Impunity in Profligacy

Impunity in Profligacy

By the way Arroyo and her officials spent money left and right in paying for expensive meals and the plane fares and hotel accommodations of the whole entourage during its recent US trip, it seems as if they treat the nation’s coffers as their own expense account.

By BENJIE OLIVEROS

MANILA — Malacañang dismissed the reported $20,000 dinner of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s entourage at Le Cirque, an expensive restaurant in Manhattan, as a “simple dinner” purportedly paid for by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. However, Malacañang never contested the amount paid; and no matter how you look at it or by whatever standard it is measured, a $20,000 bill for one meal is, well, simply and scandalously lavish. Knowing that the President and her entourage supposedly feasted on caviar and champagne while the Filipino people go hungry makes it more appalling.

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