This question is directed to Inquirer columnist Ramon Farolan or anyone who can answer my question regarding the senior citizen’s discount.
Gloria Maris Greenhills restaurant was offering a 50-percent discount on meals effective Feb. 15, 2013 to March 15, 2013, provided a Metrobank Platinum Peso Mastercard would be used to pay the meal.
Say, we are a group of four and all of us are senior citizens. If we avail of the 50-percent discount which is a promo offered to everyone, should they still charge us the 12-percent VAT from which we, as senior citizens, are exempted by law? I just want to know if the 12-percent VAT would still apply. My understanding is the 50-percent promo is a privilege granted to Metrobank Platinum card users, while the 12-percent VAT discount is a right granted to senior citizens.
I called Gloria Maris and I spoke with Ms Angie Tan and she said the 12-percent VAT will apply even if we are all senior citizens.
—LUIS ELLA JUICO,
sonny_juico@yahoo.com