President Arroyo is a working leader and is not merely enjoying the good life towards the end of her term as claimed by her detractors, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said over the weekend.

Nograles called on Mrs. Arroyo’s critics to stop attacking the President over the supposed large dining bills she racked up in a recent visit to the United States, saying these attacks may consequently “destroy the nation” before the world.

Nograles, who joined the President in her recent US tour, asserted the President’s indefatigable work ethics when on a mission abroad, citing better diplomatic and trade relations and investment ventures during her foreign visits.

“She is a working president. What good life are you talking about? You should see how she works from the plane, from the takeoff to the touchdown, and the meetings that she has to attend to. Ako nga di ko kaya yung schedule niya,” he told reporters after the signing into law of the Magna Carta of Women in Malacañang Friday.

Amid the furor over the alleged lavish dinners the Chief Executive had in New York City and Washington, D.C., the lawmaker also said the President’s critics should “stop making the President a punching bag.”

He said the lavishness of the dinners was “relative” since Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, one of the richest members of the House of Representatives, could easily afford the feast.

“Let’s concentrate more on the doughnut and not the hole and let’s look at the better things in life. Because every time we hit the government, and hit it excessively, we are destroying our own house. We are destroying our own nation. We are destroying our nation before the international community. I don't think that's what we want," he said.

On claims by Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona that the President has spent P2.7 billion for her foreign trips and even surpassed her travel budget, Nograles said they will look into the budget of the Office of the President during the hearing of the proposed 2010 national budget.

He also encouraged Guingona to raise his concerns on the President’s supposed large travel expenses during the budget hearing.

Nograles said he believes Malacañang has been transparent with the President’s travel expenses, adding the problem was “people don’t want to listen to their explanation.”