2008 in the Philippines

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Decades:	1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
See also:	List of years in the Philippines films television

2008 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in 2008.

Incumbents

• President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (NPC)
• Vice President: Noli de Castro (Independent)
• Senate President: Manuel Villar
• House Speaker: Jose de Venecia;^[1] Prospero Nograles^[2]
• Chief Justice: Reynato Puno
• Philippine Congress: 14th Congress of the Philippines

Events

January

• January 31 – The National Economic and Development Authority announced that the country's 2007 full year gross domestic product indicated a growth of 7.3%, and a growth of 7.8% for the gross national product,^[3] the highest such figures since 1977.^[4]

February

• February 4-5 – The House of Representatives voted to replace House Speaker Jose de Venecia with Prospero Nograles.^[5] Shortly before his removal, de Venecia criticized the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and announced to the media that he was joining the political opposition.^[6]
• February 8 – Jun Lozada, an official with the DENR, testified before the Philippine Senate that former COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos offered a 200 million peso bribe to then-NEDA Chairman Romulo Neri in connection with the National Broadband Network contract,^[7] and that Neri had instructed him not to implicate the husband of President Arroyo in the controversy.^[8]
• February 15 – The Supreme Court nullified warnings issued in 2006 by the Secretary of Justice and the NTC against the airing of the so-called "Hello Garci" tapes.^[9]

March

• March 6
  • Several members of Congress call for an investigation into a 2004 joint oil exploration agreement between the Philippines, China and Vietnam over the disputed Spratly Islands, claiming that the agreement was unconstitutional and infringed on national sovereignty.^[10]
  • Filipino authorities announce the arrest of three men from Jordan and Indonesia in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the United States embassy and three other foreign missions in Manila. Two other suspects in the plot were later arrested in Boracay.^[11]
• March 11 – A Manila trial court acquitted former First Lady Imelda Marcos of 32 counts of illegal money transfers.^[12]
• March 17 – The Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments on a certiorari petition filed by the Philippine government, which invoked sovereign immunity in connection with the enforcement of an American civil judgment against the estate of former President Ferdinand Marcos in favor of 9,500 human rights victims.^[13]
• March 24 – The family of Corazon Aquino announces that the former President is suffering from colon cancer.^[14]
• March 25 – The Supreme Court rules that the Senate may not compel former NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri to divulge his conversations with President Macapagal-Arroyo relating the bribery attempts surrounding the National Broadband Network contract.^[15]

April

• April 1 – Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral calls for a ban on foreigners availing of Philippine kidney transplants, after reports of destitute Filipinos selling their kidneys for paltry sums.^[16]
• April 7 – Amidst growing concerns over a feared shortage of rice in the Philippines, President Macapagal-Arroyo lifts quotas on the importation of rice by private traders.^[17]
• April 8 – Police seize hundreds of bomb components in Alaminos, Laguna, following a raid that targeted a Filipino with alleged links to Jemaah Islamiyah.^[18]
• April 8 – Nine military officers receive prison sentences from a Makati City trial court for their role in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny.^[19]

May

• May 27 – The Manila Electric Company held its tension-filled annual stockholders meeting, which lasted for more than 13 hours, making it the longest stockholders' meeting in Philippine corporate history. The head of the state pension fund Government Service Insurance System Winston Garcia filed a motion to the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend the stockholders' meeting after it questioned the proxy votes in favor of the Lopez family. The MERALCO board proceeded with the company's stockholders' meeting, defying a cease and desist order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission after it questioned the authenticity of the injunction order. After the rally and resistance of the stockholders against the bloc of Winston Garcia, the Lopez family retained control of MERALCO. The stockholders awarded five board seats to its representatives and only four seats to the representatives of the government. It took independent auditor SGV and Co. seven hours to come out with the results of the voting.^[20]

June

• June 8–19 – Ces Orena-Drilon, news anchor of ABS-CBN's late night television program Bandila, together with her crew and a Mindanao university professor, was initially reported to have been kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Maimbung, Sulu, by the rebel group Abu Sayyaf in June 8. On June 12, Angelo Valderama, the assistant cameraman from Drilon's crew, was released. The abductors named Indanan, Sulu mayor Alvarez S. Isnaji as their emissary. On June 16, Abu Sayyaf issued an ultimatum. The rebel group demanded for ransom amounting to P15 million by noontime of June 17, in exchange for the release of Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo The deadline was extended and the hostages were freed before midnight of June 18. On June 18 Ces Drilon and her crew were taken to Jolo, Sulu. Afterwards, they were brought by the Philippine army to Zamboanga city for a press conference. Philippine Senator Loren Legarda joined the released hostages and was reported to be the negotiator to the Abu Sayyaf. Legarda and the released hostages flew afterwards to Manila for another press conferences, and were brought to The Medical City afterwards for medication. PNP declared the Isnajis as suspects in the kidnapping of Drilon, her crew, and Dinampo in June 19.
• June 20-21 – The ship MV Princess of the Stars, owned by Sulpicio Lines that carried 626 passengers and 121 crew members, stalled in rough seas near Sibuyan Island in the central Philippines. The ship left Manila Saturday morning. Typhoon Frank caused the ship to sink, though it was previously reported that the ship experienced engine failure.^[21]

August

• August 25 – The peace talks between Government of the Philippines (GRP) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) collapsed after the Supreme Court declares the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) is unconstitutional.^[22]

November

• November 19 – The House Committee on Public Order and Safety launched its own investigation into the "euro generals". Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino, panel chairman, said that the panel has sent out invitations to all police officers who went to Russia, retired national Police comptroller Eliseo de la Paz and Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno. Also invited were Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya and a senior representative from the Commission on Audit.^[23] The panel is also reviewing reports of the Philippine National Police and the Napolcom.^[24]

National holidays

Holidays in italics are "special days", while those in regular type are "regular holidays".

• January 1: New Year's Day
• February 25: 1986 EDSA Revolution
• March 20: Maundy Thursday
• March 21: Good Friday
• March 22: Black Saturday
• April 9: Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
• May 1: Labor Day
• June 12: Independence Day
• August 21: Ninoy Aquino Day
• August 25: National Heroes Day
• October 1: Eid al-Fitr
• November 1: All Saints Day
• November 30: Bonifacio Day
• December 25: Christmas
• December 30: Rizal Day
• December 31: New Year's Eve

In addition, several other places observe local holidays, such as the foundation of their town. These are also "special days."

Sports

• March 15 - Boxing: Manny Pacquiao becomes the Ring Magazine and WBC super featherweight champion as he defeats Juan Manuel Márquez by split decision.^[25]
• June 28 - Boxing: Manny Pacquiao won against David Díaz via knockout in the ninth round to win the WBC lightweight title.^[26]
• August 8–24 — Multi-Sport Event: The Philippines competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The country was represented by 15 athletes, who competed in 17 events across 8 sports.
• September 25 — Basketball: The Ateneo Blue Eagles wins defeating the De La Salle Green Archers 2-0 in their final series to win their fourth men's title in the UAAP Championships.
• September 29 — Basketball: The San Beda Red Lions wins defeating the JRU Heavy Bombers 2-1 in their final series to win their third men's title in the NCAA Championships.
• December 6 - Boxing: Manny Pacquiao defeats Oscar De La Hoya after eight rounds in a fight billed as The Dream Match. When De La Hoya couldn't answer the bell for the ninth round, it was officially a Technical knockout.

Entertainment and culture

• May 11 - Miss Philippines Earth 2008, the 8th edition of Miss Philippines Earth pageant, was held at Crowne Plaza Galleria, Ortigas Center, Manila, Philippines. Miss Karla Paula Henry of Cebu won the pageant.
• November 9 - Miss Earth 2008 was hosted by the Philippines at Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. Karla Henry of the Philippines won the pageant.

Concerts

• April 3: Toto live at the Araneta Coliseum
• November 29: Christopher Cross and Workshy live at the Araneta Coliseum

Births

• July 31: Raikko Mateo, child actor

Deaths

• January 1: Eloisa Mabutas, 69, Manila Times columnist (born 1939)
• January 15: Eduardo Hontiveros, 84, Jesuit composer and musician (born 1923)
• January 28: Crisologo Abines, 60, former Congressman, 2nd District of Cebu (born 1947)
• February 2: Billy Balbastro, 68, entertainment columnist and DZMM anchor (born 1940)
• February 2: Pedro Baban, 94, first Igorot general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (born 1914)
• February 4: Larry Cruz, 66, restaurateur, founder of LJC Restaurant Group (born 1941)
• February 6: Stella Goldenberg Brimo, 96, classical pianist, dean of UST Conservatory of Music (born 1911)
• February 8: Victor Dominguez, 69, incumbent Congressman, Lone District, Mountain Province (born 1938)
• February 22: Gilberto Teodoro, Sr., 80, former SSS Administrator and father of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (born 1927)
• February 29: Tino Reynoso, 62, retired Philippine Basketball Association player (born 1945)
• March 8: Carol Varga, 80, FAMAS-award winning actress (born 1928)
• March 10: Galo Ador, Jr., 38, Filipino Komiks writer (born 1969)
• March 13: Joseph Marañon, 73, incumbent governor of Negros Occidental (born 1934)
• March 17: Rafael Recto, 76, former Batangas Assemblyman and political scion (born 1931)
• March 25: Chito Madrigal-Collantes, 86, socialite and philanthropist (born 1921)
• March 27: Toti Fuentes, 55, jazz pianist (born 1952)
• March 28: Nemesio Prudente, 80, former PUP president and political prisoner (born 1927)
• March 29: Venicio Escolin, 86, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice (born 1921)
• April 14: Olivia Cenizal, 82, film actress (born 1926)
• April 16: Lucia "Aling Lucing" Cunanan, 79, inventor of sisig (born 1928)
• April 19: Lou Salvador, Jr., 67, film actor (born 1941)
• April 23: Loreto Paras-Sulit, 89, writer of short fiction (born 1908)
• April 27: Marcos Mataro, 40, former member of Iglesia Ni Cristo and ex-host of D'X-Man (born 1968)
• May 4: Ramon Pagdanganan, 55, former Calumpit, Bulacan Mayor and younger brother of ex-Governor Roberto Pagdanganan (born 1953)
• May 8: Jose Feria, 91, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice (born 1917)
• May 16: Henry Canoy, 74, founder of Radio Mindanao Network; grandson of ABS-CBN reporter Jeff Canoy (born 1923)
• May 20: Crispin Beltran, 75, incumbent congressman and labor leader (born 1933)
• May 25: Dommy Ursua, 71, flyweight boxer (born 1936)
• May 26: Dolly Aglay, 32, journalist with Reuters and Philippine Star (born 1966)
• May 26: Howlin' Dave, 54, radio disc jockey (born 1955)
• May 29: Romeo Brawner, 73, incumbent COMELEC Commissioner (born 1935)
• June 7: Rudy Fernandez, 56, Filipino actor (born 1951)
• June 7: Danilo Lagbas, 56, incumbent Congressman (born 1952)
• July 22: Abbo de la Cruz, film director also known as "Rico Mambo" (born 1952/1953)
• July 22: Gilbert Perez, 49, movie and TV director (born 1959)
• August 14: Jose Blanco, 76, painter (born 1932)
• August 16: Lucrecia Kasilag, 90, National Artist of the Philippines (born 1918)
• August 28: Mang Pandoy, 62, street vendor and media icon (born 1945)
• August 28: Zorayda Sanchez, 56, film and TV comedian (born 1952)
• September 1: Dely Magpayo, 88, radio host best known as "Tia Dely" (born 1920)
• September 2: Nasty Mac, 30, Dongalo Wreckords Artist/rapper (born 1978)
• September 12: Pacita Madrigal Warns Gonzalez, 93, former Senator (born 1915)
• September 26: Cirio H. Santiago, 72, film director (born 1936)
• October 13: Khryss Adalia, 62, film and television director (born 1946)
• October 18: Alfredo E. Evangelista, archaeologist, discovered the Laguna Copper Plate
• November 19: Eulogio Borres, 91, Mayor of Cebu City (1963–1966; 1968–1979), politician (born 1917)
• November 27: Armand Fabella, Secretary of Education (1992–1994), president of Jose Rizal University
• December 4: Manuel Yan, 88, former AFP Chief of Staff and diplomat; grandfather of the late Rico Yan (born 1920)
• December 7: Marky Cielo, 20, StarStruck 3's Ultimate Male Survivor and Ultimate Soul Survivor (born 1988)
• December 10: Didith Reyes, 60, singer (born 1948)
• December 17: Guillermo Cua, 58, incumbent party-list congressman (born 1950)
• December 23: Narciso Bernardo, 72, basketball player and Olympian (born 1937)
• December 24: Ricardo Manapat, 55, author & director of the National Archives (born 1953)

References