The Daily Tribune

By Aytch S. de la Cruz

08/13/2009

President Arroyo and her delegation really splurged and how–during their visit to the United States. And it wasn’t only on the $20,000 bill for their very expensive meal at the ritzy Le Cirque.

The New York Post Page 6 reported yesterday that “before their $20,000 meal at Le Cirque, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and an entourage of about 65 — complete with food tasters, Secret Service and a kitchen monitor to watch food preparation — dined at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in (Washington) DC on July 30.

“The party spared no expense, and had lobster, steak and expensive wines,” said a source. “They paid their $15,000 bill, including a generous tip, with cash — which was counted out, unseen, underneath a table by a staff member.”

That’s $35,000 spent on just two meals. The other meals and their costs have yet to be unearthed.

The Post said “our little scoop about the $20,000 dinner (Arroyo) enjoyed last month at Le Cirque has blown up into a political firestorm in her homeland, where

memories of Imelda Marcos’ shoe collection are still fresh.

“Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay pointed out that the cost of the dinner for 25 could have fed “almost 3,000 hungry families with three square meals.

“A copy of Arroyo’s tab, posted on several blogs, showed 11 bottles of Krug champagne were ordered at $510 a pop. The entourage — who were charged $238 a head for the feast — also devoured Osetra caviar at $1,400 for five ounces. An Arroyo spokesman said Leyte Province Rep. Martin Romualdez, part of the delegation, foot the bill.”

The controversial luxurious feast enjoyed by the First Couple together with some administration allies at the expensive Le Cirque restaurant in New York having generated public flak, has gotten into the nerves of the Palace.

A visibly irate Romulo Macalintal, legal counsel of Arroyo, fired back at the lawmakers and the media yesterday for constantly venting so much negativity on what could have been a simple matter instead of focusing their much needed awareness on other issues particularly that of the presidential aspirants’ early campaigns.

He then attacked the media, blaming them for the frenzy brought about by the Le Circque dinner, and blasted at the media for bringing up the “moral issues” related to the expensive dinner.

Macalintal’s resentment directed at the media was bared after he was asked by one of the Palace reporters who informed him that the partylist group Akbayan has already filed a case involving the alleged million-peso pompous feast which was later linked to the subject of the President’s morality.

“That (Akbayan’s petition) is nothing but part of political gimmickry that is not going to go anywhere and they (lawmakers) are just wasting the people’s time. I thought they were saying that that dinner is so expensive. Isn’t conducting an investigation also too costly? Why is it that they (lawmakers) would not look into these presidentiables who have already spent millions or maybe even billions in their presidential campaigns given the fact that it is not yet the campaign period? Why are they pressing so much on that food (during the dinner)?” Macalintal exclaimed in Filipino inferring that the sums splurged by some politicians in those advertisements could have been used instead to buy food and feed the poor’s hunger.

Moments later Macalintal’s fury turned its attention to the media, turning the table against the reporters on that question of morality by dissenting different media group’s circulation of political advertisements from the presidential hopefuls, despite the fact that it is not yet campaign period.

“If you talk about morality, you media outlets, I challenge you! These presidentiables must not be allowed to release their advertisements,” Macalintal cried out, blasting away at the media organizations that are accepting and airing political advertisements of some politicians.

Macalintal’s outrage against the media certainly brought the issue out of context which explicitly attested Malacañang’s utter discomfiture regarding the matter.

Since the issue was brought up by media early this week, the administration has constantly appealed to the press and the general public not to create further uproars.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita yesterday also opted not to speak about the issue anymore when sought for further comments.

He also clarified that the creation of the Local Anti-Hunger Task Force was not carried out because of the administration’s twinge over this issue.

Criminal and administrative charges were filed yesterday by a member of the House of Representatives before the Office of the Ombudsman against the President, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and several other government officials for the lavish dinner in New York.

In his two-page complaint, Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello asked Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to conduct an investigation on the dinner spent by Arroyo’s entourage at Le Cirque amounting to $20,000 or more or less P1 million which was covered in a New York Post online article on Aug. 7, 2009.

“Considering that these articles raise the distinct possibility that illegal, or at the very least, improper acts were committed by government officials, I am respectfully calling on your office to exercise its constitutional function to ‘investigate on its own, or own complaint by an person, any act or omission of any public official…when such act… appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient,” the complaint stated.

Bello cited in his complaint that the charges which could have held Arroyo, Romualdez and others liable are violations of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees which provides that “public officials shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income and the they shall not engage in extravagant or ostentatious displays of wealth.”

As to the criminal aspect, the respondents were charged of violating Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code which covers the crime of Indirect Bribery and Presidential Decree 46 or giving gifts to a government official by reason of an occasion.

“Even assuming that the dinner was not paid for with public funds, and was a ‘treat’ either from Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez or his brother, the incident may nonetheless fall under Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code and PD 46, both of which penalize public officers who receive gifts that are given by reason of their official position, as well as the persons who give such gifts. PD 46 expressly includes in the prohibition the throwing of parties or entertainments in honor of the official or of her immediate relatives,” it said.

The lawmaker stressed that while Arroyo is an impeachable officer, they wanted to put on record that there is another serious case filed against her before the Office of the Ombudsman. The case can proceed after Arroyo is out of her office.

They want the Office of the Ombudsman to unearth information via their investigation as to the officials who participated in the said dinner.

Bello said they are also studying now the possibility of bringing a case against Romualdez before the House Ethics Committee, but they have been awaiting for his comment which he is evading.

Meanwhile, Speaker Prospero Nograles called on the public to finally put an end to the controversial dinner in New York City and instead focus on the gains that the government achieved during Arroyo’s meeting with US President Barack Obama.

Rather than devoting too much attention to the dinner which had been adequately explained by Malacanang, Nograles said it is only proper for the critics and public to also listen to the good gains generated from the trip.

“This won’t take the grains achieved by our visit to Washington and the fruitful dialogs we conducted with our American counterparts. Let’s put this issue to rest,” said Nograles.

With regard to the case lodged by Bello against President Arroyo and other government officials over the dinner, Nograles said “active” critics of the government should now stop commenting on the issue and let the anti-graft body do its job.

“Well that’s their prerogative. Now that they have filed it then its time to end the issue and let the Ombudsman decide. I suggest that we stop talking about it and move on,” said Nograles.

At the weekly Ayes and Nays News Forum, Reggie Velasco, deputy secretary general of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, also called for fair play, saying he knew of a government official whom he did not identify who lavishly spent P50,000 or roughly $1,000 just for one bottle of rare wine.

“I know of a high-ranking official who spends P50,000 for a bottle of wine,” said Velasco.

“If you have a standard for government officials, you have to apply it to all. You have to be fair. It should apply to all,” he said. “I don’t think you have to bring a head of state to Burger King. It is not appropriate for her stature.”

At the same forum, Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian, spokesman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said he doesn’t see anything wrong with a person using his own personal funds for a dinner in New York .

“Personally, I think he has every right to spend his money. It’s private money. To each his own.” said Gatchalian. With Charlie V. Manalo

PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo’s $20,000 or almost P1 million dinner at New York’s posh Le Cirque restaurant on Aug. 5 has landed her on “Page 6″ of the New York Post.

The Aug. 7 entry in the Post’s most-read gossip column said “Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.”

EAT AND DRINK

August 7, 2009 –

THE economic downturn hasn’t persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life, even though the former comptroller of her country’s armed serv ices, Carlos Garcia, was found guilty earlier this year of per jury and two of his sons were arrested in the US on bulk cash-smuggling charges. Maca pagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.

Muli pa ba nating ipagkakatiwala ang bansa sa mga BUWITRENG miyembro ng kongreso. Markahan ang mga Salot ng Bayan! Singilin sila sa 2010 na halalan! Voters of Con-Ass

It is time to stand up, unite and assert our sovereign will…

Voters of Con-Ass from Luzon

( NCR, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA)

ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. “BENNY” 6TH District Pandacan

LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District

SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District

DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District

DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District

SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District

BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district

BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District

DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District

ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. Parañaque, 1st District

DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)

ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District

ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City

GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District

TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District

CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District

MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District

GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District

ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District

CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District

BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District

AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province

DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District

DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District

CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugao, Lone District

CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District

SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District

ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District

SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District

ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District

COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District

SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District

ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR, Ilocos Norte, 1st District

DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District

AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E. Pangasinan, 2nd District

ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District

DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District

UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District

VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District

MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District

ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District

GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District.

BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District

Antonio M. Diaz Zambales

ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District

GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District

LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District

ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District

LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District

YAP, JOSE V. Tarlac, 2nd District

VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District

ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga

SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District

MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District

SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District

TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District

PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District

NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District

Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District

GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District

SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District

SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District

BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District

BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District

REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District

ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna

MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District

DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District

PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District

REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District

ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District

ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District

REYES, CARMELITA O. Marinduque, Lone District

MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District

VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District

VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District

BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District

KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District

ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District

ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur

SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District

SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District

VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District

BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District

LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District

SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate

ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District

MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District	DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District	BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District	MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District	CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District
ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District	ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental	GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District	FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District	NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District
LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District	SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo	TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District	GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City	SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District
CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District	SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District	CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District	CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District	GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District
MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District	DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District	BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District	MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District	CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District
ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District	ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental	GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District	FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District	NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District
LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District	SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo	TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District	GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City	SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District
CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District	SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District	CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District	CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District	GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District
ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District	CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District	ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District	CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District	SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District
GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District	GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District	DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District	TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District	DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu
DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District	UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District	CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District	MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District	TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District
COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District	APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District	GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District	JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District	LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District
CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District	JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District	OLAñO, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District	PIñOL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District	PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District
JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District	JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District	MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,	HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District	] AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District
VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List	TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District	PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List	DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District	GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District
MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District	BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District	ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District	ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District	RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District
UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District	AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte	ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley	CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District	CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District
ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District	SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List	Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District	BRIONES, NICANOR M. AGAP Party list	JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District
BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District	ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District	PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District	NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District	ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List
UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District	AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District	LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District	DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District	ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District
YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District	BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District	GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District	EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District