Commitment to Shareholders

The Company strives to uphold fairness and equity in its treatment of all shareholders, regardless of their status—whether controlling or minority, local or foreign.

Shareholders' Rights

The Company upholds the rights of all shareholders as established under the Revised Corporation Code, other applicable laws, and its Corporate Governance Manual. These rights include, but are not limited to:

  1. the right to participate and vote on matters requiring their consent or approval during general shareholder meetings, such as the election and removal of Board members;
  2. the right to review corporate books and records;
  3. the right to access relevant and material corporate information in a timely and consistent manner;
  4. the right to dividends;
  5. the right to appraisal;
  6. the right to secure ownership registration methods;
  7. the right to transfer or convey shares;
  8. the right to nominate directors in line with the by-laws and procedures for the annual stockholders’ meeting notice; and
  9. the right to propose agenda items in accordance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.

Equitable Treatment of Shareholders

Notice of AGM

House of Investments sends a notice to the stockholders of the date of meetings at least 21 days before the scheduled date of meetings. The notice of regular or special meetings indicate the agenda, the rationale and explanation for each agenda item, and sets the date, time, and place for validating proxies, which must be done at least five business days prior to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

Profiles of directors seeking election/re-election and auditors seeking appointment/re-appointment are clearly identified and indicated.

A proxy form is attached in every notice sent to each stockholder.

 

Shares and Voting Rights

It is the duty of the directors to promote shareholders’ rights, remove impediments to the exercise of shareholders’ rights, and recognize lawful mechanisms to seek redress for violation of their rights. They shall encourage the exercise of shareholders’ voting rights and the solution of collective action problems through appropriate mechanisms. They shall be instrumental in removing excessive costs and other administrative or practical impediments to shareholders participating in meetings and/or voting in person. The directors shall pave the way for the electronic filing and distribution of shareholder information necessary to make informed decisions subject to legal constraints.

House of Investments' common shares entitle the person in whose name it is registered in the books of the Company to one vote, provided that the conditions as regards to payment subject to which it was issued have been complied with.

 

Protecting Minority Shareholders from Abusive Actions

The Related Party Transactions Policy requires that all related party transactions between House of Investments, its subsidiaries, affiliates, and other related entities or persons are made on an arm’s length basis at normal prices. To ensure that this policy is practiced and complied with, an assessment is undertaken of related party transactions as they happen.