CRIMINAL cases for alleged violation of the Senior Citizen’s Law and Consumer Act of the Philippines have been filed before the Pasig City Prosecutors Office against two executives of Marco Polo Hotel, a 5-star hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City.
In a four-page complaint affidavit filed last November 17, complainant Melinda Rada of Quezon City, through her lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, claimed she checked into the hotel on November 25, 2022 with her sister, also a senior citizen.
When they checked out two days later, Rada said she asked for a 12 percent VAT exemption and 20 percent discount as a senior citizen under Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Seniors Citizens Act of 2020.
Rada claimed the hotel refused to grant the discounts because its alleged rate was “on promo” or promotional basis.
Rada, however, said the hotel did not show proof that its alleged promo has the approval of the Department of Trade and Industry as mandated by law.
Named respondents in the complaints were Lily Te Pedrosa and Angel Co, senior vice president and finance director of Marco Polo Hotel-Ortigas, respectively.
Under Article 116 of RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, persons or companies conducting sales promotion campaigns need to secure a Sales Promotion Permit from the DTI before launching the campaign.
Violators face a fine of not less than P200 or imprisonment of not less than a month but not more than six months.
On the other hand, the violation of RA 9994 carries a penalty ranging from a fine of not more than P100,000 and imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than six years.
Rada claimed when she insisted on her right to the discounts, the hotel agreed to grant her the 12 percent VAT exemption but maintained that she was not entitled to any 20 percent discount as its rate was already on promo.
