Days after the media feasted on the alleged US$20,000 dinner tab of President Arroyo and her entourage at the Le Cirque restaurant in New York, the contact manager of Le Cirque has belied an earlier report that has made Arroyo’s dinner in New York very controversial.

In a letter to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Philippine Consul General in New York Cecilia Rebong disclosed that the August 14 to 21, 2009 issue of the Filipino Reporter in New York reported that the $20,000 dinner tab controversy is a “lie,” based on an interview with Le Cirque contact manager Mario Wainer.

Wainer was quoted as saying, “it’s a lie” and “it’s far from the truth.” He said: “President Arroyo and her group had dinner here (Le Cirque) just like everyone else.”

“The $20,000 dinner tab was not true,” Rebong also said.

She added: “The article said the Filipino Reporter suggested to Mr. Wainer ‘that in the light of conflicting claims in Manila and by critics of Mrs. Arroyo and by the New York Post, on one hand, and the President’s men, on the other, perhaps, Le Cirque should issue a statement to clarify the issue.’ However, Mr. Wainer replied that we (Le Cirque) do not involve ourselves in politics.”

The Arroyo administration found itself in hot water after a New York Post article dated August 7 revealed that the President and some of her entourage ordered a sumptuous meal and paid $20,000 during her US state visit

But Malacañang said that the dinner was not extravagant as reported.