19/10/2026
The En Banc, during its session today, October 14, 2026, ruled that senior citizens cannot claim an additional 20% discount on top of an existing promotional or negotiated discount.
The SC explained that when goods or services are offered at promotional prices, senior citizens may choose either the promotional discount or the 20% senior citizen discount, whichever gives them greater savings.
The ruling came as the SC acquitted Orville U. Ong (Ong), general manager of a hotel in Bacolod City, of violating the Senior Citizens Act for allegedly refusing to grant the mandatory 20% discount to hotel guests Atty. Paul S. Alcazaren, 66, and Eric Gadiana, 70.
Ong argued that the hotel had already applied a 20% discount on the room rate negotiated for the Cebu Bikers Club, of which the guests were members. The discount was not separately reflected on the official receipt because it had already been deducted from the total amount.
The Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Regional Trial Court, and Court of Appeals found Ong guilty.
The SC reversed the lower courts’ rulings, finding that the guests had already received the 20% discount through the club’s negotiated rate. The hotel was therefore not required to grant an additional 20% discount.
The SC emphasized that while the Senior Citizens Act aims to protect and support senior citizens, its implementation must also be fair and reasonable to businesses.
As the SC explained, “[t]he 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.”
Read the full Press Briefer at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=174900
Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution
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The En Banc, during its session today, October 14, 2026, ruled that senior citizens cannot claim an additional 20% discount on top of an existing promotional or negotiated discount.
The SC explained that when goods or services are offered at promotional prices, senior citizens may choose either the promotional discount or the 20% senior citizen discount, whichever gives them greater savings.
The ruling came as the SC acquitted Orville U. Ong (Ong), general manager of a hotel in Bacolod City, of violating the Senior Citizens Act for allegedly refusing to grant the mandatory 20% discount to hotel guests Atty. Paul S. Alcazaren, 66, and Eric Gadiana, 70.
Ong argued that the hotel had already applied a 20% discount on the room rate negotiated for the Cebu Bikers Club, of which the guests were members. The discount was not separately reflected on the official receipt because it had already been deducted from the total amount.
The Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Regional Trial Court, and Court of Appeals found Ong guilty.
The SC reversed the lower courts’ rulings, finding that the guests had already received the 20% discount through the club’s negotiated rate. The hotel was therefore not required to grant an additional 20% discount.
The SC emphasized that while the Senior Citizens Act aims to protect and support senior citizens, its implementation must also be fair and reasonable to businesses.
As the SC explained, “[t]he 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.”
Read the full Press Briefer at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=174900
Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution
