Starbucks in RP unaffected by closures in the US

MANILA, Philippines - Rustan’s Coffee Corp, which manages Starbucks coffee outlets in the Philippines, said it sees no reason to cut jobs and reduce branches in the country. Starbucks’ Philippine franchise as well as the company’s Asia Pacific and international operations are unaffected by closures in the US, Alexandra Bustalino, Rustan’s Coffee marketing head, told GMANews.TV. “The US store closing reflect the weakening US economy and have no impact on our…operations," Bustalino said. Bustalino disclosed that Starbucks in the Philippines has even opened 17 additional outlets so far this year, bringing the total number of the coffee shops in the country to 135. She refused to say if the company will still add more stores for the rest of 2008. - GMANews.TV