GMA New York dinner 'overly exaggerated'

MANILA, Philippines - The reported ostentatious dinner of President Arroyo and other officials in a New York City restaurant is "overly exaggerated," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde today (Aug.9) said.

In a radio interview, Remonde also denied a recent report in the New York Post that a known restaurant was closed to the public to accommodate Mrs. Arroyo and her entourage.

"I assure the public that not a single centavo of Filipino taxpayers' money was spent for that dinner," the Cabinet official added.

Remonde also clarified that it was not a party but an ordinary dinner with a set meal that consisted of a choice of fish or meat for the main course.

"It is not true that the President herself was ordering the waiters around," he said.

He noted that there were a lot of people, including Filipinos, inside the Le Cirque in New York City when they arrived.

The dinner was on the invitation of Leyte Rep. Martin Romuladez, who paid the bill, according to Remonde.

Remonde said he has no idea how much the dinner cost.