What a great dinner it must have been! Only the best, you know.
What? You think I’m talking about some dinner that Feyma and I had at a local restaurant or something? Nope! I’m talking about Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s dinner that she had while in New York recently.
President Arroyo went to the USA recently to meet with President Obama and some other official business. In addition to Obama, she met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and probably with some Congressmen and Senators, although I’m not sure on those. After completing her business in Washington, DC, she and her official traveling party moved on to New York City.
While in New York City, President Arroyo caught the attention of the New York Post, and ended up on their famous (or is in infamous?) Page 6, where they print all the latest gossip. What did President Arroyo do to get this (probably unwanted) attention? She went out to dinner at La Cirque Restaurant in the City. My understanding is that there were a total of around 25 or so members of her party dining that evening. The total bill for dinner for 25 people came to… get this… around $20,000. Yes, that is US Dollars, not Pesos. That’s is nearly P1,000,000. So, let’s see, that is almost $1,000 per person for dinner.
Now, let’s face it, people with that kind of money and power eat differently from you and I do. They don’t go down to McDonald’s to get a Quarter Pounder, or go for a Whopper at Burger King. Heck, they don’t even go to places like Bryan’s Grill, the place that I love so much here in Davao. Feyma and I can eat a gourmet meal at Bryan’s for P1,200 or so. That’s like $25 for the two of us. No, people with big money and power don’t eat that way. But, come on… $1,000 per head? Isn’t that a bit much?
Now, as a guest in the Philippines, I don’t get into Politics. I don’t argue over policy or elections or that kind of thing. But, let’s just look at this for what it is… a meal – dinner for the President.
How many people in the Philippines are starving? I don’t just mean that they are a bit hungry after dinner, I literally mean starving, because they lack enough food to sustain themselves. How many kids go to school with no breakfast? Do you remember some months ago when I wrote about kids at school eating rice and soy sauce as their lunch? I wonder how much that meal cost them? Probably less than $1,000 per head, don’t you think?
Well, as of now, it is not known who paid for that meal. Maybe it was paid with public funds. Maybe President Arroyo paid out of her own pocket. I can’t be sure, nor does the media seem to know. As far as I know, there was no wealthy benefactor there treating the President and her entourage to dinner on the town.
What do you think about this? Personally, I feel that with such a large number of Filipinos going hungry, or only being able to afford meager amounts of food, and of questionable nutritional value, spending P1M for dinner is pretty insensitive of the President. There are so many things that the money could have been better spent on.
Doesn’t it seem that the President would be embarrassed over something like this? To date, though, I have heard of no explanation from President Arroyo, or from her staff.
Kamusta ka Bob,
I agree with this Bob, there is no reason for this kind of spending. But we both are not sure that this was out of her pocket or the people of Philippines. I hate to say it, but I am "fairly" sure this bill was taken care of by the people of the Philippines.
But this kind of spending goes on in various countries by there governments, including the USA. Spending that could go to better things. When my father worked for Air Force One, he saw this all the time, not just with the Presidents he worked with. But Senators and Congressman, that had available to them US Air Force planes, to take "fact finding" tours of different countries, which were really just little vacations for these men and women, spending way too much money, for personal use. The same happens, when the White House holds all these big White House dinners for visiting dignitaries, thousands and thousands of dollars are spent for these events. I could go on and on, but the jest of this story is…is this necessary,..to me NO, its not. Not while the poverty level is like it is, in the Philippines. That 20,000 dollars could have went to a better cause..any number of things as you know.
Funny thing is, I chatted with Rose this morning, and she was very excited that President Arroyo was in Maasin City yesterday, and she was able to see her there, the President was just few steps from Roses house dedicating the new Dry Market being built in Maasin City.
The sad thing about this new Dry Market being built, was there were squatter houses on this property, and they are all being moved to Rose's barangay in Combado, Maasin City in the reclamation area. Which is right in front of where Rose lives, they just hope the barangay stays nice and clean the way it is now, and that the new families that move into the area are respectful of that..so I guess time will tell.
Salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
I see this has touched a nerve with you Bob! And perhaps rightly so. Unfortunately, as said by Danny, this happens daily, nay hourly, all over the world, in similar circumstances. Last year when MGA was in London, she dined with the Queen at Buckingham Palace I believe, and doubtless ate elsewhere on other evenings of the trip. As did every other international leader no doubt on similar visits. It is not right on principle, I would say, but then, there are poor people in the United Kingdom too, but I'd not wish the Queen or her Prime Minister to be eating at McDonalds on their overseas trips. It's an interesting subject for sure; perhaps some kind of international guidelines for overseas behaviour could be set out, like the Geneva Convention? I doubt it would be adhered to though. I don't think there's an easy answer; the Russians and Chinese even tried communism, but the leaders just milk(ed) the system in the same way anyway.
Hi Bob. It should be remembered that the money in her pocket is public funds anyway! Find me a president anywhere that eats at macdonalds. It,s not the fact that Gloria spent so much on herself that gets me, it,s the 24 others freeloaders that were allowed to sponge off the country. I wonder if she ordered extra rice?
Hi Bob – I'm with you. As a guest in this country, I don't talk about Politics. 😉
I have been known to whisper, though. So . . . it really makes no difference. Had the P1M not been spent on food for royalty, it would have ended up as largess to some other supporting faction.
Aristotle explained how Democracies are doomed to failure (the USA is a Republic but being turned into a Democracy). Many so-called democracies are on his delineated path. 🙁
Bob
I couldn't agree with you more.
Good choice not to trash her on you site, odd things happen when Politicians get involved in RP.
So allow me to rant. She is so wrapped up in herself and her chronies that she overlooks the real poverty there in her own country. From the looks of things she has been eating real good for some time now. Maybe she did pay for it out of her own pocket, but the Politicians usually line their pockets with the monies from the citizens of their countries.
If you have children of your own and are not touched to see and hear about all of of the poor hungry children there in RP then something is really wrong with you as a human being.
Sorry for ranting on about this subject!!
Granted, a presidential entourage, don't really dine in the neighborhood joint, nor should they be. The price tab was still excessive. I think this is bad press all around given that this president is recently being drawn into comparison with the other, more frugal president, who just past.
It was important that Malacañang Palace's response to the growing backlash needed to be appropriate & not appear defensive.
Therefore…
Malacañang press secretary remonde calls it a "simple" dinner and blames the opposition and the far left for "agitation propaganda". Another congressman also defended the dinner saying he doesn't "know why they are making such a big deal, it’s New York where everything is more expensive than Manila". More justifications are quietly seeping out, but the damage seems to be done.
I know you avoid getting into political discourse, hence, my using the quoted remarks. You probably already know where i stand on these things given my over-activity on facebook (where I still tread easy given my friend list).
Politics is also a game of perception & this just doesn't bode well for the 2010 elections. Cory's recent passing seems to have triggered a reawakening of a recently politically lethargic population and the widespread opposition of the current government. That this dinner came the night before Arroyo visited Aquino's wake (including a cold reception from the Aquino clan), just adds fuel to the fire.
Still, it was nice of the president to enjoy a good meal on August 2, my birthday.
Bob, I see your point, but in reality how many would that $20,000 feed?
Governments by their very nature are wasteful, and each one of us have probably felt we could put the money spent on certain projects to better use.
Right now in the USA, we have the "cash for clunkers" program. I think that is a HUGE waste of my tax dollars. Why should I finance someone buying a new car? No one helped me.
Presidents and dignitaries sometimes deserve the pomp and glory associated with their title. Like Jim said, I would feel kind of embarrassed for the USA if our President brown bagged it.
The news is quick to point out what they think will get a reaction from the reading public, I guess it worked on you.
We all feel for the poor and starving, but I doubt that we could ever eliminate even half of the world's suffering. Spending the $20,000 on them may feed them for one meal, but what about the future.
Just my opinion, and please don't take it personally, as it was not meant in that way.
Hi Bob,
I hear what you are saying,but i think before we all jump to conclusions or are mislead by the media we should consider the following.
It is my belief and understanding, that it is normal protocol for the host country to pick up the tab of visiting dignataries,which in turn is recipricated.
However,in the real world,no meal is worth that kind of money in my book.
regards Chas.
You forgot to add the 15% service tax from the $20,000. They should have given it to me for my grad school tuition this Fall. What a shame!
Hi Bob, that is nothing short of appalling, if that were a US politician surely there would be a public scrutiny and investigation as to who funded that affair but it's even worse when there are so many kids here in the Philippines starving to death and just one meal at P1.000.000 i am quite certain feed a whole village for at least a year. It is shameful no matter what country that president is from but coming from a third world country where it's citizens are in such poor financial shape doubles the shame, such a contrast from the late Mrs. Aquino to the present state of things. Like you say it really isn't our place to comment but as a citizen of the world that is disgusting behavior
Hi Bob,
Funny how politicians (from countries where they ought to know better) the world over forget why they are there…not to live fat off the backs of their own people, that's for sure. Some folks really think nobody notices these things. Seems to be the times we live in. But it will only change when the voters decide they've had enough.
talagang pinoy. mayabang. as alaways like to show off.
I think the word is Disgrace.
Additional news reports, if I read them correctly, indicate President Arroyo had been " invited " to this event but still, someone had to pay for it. I will agree with another post here that these kind of things go on all the time with government officials and dignataries all over the world all the time. This event just happened to make the press, how about the affairs that don't ? In this case it just did not make for good publicity.
Fine Dining is something that can be enjoyed in many places of the world and in places like New York, London and Manila it is going to cost you a lot more for the ultimate in upscale dining.
Although this may sound like a joke, after thinking this over, wouldn't it have made better publicity, been more practical and saved thousands in peso or dollars to enjoy some of the things people from all over the world come to New York City for ?
Instead of a $20,000 dinner how about New York hot dogs from a place like Nathans Famous or from a licensed and approved Street Vendor ( yes they even have or had them on Wall Street for big time executives and CEO's ) . How about some of New Yorks famous Deli's of the rich and famous ( anyone can really eat there and it would cost far less than $20,000 ) Hot fresh baked Pretzels and especially " New York Pizza " acclaimed by many to be some of the finest in the world.
Now I am not suggesting that every foriegn dignatary that visits New York City should feel obligated to dine at places like this as a steady diet and I am sure some of them may even feel embarrased if they were seen enjoying some of these things. In this case however it could have generated some positive publicity and demonstrated something a bit more practical in these less than desireable economic times.
You can find Fine Dining all over the world, the alternatives I have mentioned here are considered by many to be an " Only In New York " kind of thing, so as long as someone is here, why not experience some of them, and in this case it may have made for a bit more favorable press.
Bob, until now i didn't understand the need for the President to bring along w/ her/ his a lot of entourage everytime she / he travels abroad, why not only take the company of those who might be of help to her/ him accomplish the mission of why she/ he needs to visit that certain place, if the President visit will help the phil. economy and it's people, just try to limit a few people like the presidential adviser and a few bodyguards so they can minimized the cost of expenses, and you're Bob, spending almost a million pesos for just one dinner is really insensitive even someone offered to pay the bill w/ is also a filipino politician is way out of line, there's so many people who starving at home and yet these unsensitive bunch of "MAYAYABANG NA PULITIKO" were out there showing off how they eat lavishy in another country….. shame on them !!!! SORRY BOB, I also don't wish to talk politics in an online forum but this is about insensitivity from those in power who are supposed to provide the needs and protect our people.
I haven't heard antbody say anything about the country "her country" mourning a beloved lady, this I think shows disrespect, however what she does with her money or what you and I do with ours is another matter,..
Hi, there, Bob!
I just found this website and I've been glued for an hour reading a dozen of your articles. Nice project you have here. Stay healthy and more power.
WHAT AN OUTRAGE!!! I AM SO PO'ED reading this, Bob..these people must have no brains and no heart at all.. don't they realize that persons of their stature-particularly the president-have their every move scrutinized under the microscope? and to spend that HUUUUGE amount on some French-sounding restaurant in New York while back home so many families go to bed hungry? and am pretty sure their bill was paid out of the Philippine coffers.. ok,granting each paid for his/her own tab, but 1,000US dollars each? they are SHAMELESS!!
am so sorry, Bob but like you i don't like to talk politics but this really hit a nerve.
Hi Bob, New York is an expensive city so the perspective of cost is something to consider. President Obama has been on the news this past week for vacationing at a 29 Million dollar property-at what cost? As much as it bothers me I realize there are those that do and those that don't. Being part of the don't in that equation does not feel good. If our politicians spend their own resources its ok by me but we all know they don't really have money that isn't from the people so it is in poor taste. The reality is that they type of dinner most likely happens a lot more than we realize. Thought provoking article as always. Ron
Hi Bob,
Page 6 is a gossip column. It's not NEWS but GOSSIP. SENSATIONALISM is part of their dish. Maybe each one of the entourage fork the bill (pay each own) or a rich person foot the bill. She knows that if ever she goes out on an expensive dinner it will be on the news, there is a big probability that someone paid for it. I bet receipts can be obtained and who paid for it, but Pinoys will always counter, its not the real receipt. Damn if you do, damn if you don't.
Page six did not even mention if there were other Americans or businessmen with them. The GOSSIP focused only on the 20 Philippine Entourage which is strange. Page 6 probably thinks all Filipinas are big spender like Imelda. You can not go dinner in Le Cirque without reservation and connections. That restaurant is very high end, a bottle of wine probably will start at around $2000 and long waiting list. I bet a big corporation reserved and footed the bill.
If ever she wanted to eat in a fancy dinner once in a while she should be allowed, afterwall, she's from the elite and a president. Give her a break.
Macapagal Arroyo did the Philippine good in terms of managing the economy but Filipinos do not like her because she does not dole out a sack of rice, unlike other politician. Filipinos need to grow up, realised that to succeed in a democratic world, The tribal mentality has to go and crab mentality has to go. Medicancy should not be encourage by giving a sack rice.
Politics in the Philippines is very personal, dirty, below the belt and GOSSIPY!!
NEWS should be factual and based on the TRUTH.
Kyrie Eleison!
Toting
Bob I agree with what you say,I sometimes wonder if officials from any country are in the same world as the commoner, they never seem to see the real suffering that we see, with Gloria and co they are shielded from it." yes they know it is there" but to bring in an old saying here " what the eye dont see the heart dont grieve over".You and I would never dream of spending such an amount on 1 meal unless half a small village was eating with us,The saddest part of it all is those moving in those upper circles dont see the irony of what they portray, here in the UK we had a big scandal about politicians expenses it incensed the nation but guess what?
9 out of 10 politicians didnt think they had done wrong!I am not saying that president Arroyo should not have luxury etc as the changes I have seen for the Philippines come from her policies but you would think that they would at least show in the public eye that they have an affinity to the lifestyle of their people.
Maybe when she gets back in the philippines she could ease the price of rice for her country folk and let them share some of the trimmings of democratic policies.
National Leadership positions are all ABOUT leading the "lifestyles of the rich and famous". Why would anyone in their right mind want such a job if not for that? I haven't seen a President in the US that really cared and wanted to improve things for the people since, hmmmm… lessee… JFK (and I was only a kid then, so he might have been just as self serving as all the others). The people that take these jobs don't care about the people or the nation anymore, they care about power and wealth, there are no more statesman. By the way, the lines at the soup kitchens and food pantries and emergency shelters here grow every day, how much you think Obama spent on lunch today? You're right Bob, it IS sickening, there and here.
Let me spice it up a little bit and say it was all worth it i.e. $1000/plate.
Arroyo probably said, "OK guys. Job well done. Dinner tonight is on me. Sky's the limit".
Arroyo has been trying hard since Obama's inagauration to have an audience with the leader of the most powerful nation in the world.
Personnel from the Washington D.C. Philippine Embassy and the N.Y.C. Philippine Consulate were probably trying hard to maneuver and pull all the strings they can hold up to make it happen.
$20,000 dinner I think was worth it. It was a thank you party.
"…An elated President Arroyo said Obama named the Philippines "country coordinator" for US-Asean relations because the US president "appreciates" the two countries’ agreement on many issues involving the Asean region…"…Reuters
That statement alone means not only $20,000….It will be worth millions if not a couple of billion dollars…in direct or indirect international diplomatic activities that will be conducted in the Philippines.
Congratulations to the Philippine's Diplomatic Corpse in the U.S. for a job well done indeed.
Politicians are politicians the world over, nothing really changes but the flag they fly. What a sad testimony!
close but …actually I dropped the hairdryer in my tub on that pic !
I think (my opinion) you miss to see the whole picture Bob. Pres. Arroyo has indeed done a better job for the Philippines than previous presidents. She has made a "name" for herself that was why she was there with President Obama. The Entourage? Who would not want to meet and see in person President Obama? Many of them are leaving office next year and that opportunity may never happen again. They have performed better, although not neccessarily best, and if they saw that as the best opportunity to reward themselves, at least they did not spend money for some secret mistresses or whatever. And Dr. Sponklong has a point, it is ok to spend $20,000 of people's money if you know you will gain $2,000,000 or 2 billion dollars for the people. Hunger is everywhere, even in the USA the richest country in the world. And besides, she has done many good things yet people only see the mistakes she made, if indeed it was a mistake. Btw, many of you (foreigners) living in the Philippines should thank her, for her policies made it easier for many of you to do so. And she did it for the economy, for the people. I think politics is not appropriate for this webmagazine for it will only divide your readers.
Well next year is the presidential election diba? So she will leave office and the next pseudo dictator can be elected. I seriously wonder if there is anyone vying to be president over there that really cares for the people… or if it's just the usual illustrados.
I might be glad to be in Alaska next year, the run up to the general election may be violent.
Hi bob,
Thanks for the dinner that Mrs. Arroyo enjoyed in the states, that actually gave way for the media to scrutinize her wealth, wealth that she cannot explain, the news is all over the internet and local newspapers.
I too do not agree with their $20k dinner, if they want to eat an expensive dinner and if some politician would pay for it, they should at least have done it in a discreet way, out of public eyes, the point is, it is now a question of moral decency than anything else, blowing a 1M pesos for a dinner while backhome filipinos are struggling to have a single meal a day.
Hhmmmnnn…. politics is always bad, stop it please.
Hi Toting – Yes indeed, this site has a LOT of readers! I am quite happy about that! 😀
Hi Bob- I read this article a few days ago and thought I would think about it for a while before posting a comment. I think my opinion would be quite different if I was living in the Philippines as it is quite normal for a group of politicians,(in Aus etc) at any level of government, even the local mayor and their entourage would spend this kind of money while on a junket, let alone a head of state. In the private sector, a group on a junket could be expected to spend in excess of this kind of money. Yes I understand that the money spent on this dinner could benefit many good causes, or feed many families in the Philipies, but at the end of the day a dinner for a head of state and their entourage in NY city, this kind of bill would be quite normal.
Yes I do feel this kind of spending on expensive meals is excessive, but then again last time I checked we arent living in communist countries either.
Hi Anthony – You're right, this is not a communist country. In a communist country the leaders can do anything they like. In a democracy, the leaders must answer to the people, and believe me, the people are very angry about the big dinner tab.
Hi, there, Bob!
I totally disaggree with the account of spending 20kUSD in "a dinner".
You see, a true leader won't do such a thing knowing that she is the head of state of a nation with millions of people eating just 1 meal a day. Hey, any rational being can't pretend to just accept the issue of normalcy of being a president. If a leader cannot categorically distinguish with wisdom and sympathize about the plight of her flock, then she is of no use. To discern ably is, quintessentially, one of the traits a competent leader must possess and practice. And that's the reason why I don't want to "give her a break" unless she and her sidekicks want to settle for a sack of KitKat. Sad to say our president, I logically think, must just be enjoying the last days of her term in the office.
Why can't they just be meek and wise to be adored and emulated?
Good day, Bob. Just passin' by.
Hi Neil – Thanks for passing through and sharing your view! I hope we see you passing this way more often!
Envy is a special animal. Certainly for us "normal" people the mentioned sum, if true, sounds beyond good and evil.
On the other hand, first class restaurants in Europe have been my customers for years and I know of two were a menu set including a glass of wine will cost you no less than €300, in $ that makes about 500, now I talk of a small capital in EU, GMA bite the big Apple, everything more expensive there.
A bill of i000$ per person is certainly possible at this customer level. And forget the food, it is the surroundings you pay.
Hi chef – Well, I can assure you that I am not envious. I simply think that it was an insensitive and inappropriate amount to spend on a meal. If others do it, well, they do it. I can't control that. I still feel it is inappropriate.