Frustrated over the increased intensity of negative publicity Malacañang has been receiving since the death of former President Corazon Aquino, a congressional ally of the Arroyo government accused media on Tuesday of trying to boost sales by reporting only bad news.

Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government, showed his exasperation over media reports assailing President Arroyo’s lavish New York City dinner and acquired wealth, chiding newspapers for failing to publish the brighter side of her government.

“It seems that the battle among newspapers to boost its circulations is to report negative stories,” the veteran lawmaker said. “How about good news? What happened to the positive gains of this administration? Have these good stories and positive achievements of the administration been given enough space and prominence?”

Romualdo lashed back at Mrs. Arroyo’s political foes for politicizing “an otherwise special dinner” tendered by a neophyte lawmaker for the First Couple on their wedding anniversary in New York.

Despite Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s confirmation of a Malacañ ang statement insisting that it was he who paid the $20,000 bill at the Le Cirque dinner, opposition personalities led by Makati City Mayor Jejomar  Binay continued their relentless attacks on the Arroyos before the media.

“That was a very special day for the First Couple. Alangan naman sa turo-turo sila kakain na for sure ay napakamahal rin. Even in the Philippines, napakamahal rin ng pagkain sa first-class restaurants at five-star hotels. There is nothing wrong about it, pinupulitika lang talaga,” Romualdo said.

The President and her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, together with their American security escorts and several members of the Philippine entourage to the US were treated by Romualdez to a dinner at the expensive French restaurant.

“Given the chance, I will do what Rep. Romualdez did in paying the bills during the dinner (in that New York restaurant),” Romualdo said.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III chided Mrs. Arroyo’s critics for faulting her in dining in a first-class New York City restaurant.

“Kasalanan na bang mailibre ka? Anong magagawa mo kung inilibre ka? Alangan naman tanungin mo ang nanlibre kung magkano ang binayaran niya?” Albano said.

Albano said in criticizing Mrs. Arroyo, opposition personalities in the country have ignored the fact that the US imposes high taxes on restaurants, thus making dinner in “an ordinary restaurant” expensive.