Press Release
July 4, 2007

ANGARA COMMENDS SC'S DECISION NOT
TO SCRAP ELDERLY DISCOUNT ON DRUGSTORES

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today expressed his gratitude on the Supreme Court's decision to junk the petition of drug store owners to scrap the 20% discount given to senior citizens who purchase medicine.

"I commend the Supreme Court. Scrapping of the 20% discount will be a clear violation of R.A. 7431 or the Senior Citizens Act," said Angara, author of the said act.

Senior Citizens Act or the Angara Law entitles all senior citizens to a full 20% discount on the purchase of goods, services, medical and dental services, transport fare, funeral and burial services, among others.

"The elderly members of our society have already served and made valuable contributions to the country. It is our duty to repay their services by making life easier and more comfortable for them," the Senator emphasized.

The SC said that petitioners failed to prove that the discount is detrimental to their business.

"The pharmaceutical retailers should use the discounts as tax credits and deduct it from their tax liabilities," said Angara.

Early this year, the Senator met with Department of Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Jose Bunag to discuss the possible exemption of the elderly from the 12% EVAT which "prevents the elderly from fully enjoying the benefits of Senior Citizens Act."

"Instead of trying to bend the laws to protect the interests of private enterprises, we need to come up with better laws that will provide health care and social services to the more than 6 million senior citizens," said Angara.

As part of his priority agenda in the 14th Congress, Angara filed a bill exempting the senior citizens from the 12% EVAT.

News Latest News Feed