SENIOR citizens may choose between a promotional discount and the mandated 20% discount, whichever offers greater savings when purchasing goods or services, but cannot combine the two, the Supreme Court (SC) said.
The court said the rule seeks to balance the welfare of senior citizens with the need to protect businesses from potentially unreasonable financial burdens.
In a statement on Wednesday, the SC Office of the Spokesperson said that the high court en banc has acquitted Orville U. Ong, a hotel general manager in Bacolod, of violating Republic Act No. 7432, or the Senior Citizens Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010.
Under the law, Filipino residents aged 60 and above receive a 20% discount on hotel, restaurant, and recreational services, which Mr. Ong was accused of refusing to guests Paul S. Alcazaren, 66, and Eric Gadiana, 70, in G.R. No. E-00464.
Mr. Ong argued that a 20% discount was already applied to the room rate negotiated for the Cebu Bikers Club, though not itemized separately on the receipt.
Lower courts — the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Regional Trial Court, and Court of Appeals — previously found him guilty.
Reversing the conviction, the high tribunal held that because guests received the discount through their club’s rate, the hotel was not required to extend an additional reduction.
“The State’s pursuit of public welfare cannot be allowed to impose undue or confiscatory burdens on private establishments, whose continued viability is essential to the long-term effectiveness of the law,” the SC said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking