Starbucks Philippines apologizes for limiting senior citizens, PWD discounts

STARBUCKS Philippines has issued an apology for the signage that restricted the discounts available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The questioned signage limits the seniors’ and PWDs’ 20% discount and 12% value added tax (VAT) exemptions to one food item and one drink per visit.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, who sought a legislative inquiry into the cases of improper implementation of discounts, said this practice ‘’cannot remain unchecked.’’

At a hearing called by the House of Representatives’ ways and means committee on Wednesday, Starbucks Philippines operations manager Angela Cole said they ‘’fully acknowledge the error in the signage.’’

“It is not properly worded, and we are taking full accountability. We acknowledge the mistake,” she said.

“The signage [was] immediately removed. Again, we remain steadfast in extending the privileges as intended in all our stores throughout the Philippines.’’

During the hearing, the committee’s chair, Albay Representative Joey Salceda, encouraged Starbucks to make up for this kind of mistake by giving a senior citizen who purchases anything for a day a free drink and a free croissant.

“You cannot just say sorry,’’ he said.