Starbucks Philippines on Thursday, January 18, apologized to lawmakers for its mistake of limiting the legal discounts granted to seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The renowned coffeehouse drew flak online for displaying signage in one of its branches, advising seniors and PWDs that their discount cards would be limited to one food item and one beverage per visit, effective January 15.
Some netizens had raised that the signage was a clear violation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and Magna Carta of Persons with Disability. The laws stated that PWDs and seniors are entitled to 20 percent discounts on certain goods and services.
Bawal na mag dessert with a meal! 😂😂@Starbucks @StarbucksNews @DtiPhilippines pic.twitter.com/m4YktX20x1
— docbenjisays (@docbenjisays) January 11, 2024
During the hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means, Starbucks PH Operations Manager Angela Cole said they "fully acknowledged the error" in the now-taken-down signage.
"We are taking full accountability and acknowledge the mistake. And we are really disappointed at the confusion that we had caused because of the erroneous signage. The signage was immediately removed and the guideline never followed," she said.
"We remain steadfast in ensuring, extending the privileges as intended in all our stores throughout the Philippines," Cole added.
The Starbucks PH Operations Manager stressed that the signage "was not properly worded."
"Originally, it was in response to our employees, asking for a suggested approach. However, as mentioned, we fully comply and value our senior citizens and our PWDs customers, and we extend the discount as a privilege to them, without hesitation, most especially if it is for personal consumption," Cole said.
However, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, the chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, was not satisfied by the mere apology.
"Okay lang ba sa inyo? Senior citizen at PWD bukas, buy one, take two. Hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi niyo pagsisisihan 'yan ha. Otherwise, we just have to go to natural process, it is to really prosecute Rustan Coffee Corporation. It is a violation, it is a case. Mapagpatawad lang ang mga Pilipino but I want years of exemplrary action on your part na pinagsisihinan niyo ang ginawa niyo," he said.
The Albay lawmaker stressed that saying "sorry" was not enough.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez reportedly ordered the House Committee on Ways and Means to probe the Starbucks incident.
