Manila  - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday scrapped a plan to buy a new presidential jet amid criticisms over alleged extravagance in her administration, her spokesman said.

Cerge Remonde said Arroyo opted to cancel the purchase of the new plane worth at least 1.2 billion pesos (25 million dollars) even if it would have benefited her successor.

He added that Arroyo had previously cancelled similar plans despite recommendations by the Presidential Airlift Wing to purchase a new jet.

"The president has ordered the cancellations because she didn't want people to say that she was prioritizing her needs," he said. "This would have been something that would benefit her successor."

The planned purchase was heavily criticized by opposition groups following reports that Arroyo and her delegation feasted on expensive dinners in Washington and New York during an official visit to the United States.

The bill for the dinner in New York allegedly reached 20,000 dollars.

While the government denied spending for the dinners, the reports sparked public outrage over lavish spending by government officials despite the global financial crisis that has affected many Filipinos.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said the recommendation to buy a new plane for domestic and foreign travel was made to cut the costs of commercial or chartered flights.

According to Olivar, the airlift wing has two fixed-wing planes that are old and difficult to maintain. (dpa)