MANILA - Over 15,000 users were engaged at abs-cbnNEWS State of the Nation Address (SONA) live chat on Monday.

Supporters, as well as citizen critics, expressed their opinions on this year’s SONA.

“Ang sakit naman magsalita ni GMA. Ang lakas ng parinig kay padyak king,” a site guest said after Mrs. Arroyo sent a message to those who want to be president: “Don’t pussyfoot. Just do it. Don’t say bad words in public.”

She was indirectly referring to Sen. Manuel Roxas II and the expletives he made at an anti-Charter change (Cha-cha) rally in Makati in December 2008.

Another thrilled chatter “itpinoy” echoed what the president said.

Site chatters Alex and Andrea were confused, however, as to whom the president was addressing her statements.

“Hindi ko maisip kung sino bang taong tinutukoy niya (GMA),” Andrea said. Still, she said bashing was unnecessary.

OFWs active chatters

A site guest expressed his sentiments against the government’s preference for soldiers, although the military was not discussed in the SONA.

“Binigyan mo ng magagandang tirahan ang mga sundalo para protektahan ka, ang mga OFWs ba nabigyan mo ng ganyan? Hindi,” he said.

The unnamed site guest said that the government should protect OFWs, like himself, because they are the ones who keep the economy afloat.

“Halos magbuwis kami ng buhay para lang sa pamilya, at higit sa lahat, para sa bansang Pilipinas,” he said, citing that hard work and heroism are not only found in military service.

Chatter PinoyInHK wondered whether the Philippines would really rise from poverty: “Korea at China na nga, nakabangon sa super lugmok na kalagayan, tayo pa kaya?”

But Jay from Bahrain told chatters to stop complaining and start, like OFWs, to doing something for the country.

“Hayaan natin na dumiskarte ang sinumang Pinino ng ating bayan, may sari-sariling buhay at pamilya tayong dapat pag-ukulan ng pansin,” Jay said.

An OFW from Dubai also agreed with Jay. “Mayroon bang buting naidudulot ang batikos, protesta at paglulupasay sa lansangan? Wala, tama na."

Chatter “From KSA with LOVE” said that not all OFWs are against GMA. “Many are proud of her,” the chatter said.

GMA and Martial Law

During her 8-year stay at the Malacañang, President Arroyo declared a state of emergency on a few occasions.

Although the president has never declared martial law, as she stressed in her SONA, chatters said the Arroyo administration may well have already started martial law.

Site chatter Paulus said that the GMA administration is worse than the Marcos administration.

“Martial law will fulfill her dreams and she shall break the record of the legendary dictator. It’s not yet over, she has a few months to reign in her wickedness,” Paulus said.

But chatter Fred Magdalera countered other chatters’ comparison of the Arroyo administration with the Marcos regime.

“Sino sa mga dating presidente pagkatapos ng martial law nakapagpatatag ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas? Wala, maliban kay PGMA,” Magdalera said.

Leon said it is time to rebuild a new Filipino society out of the traditional politicians, landlords and “foreign dictation.”

“Let’s make a lesson out of the Gloria administration and past regimes. What a pity to our native land,” Leon said.

Charter change

Many of the chatters waited for the president to tackle the issue of Charter change (Cha-cha). Some agreed with it, but most refused the idea.

Negor said that a change in the form of government does not necessarily mean a change of leadership. In fact, the chatter said the administration’s push for a parliamentary government is reminiscent of the Marcos era wherein anomalies and corruption by the country’s leader and cronies proliferated but were never punished.

Another chatter named Kiwikino said that the push for Cha-cha could happen because relatives of the president are members of the House of Representatives. Kiwikino said that good Filipinos are fighting against the change in the Constitution.

A change in attitude is needed more than a change in government said chatter Dennis.

“Most of all, the ability to change others for the good of the country,” Dennis added.

Post-2010 elections

Most chatters were hoping that come June 30, 2010, GMA would step down from presidency, and that there would be a peaceful transfer of power to the next president of the Philippines.

Chatter Asher John Santos said he is excited to have a new president; while chatter Alex said he wants a president who fears God, one “who will not abuse power.”

A leader who could unite the Filipino people is also needed, said chatter Munengr. “Ang mahalaga, kung sino man ang manungkulan sa ating bansa ay ating suportahan hindi yung palaging binabatikos,” Munengr said.

“We only choose and vote. The implementation of good things must be done,” said a site chatter who expressed that the problem with the Philippines is not the people who vote but those who are put into power.

Renevisayas is only one among the many chatters who would be praying for the outcome of the 2010 elections: “I am praying that whoever is the next president of the Philippines would be enlightened and that he or she will be serving the true sentiment of the people.”

abs-cbnNEWS.com opened the chat session early morning and was still ongoing as of posting. by Maria Althea Teves, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak