2 hotel execs face charges over 20% senior’s discount

TWO hotel officials are facing charges before the Pasig City Metropolitan trial court for not giving the mandated 20 percent discount to a senior citizen.

In a 22-page resolution dated December 21, 2023, the Pasig City Prosecutors Office filed charges against Lily Te Pedrosa and Angel Co for allegedly violating the Senior Citizen’s Law and Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Pedrosa and Co are the Senior Vice President and Finance Director, respectively, of Marco Polo Hotel-Ortigas, a 5-star hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City.

“It is hereby recommended that respondents Lily Te Pedrosa and Angel Co be charged with violation of Section 1 (a) (7) of Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. Bail is set at P36,000 for each respondent,” the resolution signed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Jerome Victor and approved by Senior Deputy City Prosecutor Randy Esteban said.

“It is further recommended that respondents Lily Te Pedrosa and Angel Co be charged with violation of Article 116 of Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines. Bail is not necessary unless required by court,” it added.

To recall, a four-page complaint was lodged before the city prosecutor’s office by Melinda Rada, who said she checked into the hotel on November 25, 2022 with her sister, also a senior citizen.

When they checked out two days later, she asked for her 12 percent VAT exemption and 20 percent discount as a senior citizen under RA 9994.

The complaint claimed the hotel refused to grant the discounts because its alleged rate was “on promo.”

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.

Under Article 116 of RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, any person or company conducting a sales promotion campaign shall secure a Sales Promotion Permit from the DTI before launching the promo.

Violators face a fine of not less than P200 or an imprisonment of not less than a month but not more than six months.

On the other hand, a violation of RA 9994 carries a penalty ranging from a fine of not more than P100,000 and imprisonment of