2008 in the Philippines

Years in the Philippines:	2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Centuries:	20th Century · 21st century · 22nd century
Decades:	1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s
Years:	2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

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

Contents 1 Incumbents 2 Events 2.1 January 2.2 February 2.3 March 2.4 April 2.5 May 2.6 June 2.6.1 Ces Drilon kidnapping[28] 2.6.2 Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) 2.7 July 2.8 August 2.9 September 2.10 October 2.11 November 3 Television 3.1 Premieres 3.2 Finales 4 Film 5 Deaths 6 References

Incumbents

• President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
• Vice President: Noli de Castro
• Senate President: Manuel Villar
• House Speaker: Jose de Venecia;^[1] Prospero Nograles^[2]
• Chief Justice: Reynato Puno

Events

January

• January 9: Two people died and several others were injured as over 2 million Filipinos celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.^[3]
• 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,^[4] the highest such figures since 1977.^[5]

February

• February 4 to February 5: The House of Representatives voted to replace House Speaker Jose de Venecia with Prospero Nograles.^[6] 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.^[7]
• 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,^[8] and that Neri had instructed him not to implicate the husband of President Arroyo in the controversy.^[9]
• 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.^[10]

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.^[11]
• March 6: 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.^[12]
• March 11: A Manila trial court acquitted former First Lady Imelda Marcos of 32 counts of illegal money transfers.^[13]
• March 16: In a split decision, Manny Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Márquez and claimed the WBC Super Featherweight boxing championship.^[14]
• March 17: Labor Secretary Arturo Brion was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. He replaced Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, who retired on February 27.^[15]
• 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.^[16]
• March 24: The family of Corazon Aquino announces that the former President is suffering from colon cancer.^[17]
• 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.^[18]

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.^[19]
• April 3: Departing Manila after a state visit to the Philippines, Palau President Tommy Remengesau is denied passage onto a Continental Airlines aircraft after he refuses to be frisked; the flight is forced to return to Manila after a bomb threat is phoned in.^[20]
• 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.^[21]
• April 8: Police seize hundreds of bomb components in Alaminos, Laguna, following a raid that targeted a Filipino with alleged links to Jemaah Islamiyah.^[22]
• April 8: Nine military officers receive prison sentences from a Makati City trial court for their role in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny.^[23]

May

• 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.
• May 16: Eight employees and a security guard of a Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation branch in Cabuyao, Laguna were killed in a bank robbery.^[24] The bank manager of the said branch, who was also shot during the massacre, died of gunshot wounds on May 18.^[25]
• May 19: The Manila Police District said that the bank robbers responsible for the murders in Paco, Manila and in Cabuyao, Laguna are the same. They also believed that the bank robbers are former members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.^[26]
• 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.^[27]

June

Ces Drilon kidnapping^[28]

• June 8 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.
• June 10 ABS-CBN management issued an official statement, saying that Drilon and her crew are missing in Sulu.^[29]
• June 11 ABS-CBN management confirmed that Drilon and her crew have been kidnapped for ransom in Sulu but declared that it "will abide by its policy not to pay ransom because this would embolden kidnap for ransom groups to abduct other journalists..."^[30]
• 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 in the ongoing negotiations for the other captives' release.
• June 16 The kidnappers 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.
• June 17 The Abu Sayyaf extended their deadline for the ransom payment. Later during the day, PNP Chief Avelino Razon said that Drilon and the other hostages are expected to be released within the next few hours. Drilon and the hostages were freed shortly before midnight.
• 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.
• June 19 PNP declared the Isnajis as suspects in the kidnapping of Drilon, her crew, and Dinampo.

Typhoon Frank (Fengshen)

• June 19: Typhoon Frank made landfall in eastern Samar in the central Philippines and travelled northwest over the islands.^[31] Fengshen was initially forecast to go through Bicol Region but later on shifted its course further westward, eventually going towards the direction of Mindoro Province. However, before even reaching Mindoro it again shifted its direction northward towards the direction of Metro Manila, mainly because of the weakening of the High Pressure area system in the northern part of the Philippines.^[32]
• June 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.^[33]
• June 22: Typhoon Frank crossed Metro Manila between 5 am and 6 am Sunday.

• June 24: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and US President George W. Bush had a meeting at the Oval Palace in White House as part of the Philippine President's 10-day working visit in the USA. Issues on oil and food prices and terrorism were reportedly discussed in their meeting.^[34]
• June 29: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with Republican White House Presidential candidate John McCain. The President expressed her gratefulness to the latter's support for the approval of the Veterans Equity bill. Other issues like terrorism in Mindanao were also discussed.^[35]
• June 29: Manny Pacquiao won against David Diaz via knockout in the ninth round to win the WBC lightweight title.^[36]

July

• July 24: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed former Senator Ralph Recto as the socioeconomic planning secretary and director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).^[37]
• July 28: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivered her eight State of the Nation Address (SONA).^[38][39]
• July 31: Fitness.Fashion, a catwalk team-up between some of the country’s top designers and best-selling activewear brands, at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila in Makati City, sponsored by Samsung and Inquirer Lifestyle^[40]

August

• August 30- The Eraserheads had their reunion at the Fort Bonifacio City Open Grounds in Taguig City. Its a one night concert but after the 1st set(which they play only 15 songs) the concert had to be cut short because of Ely Buendia's worsing health condition and he was sent to the hospital.The media hailed the event a "concert of the year" in 2008 even if the event cut short.

September

October

November

• November 9: Miss Earth 2008 was hosted by the Philippines at Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. Karla Paula Henry of the Philippines won the pageant.

Television

These are TV programs that premiered and had their finales this year; new seasons and miniseries are excluded.

Premieres January 14: Wheel of Fortune (ABS-CBN) January 28: Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN), Lobo (ABS-CBN), Palos (ABS-CBN) February 11: Joaquin Bordado (GMA) April 21: The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) August 14: Rakista (TV5) Finales January 11: Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal (ABS-CBN) January 25: Lastikman (ABS-CBN) February 8: Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan (GMA) February 29: Sine Novela: My Only Love (GMA) March 28: Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik (ABS-CBN) March 29: Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5? (GMA) April 19: 1 vs. 100 (ABS-CBN) April 25: Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN), Palos (ABS-CBN), Kamandag (GMA) June 27: Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (GMA) October 11: Ako Si Kim Samsoon (GMA) October 17: Diyesebel (GMA) November 14: Codename: Asero (GMA)

Film

• January 1: 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival
  • Anak ng Kumander (MP Productions)
  • Banal (ComGuild Production)
  • Desperadas (Regal Films)
• January 9: Retaso (Grupong Sinehan)
• January 16: Sikil (Journey Films)
• February 13: My Bestfriend's Girlfriend (GMA Films)
• February 27: My Big Love (Star Cinema)

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 1952)
• 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 21: Roger Mercado, 69, adoptive father and uncle of Jennylyn Mercado (born 1939)
• 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)
• December 31: Rosendo delas Alas, 88, father of comedienne Ai-Ai de las Alas (born 1920)

References