Law 312: Corporation Law

Second Semester 2017-2018

A. Course Description
This course involves the study of the Corporation Code and other special laws governing private
corporations, including foreign corporations and the concept of doing business in the
Philippines. The course includes in depth analysis of the applicable common law and
commercial principles underlying the various relationships in the corporate setting, with
emphasis on the corporation being a medium for business enterprise and a means of providing
for the equity investment market.

B. Course Objective
At the end of this course, students are expected to have a good understanding of the legal
personality of corporations, how they are formed, and their basic difference from single
proprietorships, and partnerships.

C. Course Outline and Timeframe

WEEK TOPIC
1
I. INTRODUCTION
Historical Background of Phillippine Corporate Law
II. CONCEPT AND ATTRIBUTES OF A CORPORATION
A. Statutory definition of a corporation (Section 2, CC)
B. Attributes of a corporation
1. Artificial being
a. Doctrine of Corporate Entity
(i) residence and nationality
(ii) constitutional rights
(iii) criminal liability
(iv) right to recover moral damages
b. Doctrine of Piercing the Veil of Corporate Entity
(i) alter ego principle and instrumentality rule
(ii) probative factors of identity
2. Creature of Law (See constitutional limitations on the creation
of a private corporation, Article 12, Section 16, Constitution; Concession
theory)
3. Right of Succession
4. Creature of Enumerated Powers, Attributes and Properties
a. Doctrine of limited capacities as compared to the Doctrine of general
 capacities)
b. Ultra vires doctrine

2
Classification of Private Corporations
1. stock and non-stock
2. domestic and foreign
3. dejure and de facto (Sec. 20, CC)
(See: doctrine of corporation by estoppel [Sec. 21, CC])
4. holding, affiliate and subsidiary
5. open and close
CASES: Feliciano vs. COA, January 14, 2004; Manila International Airport
Authority vs. CA, 20 July 2006; Magsaysay-Labrador vs. CA, 180 SCRA
266; Sulo ng Bayan vs. Araneta, 72 SCRA 247; Bataan Shipyard vs. PCGG,
150 SCRA 181; Luxuria Homes vs. CA, 302 SCRA 315; Concept Builders
vs. NLRC, 257 SCRA 149; Villarey Transit vs. Ferrer, 25 SCRA 845;
Francisco Motors vs. CA, 309 SCRA 72; Lipat, et al. vs. Pacific Banking
Corp., GR No. 142435, April 30, 2003; Times Transportation Company vs.
Santos Sotelo, et. al., GR No. 163786. February 16, 2005; Yao, Sr. vs.
People, et al., 19 June 2007; Hall vs. Piccio, 86 Phil 603; Seventh Day
Adventist vs. Northeastern Mindanao Mission, 21 July 2006; Lim Tong Lim
vs. CA, 317 SCRA 728; International Express Travel and Tour Services vs.
CA, October 19, 2000; Filipinas Broadcasting Network, Inc. vs. Ago Medical
and Educational Center-Bicol Christian College of Medicine, G.R. No.
141994, January 17, 2005; Coastal Pacific Trading, Inc. vs. Southern Rolling
Mills Co., Inc. 497 SCRA 11, 28 July 2006

3
III. FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION OF A PRIVATE
CORPORATION
A. Submission of articles of incorporation; contractual significance
B. Contents and form of the Articles of Incorporation (Sec. 14 & 15, CC)
1. corporate name
a. statutory limitations on the use of corporate name (Sec. 18, CC)
b. SEC guidelines on the use of corporate name
c. Doctrine of secondary meaning
d. Change of corporate name
2. purpose clause
3. principal office
4. term of existence
 a. doctrine of relation
5. incorporators
6. directors and trustees
7. capitalization
8. shares of stock (Sec. 6, CC)
a. doctrine of equality of shares
b. classes of shares
(i) par and no par
(ii) voting and non-voting
(iii) common and preferred
(iv) redeemable, treasury and founder's shares
9. treasurer's affidavit

4
C. Grounds for rejection of the Articles of Incorporation (Sec. 17, CC)
D. Commencement of corporate existence (Sec. 19, CC)
E. Amendment of the articles of incorporation (Sec. 16, CC)
F. Effects of non-use of corporate charter (Sec. 22, CC)
CASES: Lyceum of the Philippines vs. CA, 219 SCRA 612; Ang Mga
Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios vs. Iglesia ng Dios Kay Kristo Jesus, December 12,
2001; Industrial Refractories Corporation of the Phils. vs. Refractories Corp.
of the Phils., Oct. 3, 2002; JG Summit Holdings vs. CA, September 24, 2003;
Young Auto Supply vs. CA, 223 SCRA 670; Republic Planters Bank vs.
Agana, 269 SCRA 1; Castillo, et. al. vs. Balinghasay, et. al. G.R. No. 150976,
October 18, 2004

5
IV. CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF A CORPORATION
A. Levels of corporate control
B. Board of Directors/Trustees
1. general powers of the board (Sec. 23, CC)
2. business judgment rule
3. qualifications of the board members (Sec. 23 & 27, CC)
4. election of the board members (Sec. 24 & 26, CC); See cumulative voting
procedure
5. term of office
6. quorum requirement in board meetings (Sec. 25, CC)
7. removal of board members (Sec. 28, CC)
8. vacancies in the board (Sec. 29, CC)
9. compensation of board members (Sec. 30, CC)
 D. Liability of directors, trustees and officers
1. instances when corporate officers/directors are held solidarily liable (Sec.
31, CC)
2. self-dealing directors/officers (Sec. 32, CC)
3. contracts involving inter-locking directors (Sec. 33, CC)
4. doctrine of corporate opportunity (Sec. 34, CC)
E. Executive committee (Sec. 33, CC)
6
CASES: Grace Christian Highschool vs. CA, 281 SCRA 133; Gokongwei vs.
SEC, 89 SCRA 336; Western Institute of Technology vs. Salas, 278 SCRA
216; Nacpil vs. International Broadcasting Corp., March 21, 2002; People's
Aircargo vs. CA, Oct. 7, 1998; Prime White Cement vs. IAC, 220 SCRA 103;
Santos vs. NLRC, 254 SCRA 673; Sps. David, et al vs. Construction Industry
and Arbitration Commission, G.R. No. 159795, July 30, 2004; Malayang
Samahan ng mga Manggagawa vs. Ramos, April 20, 2001; Inter-Asia
Investments Industries vs. CA, GR 125778, June 10, 2003; Lapu-lapu
Foundation, Inc. vs. CA, GR 126006, January 29, 2004; Hydro Resources
Contractors Corporation vs. National Irrigation Administration, G.R. No.
160215 November 10, 2004; Monfort Hermanos Agricultural Development
Corp. vs. Monfort, III, et.al., G.R. No. 152542, July 8, 2004; McLeod vs.
NLRC, et al., 23 January 2007; Carag vs. NLRC, 02 April 2007

7
V. CORPORATE POWERS
A. Doctrine of limited capacity; concept of ultra vires act (Sec. 45, CC)
B. Classes of corporate powers (express, implied and incidental)
C. Statutory powers of a corporation and the limitations on their exercise
(Sec.
36, CC)
1. amendment of articles of incorporation (Sec. 16, CC)
2. extension/shortening of corporate term (Sec. 37, CC)
3. increase or decrease of capital stock (Sec. 38, CC)
4. incurrence, creation or increase of bonded indebtedness (Sec. 38, CC)
5. sale or disposition of assets (Sec. 40, CC)
6. acquisition of corporate shares (Sec. 41, CC) (See Trust Fund Doctrine)
7. investment of corporate funds (Sec. 42, CC)
8. declaration of dividends (Sec. 43, CC)
9. management contract (Sec. 44, CC)
10. adoption/amendment of By-laws
a. Concept, use and nature of by-laws
b. By-laws in relation to articles of incorporation
c. Adoption of by-laws (Sec. 46, CC); effect of non-filing within the
prescribed period
 d. Contents of by-laws; requisites of a valid by-law provision
e. Amendment to by-laws (Sec. 48, CC)
f. By-laws in relation to third parties
8
11. merger and consolidation
a. Requisites of and procedure for merger and consolidation (Sec. 77,
CC)
b. Effects of merger or consolidation (Sec. 80, CC)
CASES: Nielson & Co. vs. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co., 26 SCRA 540;
Islamic Directorate vs. CA, 272 SCRA 454; Dee vs. SEC, 199 SCRA 238;
PNB vs. Andrada Electric, April 17, 2002; Loyola Grandvillas Homeowners
Association vs. CA, 276 SCRA 681; China Banking Corporation vs. CA, 270
SCRA 503; Associated Bank vs. CA, 291 SCRA 511; Babst vs. CA, January
26, 2001; Mindanao Savings vs. Willkom, 11 October 2010
VI. RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
A. Right to attend meetings
1. Kinds of meetings
2. Requirements of a meeting
9 MIDTERM EXAM
10
B. Right to vote
1. instances when voting right not available
2. rules on:
a. delinquent shares; (Sec. 71, CC)
b. escrow shares;
c. unpaid shares; (Sec. 72, CC)
d. sequestered shares;
e. pledgor, mortgagor, or administrator of shares (Sec. 55, CC)
f. shares jointly owned (Sec. 56, CC)
B. Right to appoint proxy (Sec. 58, CC)
C. Right to execute voting trust agreement (Sec. 58 & 59, CC)
D. Right of Inspection
1. Books required to be kept by a corporation (Sec. 74, CC)
2. Right to inspect corporate books
3. Basis and extent of the right of inspection
4. Limitations on the right of inspection
5. Remedies to enforce right of inspection

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E. Pre-emptive right (Sec. 39, CC)
F. Appraisal Right
 1. Concept of appraisal right
2. Instances of appraisal right (Sec. 81, Sec. 77, Sec. 42, CC)
3. Requirements for a valid exercise of appraisal right (Sec. 82, CC)
4. Effects of exercising appraisal right (Sec. 83, CC)
E. Derivative suit; concept and requisites
CASES: Lee vs. CA 205 SCRA 725; Republic vs. Sandiganbayan, April 30,
2003; Republic vs. Cocofed, December 12, 2001; Evangelista vs. Santos, 86
SCRA 387; Chua vs. CA, GR No. 150793, November 19, 2004; Expert
Travel & Tours, Inc. vs. Court of Appeals and Korean Airlines GR No.
152392, May 26, 2005; Gonzales vs. PNB, 122 SCRA 489

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VII. SUBSCRIPTION CONTRACT
A. Ways to become a stockholder of a corporation
B. Concept of subscription contract
C. Kinds of subscription (pre and post incorporation subscription, Sec. 61,
CC)
D. Consideration for the issuance of shares (Sec. 62, CC)
E. Payment of subscription
1. remedies to enforce payment of subscription (Sec. 68, 69 & 70, CC)
2. when shares are considered delinquent (Sec. 67, CC)
F. Certificate of Stock (Sec. 63, CC)
1. doctrine of indivisibility of subscription contract
2. certificate of stock, quasi-negotiable
G. Transfer of shares
H. Lost and destroyed certificate of stock (Sec. 73, CC)
CASES: Nava vs. Peers Marketing, 74 SCRA 65; Lim Tay vs. CA, August 5,
1998; Rural Bank of Lipa vs. CA, Sept. 28, 2001; Ponce vs. Alsons Cement,
Dec. 10, 2002; Ong Yong, et al. vs. Tiu, et al., G.R. Nos. 144476 & 144629,
April 8, 2003

13
VIII. NON-STOCK CORPORATIONS
Definition and purposes of a non-stock corporation (Sec. 87 & 88, CC)
Distinguished from stock corporation
Membership in a non-stock corporation
Rule on distribution of assets (Sec. 94, CC)
 CASES: Long vs. Basa, et al. , Sept. 27, 2001; Sta. Clara Homeowners'
Association vs. Sps. Gaston, Jan. 23, 2002; Padcom vs. Ortigas Center, May
9, 2002; Tan vs. Sycip 17 August 2006

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IX. CLOSE CORPORATIONS
A. Concept; distinguished from open corporations (Sec. 96, 97, 101, & 102,
CC)
B. Permissive provisions in the articles of incorporation (Sec. 97, CC)
C. Restrictions on transfer of shares (Sec. 98 & 99 CC)
CASES: Dulay Enterprises vs. CA, 225 SCRA 678; San Juan Structural Steel
Fabricators, 296 SCRA 632
X. RELIGIOUS/EDUCATIONAL CORPORATIONS
A. Classes of Religious Corporation
1. corporation sole
2. religious society
B. Educational Corporation
CASE: Iglesia Evangelica vs. Bishop Lazaro, 6 July 2010

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XI. CORPORATE DISSOLUTION/LIQUIDATION
A. Methods of voluntary corporate dissolution and the requirements therefor
B. Concept of involuntary dissolution and the grounds therefor (Sec. 121, CC)
C. Corporate liquidation (Sec. 122, CC)
D. Methods of liquidation or winding up
E. Concept of Rehabilitation; Effects of appointment of management
committee
or receiver
CASES: Gelano vs. CA, 103 SCRA 90; Vesagas vs. CA, Dec. 5, 2002; Phil.
Veterans vs. Vega, June 28, 2001; Tan Tiong Bio vs. CIR, 4 SCRA 986;
Rebollido vs. CA, 170 SCRA 800; Clarion Printing House, Inc. vs. NLRC,
GR No. 148372, June 27, 2005; Lingkod Manggagawa sa Rubberworld vs.
Rubberworld Phils., Inc. 29 January 2007; Garcia, et al vs. PAL, 29 August
2007; Sobrejuanite vs. ASB, 30 September 2005; RCBC vs. IAC, 09
December 1999;

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XV. FOREIGN CORPORATIONS
 A. Concept of foreign corporation
B. Tests to determine nationality of a corporation
C. Concept of "doing business" and the license requirement therefor; See also
Sec. 3(d), RA 7042
D. Effects of being issued a license
E. Revocation and withdrawal of license
CASES: Facilities Management vs. De la Osa, 89 SCRA 131; Home
Insurance vs. Eastern Shipping Lines, 123 SCRA 424; Mentholatum, Inc. vs.
Mangaliman, 73 Phil 524; Eriks vs. CA, 267 SCRA 567; MR Holdings vs.
Sheriff Bajar, April 11, 2002; Hutchison Ports vs. SBMA, August 31, 2000;
Antam Consolidated vs. CA, 143 SCRA 288; Mentholatum vs. Mangaliman,
72 Phil 524; Merrill Lynch Futures, Inc. vs. CA, 211 SCRA 824; Agilent
Technologies Singapore vs. Integrated Silicon Technology Philippines
Corporation, G.R. No. 154618, April 14, 2004; Expertravel & Tours, Inc. vs.
Court of Appeals and Korean Airlines GR No. 152392, May 26, 2005; B. Van
Zuiden vs. GTVL, 28 May 2007

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XVI. SEC JURISDICTION
A. Powers and functions of the SEC
B. Cases transferred to the RTC
CASES: Yujuico vs. Quiambao, 29 January 2006; Baviera vs. Paglinawan, 08
February 2007; SEC vs. Performance Foreign Exchange Corp., 20 July 2006

18 FINAL EXAM