$20,000 Dinner with President GMA?

I am quite sure you already heard this issue, as it is being reported in every news report.

The people who are sitting in prime positions, should avoid such extravaganza whether it is spending by him or somebody else. If it is spend by somebody else, it is unethical because they wanted to influence the highest office of the President. As opined by some people, it would have better spend for one time food for thousands who are poor and needy

This is downright the breaking point in my scale. I wasn't really paying much attention to GMA's controversies but this one takes the cake. There's also this news about GMA and her cabinet members checking in on a very expensive hotel in Dubai.

I can't understand the rationalization of others saying there's nothing wrong for a rich congressman spending almost a million as a gift to the President of the Philippines. Please do try to research and read about the codes of being a public official (elected or appointed) so we will see eye to eye. If they can replace the word congressman and President with "rich" and or "private individuals", then I will fully embrace their arguments. Also, what's the point of saying that the Php 1,000,000.00 (now, you see how many zeroes a million has) was not consumed by GMA alone? Gosh! Are they serious? This only gives another reason to question the President's tour all around the world with her junkets. Why does she need to have more than 60 people with her in this particular visit and almost the same number of people in her other trips? Now, GMA's supporters are blaming the media for highlighting this issue. My gulay! Why don't they just blame the weather? Or maybe, they should just point the finger to Obama for not hosting a dinner for them.

hello friend, Yup! I heard that because the media will scattered it every where. Every corner of the street people know that. In my views about those militant calling that the money should feed the poor people is unethical. This people didn't think that they down graded our dignity. Even we are poor we are trying to survive what we have in life. We didn't ask anything from any body else or lean from someone help. Do you think if that money is feeding up all poor people is enough to them to live in great dignity? Poor people need jobs, not the money of dirty politicians that they corrupt from the wealth of the country... I think militant group should choose their words before they shout out in the public. It seems they are good but I think they use only the poor for own agenda also. Those people talking too much in the public when they are in the positions in the government they also corrupt... What did those partylist representative in the congress? If they really true that they are in the side of the poor why they don't use their funds for the people. Make laws for the poor people so that poor people have equal access to court and other benefits from the government not talking in the street? Those partylist representative have equal power from the regular congressmen and have equal funds.Where did they use their funds? Since there are many partylist in the congress. Why they don't make a possible systems that help the poor having a jobs. If the government congressmen, nothing to do with their constituent why not they acts for the benefit of the poor people instead going to street and talked about poor people common ideas and dignities...?

This is issue is not new for any politician currently having the highest post. The problem with us filipinos is we always try find anything bad that we can say against our leaders. We always make them the reasons why we are in a state we are, which is poor kind of living. We wanted to blame them for our hunger, problems about our life, no job, no money, no food etc. Was there a president in our country that did not have these kind of accusations? none, why because filipino people always want to bring down any one above them. It seems they always want to be a leader, everybody wants to be a president. Regarding the dinner, even rich people in our country spend such amount but they were not noticed because they are not politicians and that's the only difference. We don't even know if these rich people spend more. Why don't these people complaining tell other rich people to spend their money for the poor. Why don't they stage a rally against all the rich people and tell them to give their money to the poor. People say that the money should have been better spent for the poor. But people didn't even bother if the person who spent that money had already help the poor, he may have foundation that helps the needy. He may have already donated to other charitable institutions. All of these we don't know. Most Filipinos always run into judgement and conclude very quickly without knowing the facts. Most filipinos are emotional and they don't think right before they decide on something. Well finally this issue is really sensationalized. Because it was judged right away on emotions and not on facts.

Of course it would be better spent to help the poor people just what does this person think he will gain from this. thats just greed again!

lol =D How one wanna spend their money, is their own business, and why should it all be used for feeding the poor instead?? Furthermore, he's a congressman, and that assuming he's using his own pocket money, why not?? After all, it's a gift for wedding anniversary of first couple, and thus, $20,000 is not considered that much either.. Be more opened in their views to things instead.. lol =D

I think even if it didn't reach $20,000 but was only merely $10,000 -- that's too much to spend on dinner, and I certainly think that yes that money could have been spent with better purposes! I can't even imagine spending $1,000 for dinner, let alone $20,000! Outrageous!

Even if the money did not come from the government, it's still not a nice gesture for a politician to pay almost $20,000 for such food, just for a wedding gift. There might be something fishy. I agree that the money spend in that dinner may help feed poor people. The majority would probably rant on this news because it is really unethical, knowing that there are a lot of filipino families who are suffering from crisis.

I first read it here one of the Filipino in the US shared it here. Now is the headline now here in the Philippines that Arroyo spent P1M for lunch in the US. What I have read in newspaper that one of the Congressman admits that there lunch cost P1M but some denied it. Yes I agree that money can help many hungry Filipinos. This administration is heartless and corrupt. In the news yesterday Arroyo gets richer this year . She uses her power to acquired her wealth.

I also think that money should be devoted to the poor people.

to quote miriam santiago in her interview in tv patrol, it was a big group who dined. GMA alone did not consume 1M worth of food all on her own. i'm not fond of gma, nor am i patronizing extravagant living, but the very people criticizing GMA right now are themselves guilty of unnecessary extravagance and corruption.

Its extravagant. Even if its a treat, it can considered as some form of offering "something" in exchange for something. It may not intended that way, but sure 20,000$ is a lot of money even for the Americans. So the bottomline is: its just too extravagant.

I heard it also it the news the other. They say that the money came from a congressman from Leyte.Malacanang said that it was a gift. It is a vey expensive gift right? Would you spend almost a million pesos for gift? And even if I am that generous, I think I would buy something tangible. It is vey unethical and they should be ashamed of themselves. Splurging that much money while millions of filipinos go hungry everyday. The money could have send a lot of kid to school or even feed a lot of people. I think the is the problem, they treat the country's money as if they are getting it from there own pockets. If they are really serious about serving the people, they should have think twice before doing that. Also they were celebrating while the country is mourning the passing one of the greatest public servant that has ever lived. They should follow Cory's example. If all politicians serve honestly for even a year, I think the Philippines would be a better place to live in. I love the Philippines. I love being a Filipino despite everything wrong going on our country. I hope one day that a President worthy of the title is elected in my lifetime

What can we expect from moneyed people who are at their trip in New York of course they can spend all they want, so what if there are so many sufferrings from hunger, maybe by that time they're forgetting whatever problems besides It's their wedding anniversary. So whats 20,000 dollars anyway, as long as their satisfied and happy, after all it's her last year in her presidency. Should she give it up. I won't feel bad, it's a sort of a gift to their anniversary and a send off gift as she bids goodbye to her presidency. (joke, hehehe)

I've heard that news and I was so upset. It could have been their personal money but why should they spend such amount for just a meal??? They are public servants and they must set good example. The country is experiencing crisis yet they can afford to waste money. I think if they do not know where to use their money, they better share it with the less fortunate people in the country. Besides, without these people, they won't be in their position.

i think the money is came from the government because the congressman is corrupt i think $20,000 dollar that pay for dinner or lunch is came from government because they are so many politics are corrupt and i know one day all politics that corrupt will be carma in one day i hate all politics because there so many people poor that need help and need money no one they help us.. all money of government is use for personal think like shopping or buy food buy properties. i hate all corrupt politics.

i think that even though the president did not pay the bill and some congressman did, still i think it came from the peoples money and they owe it to the people they must give it back to them.i agree that the president is the most powerful person why did she let someone paid for that bill????... anyway, they must at least say an apology to the filipino people and accept the fact that they've made mistake... we all make mistake... ^_^

In my opinion if that big amount is paid by someone as a gift then i think she should have delicadeza to refuse since she is in the position as President. She should think of what people would say. Its really unethical to spend such big amount to think that her people here is suffering from poverty. That big amount can already feed thousands of people. Anyway whatever the truth is, it shouldn't happen again and it should be a lesson for them.