The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan called on Malacanang to explain the $20,000 dinner tab it allegedly incurred while dining in Le Cirque restaurant in New York during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s.

News of the lavish dinner spending came in out in the August 7 edition of the New York Post. According to writer Richard Johnson, “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 services, 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. Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.”

The short article appeared on the Eat and Drink section of Page Six of the NY Post online edition.

“Malacanang has a lot of explaining to do about this latest allegation which came out in an American paper. Who spent for the lavish dinner? Is it appropriate for a head of state of a Third World country like Mrs. Arroyo to wine and dine in such a manner, given that we’re in the midst of a crisis?”, asked Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

“This is one dinner that certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouth, at least for the rest of the Filipino people,” Reyes added.

The $20,000 bill is equivalent to around P960,000 or almost a million. The group said that even if someone else paid for the tab, it still would not look appropriate. “It’s embarrassing for the Philippines to have such write-ups appear in a foreign paper. It begs the question, what is Mrs. Arroyo really doing during her trips? Are tax-payers being made to shoulder the lavish lifestyles of the so-called rich and famous?” he added.

Reyes also pointed out that the reputation of corruption seemed to have stuck with Philippine officials, with the article even citing the case of former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller General Carlos Garcia who was convicted of perjury and who’s two sons were arrested in the US on charges of bulk-cash smuggling.

“This ostentatious display of affluence reminiscent of Imelda Marcos reinforces the perception that Philippine officials are corrupt and are living it up while others wallow in crisis. It is truly disappointing and disgusting,” Reyes said.

In a study, released in early November 2008 as part of Gallup’s World Food Day survey, 40%, or 4 in 10, Filipinos reported that they experienced hunger “often or sometimes” in the last 12 months.

[press release form Bagong Alyansang Makabayan]