and signed by Ponce, which was to be filed with the appropriate authorities. It was found out that instead of filing the petition, Gapol filed a complaint in the CFI for the accounting of the funds and assets of the corporation, and to reimburse it the amounts expended for the purchase of a parcel of land, a loan extended to the wife of Ponce, and an amount spent by Ponce in a trip to the US. Gapol contends that such amount, taken from the corporation, was misapplied, misappropriated and misspent by Ponce to his own use and benefit, thus he prayed for the removal of Ponce as a member of the board of directors. Such removal was rejected by the court, but Gapols petition for the calling of a stockholders meeting, was granted. At said meeting, a new set of board of directors was elected. Ponce filed a petition in the lower court seeking to set aside its order, but the same was denied. Thus, they filed for an appeal to the SC. Issue: Whether the Court may issue such order directing a stockholder to call a meeting of the stockholders of a corporation Held: Yes. The corporation law provides that whenever, from any cause, there is no person authorized to call a meeting, or when the officer authorized to do so refuses, fails or neglects to call a meeting, any judge of a CFI on the showing of a good cause therefore, may issue an order to any stockholder or member of a corporation, directing him to call a meeting of the corporation by giving the proper notice required. Thus, on the showing of good cause therefore, the court may authorize a stockholder to call a meeting and to preside thereat until the majority stockholders representing a majority of the stock present and permitted to be voted shall have chosen one among them
to preside. This showing of good cause exists when the court is apprised of the fact that the by-laws of the corporation require the calling of a general meeting of the stockholders to elect the board of directors but the call of the meeting has not been done. There is no need to issue a notice of hearing, nor is there any necessity to hold a hearing, upon the board of directors. The court here found good cause in calling the meeting for the election of a new board, because the chairman of the board of directors who is so authorized to call such meeting, failed, neglected or refused to perform his duty. Having the authority to grant such relief, the lower court did not exceed its jurisdiction nor did it abuse its discretion in granting it. Board of Directors v Tan Facts: The CFI, acting on a suit filed by del Castillo, declared the previous elections of the board of directors of SMB Workers Savings and Loans Association null and void, and ordered that a new meeting be called for the purpose of conducting another election to replace the members of the board. The said court also issued a writ of execution for the immediate execution of the said judgment. Despite opposition form the defendants, the election committee set the meeting for the conduct of the elections. But the plaintiffs filed an ex-parte motion alleging that it would be inequitable to allow the election committee to conduct and supervise the elections, as it is composed of the same members who conducted and supervised the previous elections, which was declared null and void by the court. The plaintiffs also allege that the notice of said meeting was only sent 2 days before the scheduled meeting, which was in contravention of the by-laws of the corporation providing for a 5-day written notice requirement. Thus, they prayed that the court appoint a representative/s, to supervise and conduct the said elections. The court issued an order, which cancelled the scheduled elections and constituted a new committee
c) For Voluntary Dissolution, Section 118 provides that such notice must be by publication AND written notice be sent by registered mail or served personally; and d) For Merger or Consolidation, Section 77 requires that written notice be served personally or by registered mail, which shall state the purpose of the meeting and shall include a copy of the plan. Q: If the meeting was improperly called or improperly held, does this invalidate the proceedings therein? A: No. All proceedings/business transacted in a meeting are valid even if such meeting was improperly held or called, PROVIDED that all stockholders or members were present or represented. Section 52 Quorum in (Stockholders/Members) Meeting Q: What constitutes a quorum? A: The quorum is that which is specified in the Corporation Code or in the By-laws. Otherwise, it means a majority of the outstanding capital stock/members. This is 50% of the outstanding capital stock (for stock corporations) + 1 share, and not 51% of the outstanding capital stock. For non-stock corporations, it is 50% of all the members, + 1 member. Case: Lanuza v CA Facts: PMMSI was organized in 1952, and in its articles of incorporation, it had 776 subscribed capital stock. But, in its stock and transfer book, which was registered only in 1978, only 165 shares of stock was said to have been subscribed and issued. A special
stockholders meeting was called for the election of a new set of officers of PMMSI, but this was questioned by the respondents alleging that the quorum in the said meeting was based on the number of shares of stock indicated in the stock and transfer book, not on the number of shares indicated in the articles of incorporation. The SEC dismissed respondents petition, but on appeal, it directed the parties to call for a stockholders meeting on the basis of the stockholdings in the articles of incorporation for the purpose of selecting a new set of officers of the corporation. Petitioners, stockholders of PMMSI, filed an appeal with the CA, which held that the basis of the quorum should be the number of shares of stock as found in the articles of incorporation. Thus, the petitioners filed an appeal in the SC. Issue: Whether it is the companys stock and transfer book, or its articles of incorporation, which determines the stockholders shareholdings, and provides the basis for computing the quorum. Held: The Basis for computing the quorum in a stockholders meeting are the stockholders shareholdings indicated in the articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation has been described as the charter of the corporation and the contractual relationships between the State and the corporation, the stockholders and the State, and between the corporation and the stockholders. Also, the contents of the articles of incorporation are binding, not only on the corporation, but also on its stockholders. Hence, since the articles of incorporation of PMMSI indicate that the were 776 issued and outstanding shares, the petitioners, who are stockholders, cannot be heard to deny such fact. The stock and transfer book only indicates the record of the transactions of the stockholders in reference to their shares of stock, and as a record, it s contents are only prima facie evidence. The stock and transfer book of PMMSI cannot be used as the sole basis for determining the quorum as it does not reflect the totality of shares