House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Thursday, Jan. 25, that the House of Representatives would not hesitate to exercise its oversight power to force compliance against business establishments that disregard laws granting discounts, benefits, and other privileges to senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs), and solo parents.

“We have granted these privileges to our people, and we will see to it that those covered receive them,” said Romualdez in a statement.

“Entities that are not granting the discounts and other benefits will be exposed and compelled to comply with the laws," the Speaker said. "We will also not hesitate to initiate prosecution".

The House leader made this appeal after popular coffee chain Starbucks offered a 40 percent discount on its products for senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents. 

This one-day benefit last Jan. 24 was also offered to national athletes and Medal of Valor recipients.

The 40 percent discount is double the lawful discount.

“We appreciate the gesture of Starbucks. It gives meaning to its apology given to three House committees for what they acknowledged as its ‘mistake.’ We also value their promise to henceforth fully support the discounts and benefits of those covered. We appeal to other establishments to follow suit,” noted Romualdez.

The Speaker was referring to the signage that was posted in the coffee chain’s establishments limiting the 20 percent discount of the elderly and PWDs to one drink and one food item only.

During a recent House committee hearing, Starbucks admitted it made a mistake with the signage. The company pledged it will continue to extend full discount privileges. 

Romualdez also lauded the offer of San Miguel Corp. of a 20 percent discount to senior citizens and PWDs for the use of its skyway system in Metro Manila and its expressways in northern Luzon and southern Luzon.

“I am sure the operators of other expressways will match the gesture of Ramon S. Ang’s San Miguel Corp.,” he said, hinting at Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, among others.

Romualdez appears to be satisfied with this discount as he has asked tollway operators and concerned government agencies to release further details so the offer “would soon be enjoyed”.

The House Speaker had sought an inquiry into “gaps and confusion” in the implementation of laws granting discounts, benefits, and other privileges to more than 35 million senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents after numerous complaints of limitations and non-compliance.

During the joint committee hearing on Tuesday, Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda read the names of more than 100 violators, among them malls, supermarkets, airlines, bakeshops, hotels, drugstores, and food and transportation service providers.

Salceda is the chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Also taking part in the hearing were the Committees on Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities.