Philippines President : 1 Million Peso Dinner

The most controversial news today is about GMA's trip to the United States. Apparently there are reports that she spent $20,000 (or 955,400 Philippine Pesos) on dinner at an exclusive restaurant in New York. According to what I've heard from the news they bought expensive wines, caviar etc. and the serving was for 25 people. The Malacanang denies the said issue though and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde adds that the dinner was FREE, paid by Rep. Martin Romualdez, which I doubt is true. Colleagues of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez in the House of Representatives have asked him to confirm if he really paid for the dinner of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her entourage on August 2 in the posh Le Cirque restaurant in New York City and to tell the public how much he spent for it. Romualdez has yet to reply to text messages or calls since the controversy was raised over the weekend. Didn't they realize when common Filipinos hear this the first thing that come in their mind was thousands of hungry, poor Filipinos could have been fed for a month, so why didn't GMA demanded that the big spender dumped his money on those poor people instead, while they can dine on more appropriate place? And to think that there are millions of Filipino families who can barely afford a nutritious meal.

Here is the Breakdown of GMA's bill at Le Cirque:

LE CIRQUE MENU ITEM / PRICE / QTY/ TOTAL

Wild Golden Osetra Caviar (1 oz.280) / $280.00/ 5 / $1,400.00
Californian Osetra Caviar / $100.00 / 5 / $500.00
CHEF'S SEASONAL MENU Three Courses (58) /$58.00 / 25 / $1,450.00
CHEF'S TASTING MENU (120+60 wine pairing / $180.00 / 25 / $4,500.00

APPETIZERS:
Le Cirque Salad 22 / $22.00/ 3 / $66.00
Lobster Salad "Le Cirque" 45/58 / $58/ 3 / $174
Tuna / $21.00 / 3 / $63.00
Sauteed Gulf Shrimp / $27.00 / 3 / $81.00
Soft Shell Crab Tempura / $22.00/ 3 / $66.00
Spring Pea Soup / $24.00 / 3 / $72.00
Smoked Ham Hock and Parmesan Consomm / $24.00 / 3 / $72.00
Wild Burgundy Escargot / $29.00 / 3 / $87.00
Torchon of Foie Gras / $35.00 / 3 / $105.00

MAIN COURSES
Paupiette of Black Cod / $49.00 / 2 / $98.00
Halibut Poached in Coconut Milk / $40.00 / 2 / $80.00
Dover Sole / $75.00 / 2 / $150.00
Saddle of Lamb / $52.00 / 2 / $104.00
Prime Dry Aged Strip Steak / $60.00 / 2 / $120.00

TABLESIDE FOR TWO
Whole Roasted Fish *45pp / $45.00 / 3 / $135.00
Whole Roasted Chicken *39pp / $39.00 / 3 / $117.00
Champagne (est Krug@510ea) / $510 / 11 / $5,610.00
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Total $15,050.00
Tax (12%) $1,806.00
SC/Tip (20%) $3,010.00
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Grand Total $19,866.00