Critics of President Arroyo derided her State of the Nation Address (Sona) as “self-praise” with little substance.

Constitutional expert and Ateneo de Manila professor Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, said the President “praised herself very well” by enumerating many accomplishments but failed to answer what many Filipinos have been speculating about for years.

“Like many others, I wanted to her to say 'Forget Constitutional change',” he said.

The business leaders said the country was least affected by the global crisis due to its minimal engagement.

They also questioned the Arroyo government's campaign towards eliminating corruption and red tape in the bureaucracy.

“At least we can still survive (but) we (the business sector) do not see moves being made that could make us a very competitive country,” said Dondi Joseph, president of the Cebu Business Club.

He said whatever economic growth the country achieved was negligible as the country had yet to to provide 300,000 to 500,000 jobs for an annual 1.5 million graduates.

Joseph said the Arroyo government managed to institute the Value-Added Tax to prop up the economy.

Ephraim Pelaez Jr., Mactan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said businesses will always see an opportunity despite hard times.

“But in general, if you are trying to attract foreign investments they would look at leadership. I have adopted the attitude that there are many things we could do locally,” said Pelaez.

Judge Gabriel Ingles said the President “lacked a sense of humility” in admitting that mistakes were made during her tenure.

“This was supposed to be the last Sona. Just like the last Sona of (former presidents) Fidel Ramos and Cory Aquino wherein they said they were stepping down. There was nothing like that,” said Ingles, Palace of Justice spokesman.

Like Bernas Ingles and Micheal Yu, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City chapter, criticized the President's ambiguity about her political plans.

Yu said the President didn't categorically say if was stepping down.

“What we should do is to make sure 2010 (elections) will materialize, we should pressure the government,” Yu said.

Environmental lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos criticized the President's tirades against her detractors, saying it was a “waste of time.”

“I have no expectation that she would talk about the problems of the nation that include corruption, climate change, persistent human rights violations.”

Fr. Carmelo Diola, head of anti-graft and corruption group Dilaab said the President failed to show convincing proof that her administration made a dent in its campaign against corruption.

But Cebu's local officials like Provincial Board Member Jose Ma. Gastardo lauded the Arroyo administration's efforts towards improving the economy.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna said the Arroyo administration's gains will only be felt in the next decade or so.

He said among these achievements are the approval of the Tourism Bill, infrastructure projects and the improved peace and order situation especially in Cebu. /With reports from Jhunnex Napallacan, Carine M. Asutilla and Chris Ligan