Starbucks Operations Director Angela Cole told lawmakers and officials of agencies supervising senior citizen and PWD concerns, that the company “full acknowledges the mistake” it committed when its stores put up notices that discounts for seniors and PWDs will be limited to the first set of their orders only.

Co said the notices were immediately removed after they realized the error.

“Starbucks has always and will continue to extend discount privileges for the pesonal use and enjoyment of our honored and valued clients,” said Co, referring to the elderly and PWDs who are legally entitled to 20 percent discount privilege and 12 percent value added tax exemption on purchased goods and services.

During the congressional hearing conducted by the House Committee on Ways and Means, committee chairman and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte-Salceda agreed with recommendations made by the National Commission of Senior Citizens and the National Council on Disability Affairs that the laws granting discounts should be reviewed and amended, if revisions of their respective implementing rules and regulations cannot be ridded of loopholes.

Aside from Starbucks, representatives from Mercury Drug, Hotel Sofitel and other business establishments were called to the House probe that sought to address complaints aired by discount beneficiaies.

Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, counsel for a number of senior citizen legal concerns, revealed that some of the cases he has handled concern the misinterpretation of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Privilege Act.

He noted that some local government units are part of the confusion as they make it mandatory requirement that seniors must be registered voters before they can be given access to privileges granted under the law.

Macalintal also discussed the complaint filed by his client against Marco Polo Hotel that refused to grant discounts, claiming that reduced cost for the guest had already been applied due to an on-going sales promotion.

The Office of the Prosecutor of Pasig City charged two hotel officials for violation of RA 9994 and Article 116 of Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Deputy Minority Leader France Castro (ACT Teachers Partylist) and United Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Mila Aquino-Magsaysay also aired personal experiences when they were denied discounts by Mercury Drug, the country’s largest drugstore chain.

Castro said application for discounts have been rejected by Medrcury when she purchased vitamins and medical supplies for her father.

On the other hand, Magsaysay recalled being turned down by Mercury Pasig when she purchased a nebulizer, which should have been covered by price cut.