2008 in the Philippines

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

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 2008 in the Philippines

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Decades:
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • 2000s
  • 2010s
  • 2020s
See also:

Incumbents

Events

January

February

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 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.[14]

April

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.[19]

June
  • June 8–19 – Ces Oreña-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.[20]

August

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.[22] The panel is also reviewing reports of the Philippine National Police and the Napolcom.[23]

Tropical Storms 2008
  • May 14–23 – Severe Tropical Storm Halong, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Cosme, was the fourth severe tropical storm named by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) who are the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center also recognised Halong as the fifth tropical depression, the fourth tropical storm as well as the third typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season.
  • June 17–27 – Typhoon Fengshen, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Frank, was the sixth named storm and the fourth typhoon recognised by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center recognised Fengshen as the seventh tropical depression, the sixth tropical storm, and fifth typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season. Fengshen made a direct hit on the Philippines and China, causing severe damage and resulted in at least 1,371 deaths and leaving 87 people missing. Most of the deaths occurred in the Philippines, including 846 of the 922 people on board the Princess of the Stars who were killed when the ship capsized.

National holidays

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

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

Sports

Entertainment and culture
For the events related to Philippine television in 2008, see 2008 in Philippine television; for films, see List of Philippine films of the 2000s.

Concerts

Births

Deaths

References
  1. Until 4 February 2008
  2. Beginning 5 February 2008
  3. Augusto B. Santos (31 January 2008). "STATEMENT OF SECRETARY AUGUSTO B. SANTOS ON THE RELEASE OF THE FY 2007 NATIONAL INCOME ACCOUNTS - 31 JANUARY 2008". National Economic and Development Authority. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  4. Cheryl Arcibal (2008-01-31). "Economy soars 7.3% in '07, fastest growth in 31 years". GMA News. GMA Network. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. Maila Ager (5 February 2008). "Nograles is new House Speaker". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 7 February 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  6. "De Venecia declares 'war' against Arroyo". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2008-02-04. Archived from the original on 7 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
  7. Efren Danao; Agence France-Presse (2008-02-09). "Bribes the 'norm' in system: Lozada confirms P200-M bribe to Neri". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on 2008-02-11. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  8. Veronica Uy (8 February 2008). "Lozada links First Gentleman, Abalos to NBN deal". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
  9. Jay B. Rempillo (2008-02-15). "SC Nullifies Government Warning Against Airing of 'Hello Garci' Tapes". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  10. Maila Ager (6 March 2008). "Solons seek probe of Spratlys deal with China". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  11. Alcuin Papa; Tarra Quismundo (14 March 2008). "US, Australian agents to grill 3 suspected terrorists". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 20 March 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  12. "Imelda Marcos Acquitted, Again". New York Times. 2008-03-11. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  13. Pete Yost, Associated Press (2008-03-17). "Victims Battle Over Marcos' Money". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  14. Rey E. Requejo; Fel V. Maragay; Joyce Pangco Pañares (2008-03-26). "High court upholds Palace position on Senate hearings". Manila Standard Today. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  15. Jim Gomez, Associated Press (2008-04-01). "Philippines: No Kidneys for Foreigners?". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  16. Christine Avendaño (8 April 2008). "Rice import quotas lifted". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  17. "Philippines Police Seize Bomb Materials". New York Times. Associated Press. 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  18. Carlos H. Conde (2008-04-09). "9 Officers Sentenced in Philippine Coup Plot". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  19. Patricia De Leon (2008-05-27). "Lopez family retains control of Meralco after 13-hour meeting". GMA News. GMA Network. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  20. "Philippine ferry carrying over 800 sinking in storm: officials". Yahoo! News. 2008-06-22. Archived from the original on 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  21. Arguillas, C. (2008), SC affirms Oct. 14 ruling on "unconstitutional" MOA-AD, Mindanews
  22. "House to probe 'euro generals' scandal, too". ABS-CBN News. 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  23. Martin, Sammy (2008-11-14). "House to push probe on 'euro generals'". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  24. "Pacquiao takes WBC title from Marquez". GMA News. 2008-03-16. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  25. "Pacquiao KOs Diaz in 9th round for 4th world title". GMA News. 2008-06-29. Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
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