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Inquiry Prompts Starbucks To Lift Cap On Discounts
Photo credit: Congress PH
A House inquiry spearheaded by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has compelled Starbucks, the renowned coffee chain, to remove limitations on the 20-percent discount entitled to senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) under the law.
Angela Cole, operations director of Starbucks Coffee, admitted the company's "mistake" during a hearing before the House committee on ways and means. She announced the immediate removal of signages that erroneously restricted the legally-mandated discount to "one food item" and "one beverage," acknowledging that the wording was not appropriate.
The committee, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, convened to address gaps in the implementation of laws related to discounts, privileges, and benefits for senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents. Speaker Romualdez initiated the inquiry in response to complaints about establishments failing to comply with relevant laws, with Starbucks being a notable case.
In a parallel development, a case filed by the Pasig Prosecutor’s Office against Marco Polo Hotel-Pasig, for not granting a senior citizen the mandated discount, caught the attention of Speaker Romualdez. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, representing the complainant, anticipates the issuance of arrest warrants against responsible hotel officers.
Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers Partylist asserted that Starbucks rectified its error due to Speaker Romualdez's inquiry. Other lawmakers expressed gratitude for the Speaker's intervention, hoping for a reduction in the mistreatment of senior citizens and PWDs.
Salceda, stern in addressing Starbucks, urged the company to make amends substantially by offering a buy-one-take-one promotion for senior citizens and PWDs. He emphasized that a mere apology was insufficient and hinted at potential prosecution if corrective measures were not taken.
Similar complaints against Goldilocks, a bakery products chain limiting discounts, prompted Salceda to announce an investigation into the matter. The committee aims to scrutinize compliance by business establishments and service providers, recommending remedial legislation or regulations to address implementation gaps and confusion regarding discounts for senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents.
Angela Cole, operations director of Starbucks Coffee, admitted the company's "mistake" during a hearing before the House committee on ways and means. She announced the immediate removal of signages that erroneously restricted the legally-mandated discount to "one food item" and "one beverage," acknowledging that the wording was not appropriate.
The committee, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, convened to address gaps in the implementation of laws related to discounts, privileges, and benefits for senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents. Speaker Romualdez initiated the inquiry in response to complaints about establishments failing to comply with relevant laws, with Starbucks being a notable case.
In a parallel development, a case filed by the Pasig Prosecutor’s Office against Marco Polo Hotel-Pasig, for not granting a senior citizen the mandated discount, caught the attention of Speaker Romualdez. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, representing the complainant, anticipates the issuance of arrest warrants against responsible hotel officers.
Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers Partylist asserted that Starbucks rectified its error due to Speaker Romualdez's inquiry. Other lawmakers expressed gratitude for the Speaker's intervention, hoping for a reduction in the mistreatment of senior citizens and PWDs.
Salceda, stern in addressing Starbucks, urged the company to make amends substantially by offering a buy-one-take-one promotion for senior citizens and PWDs. He emphasized that a mere apology was insufficient and hinted at potential prosecution if corrective measures were not taken.
Similar complaints against Goldilocks, a bakery products chain limiting discounts, prompted Salceda to announce an investigation into the matter. The committee aims to scrutinize compliance by business establishments and service providers, recommending remedial legislation or regulations to address implementation gaps and confusion regarding discounts for senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents.
Jan 17, 2024
