By now, everyone must have already heard of the expensive dinner bills our beloved President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo racked up during her recent visit to the United States. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what happened, President Arroyo had two extravagant dinners during the weekend of former President Corazon Aquino’s death – one worth $15,000 at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in Washington, DC, and another for $20,000 at Le Cirque in New York City. Although the President claims that these were all working dinners, her dining companions eventually admitted that they were held in honor of her wedding anniversary. You can read more about the issue at Manuel Quezon III’s blog.
Naturally, Filipinos were outraged by the extravagant dinners. Although the $20,000 Le Cirque bill was footed by Rep. Romualdez, the whole “Circusgate” scandal still caused quite a controversy because it was done in bad taste and because the Palace dealt with the issue in such a haughty manner. Take for instance her son Rep. Mikey Arroyo, who added more fuel to the fire when he condescendingly asked if we wanted our President to eat at a McDonald’s or some turo-turo.
“You want your president to eat in McDonalds or some turo-turo (food stand)? I think there’s more dignity in having your president and her cabinet members and members of the Lower House to eat in a decent restaurant.”
Sure, it would be too unrealistic to expect the President of a nation to eat at just any roadside canteen. But just because you’re President of a country, doesn’t mean you’re entitled to have lavish dinners at sinfully extravagant restaurants, especially when so many of your own people can barely afford to buy instant pansit canton, much less food at turo-turos. Instead of showing humility and restraint, Rep. Mikey Arroyo looks down on us and implies that we should have been grateful to the President for eating overpriced meals on our behalf.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney doesn’t seem to have a problem with McDonald’s takeout. She’s no president, of course, but at least she doesn’t abuse her position by demanding VIP treatment wherever she goes.
Then there is President Obama who ate at Ben’s Chili Bowl, in Washington DC, the kind of joint that Congressman Mikey sneers at.
Mr Obama personally ordered and wolfed down a Chili Half Smoke with fries, placed on waxed paper over a cheap red plastic basket (similar to what the local KFC uses).
Yes, we would like our President to show a little humility and compassion by eating at a McDonalds’ or turo-turo every once in a while.
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