PGMA-SONA

In a mixed atmosphere of a typhoon, several thousand protesters, and,
under a protective blanket of ten thousand police and troops President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, gave a speech ending on a note of reconciliation and focused on programs as well as projects that
centered on strong economic gains in the Philippines in the last 22 months.
Focusing as she started her roughly One hour and thirty minute talk on people related issues and programs, she claims the public is more
concerned with government programs than politics.

Arroyo left off directly speaking on her critics issues which still center of her legitimacy; keeping those issues off her agenda and
spoke on financial gains and the fight versus corruption and the boom of the BPO service economy and technology sectors that are boosting
growth with a jump from 2000 BPO jobs in 2001 to over 200,000 in 2006.
Citing 22 Months of solid double digit growth figures in the Philippine Economy.
Saying this next year thanks to reforms and victories over terrorism and ongoing peace talks with rebel groups.

Opposition leaders mostly reacted by downplaying her administrations political gains and focusing on their effort at impeachment with
several complaints filed and awaiting action in congress.

Her Critics focused on the issue of alleged illegitimacy of her government and issues of human rights abuses and summery killings of members of the media, grass roots politcal parties, and, labor and leftist leaders.