2006 in the Philippines
| Years in the Philippines: | 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 |
| Centuries: | 20th Century · 21st century · 22nd century |
| Decades: | 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s |
| Years: | 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 |
Contents |
Incumbents
- President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
- Vice President: Noli de Castro
- Senate President: Manuel Villar
- House Speaker: Jose de Venecia
- Chief Justice: Artemio Panganiban
Events
January
- January 21: Boxer Manny Pacquiao defeated Mexican Erik Morales in a tenth-round technical knockout at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas. The victory caused jubilation in the country wracked by poverty and political instability.
- January 27: Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, who escaped from the Philippine Army headquarters on December 14, was recaptured by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Faeldon and other junior officers of the AFP launched the Oakwood mutiny on July 27, 2003, where they demanded President Arroyo and then Defense secretary Angelo Reyes to resign.
February
- February 1: The Revised-Value Added Tax (R-VAT) was implemented, causing a hike in prices of consumer goods.
- February 4: A stampede occurred during the first anniversary of television program Wowowee at the PhilSports Complex, causing the deaths of 74 people and the wounding of about 400 others.
- February 14: Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Sun Cellular launch 3G in selected cities in the country.
- February 17: After heavy rains in the preceding ten days, a mudslide occurred on the town of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, killing fifty people, but with 958 people still missing the death toll is expected to rise dramatically..
- February 19: Red Bull Barako wins the Philippine Basketball Association 2005-06 Fiesta Conference after defeating the Purefoods Chunkee Giants in six games.
- February 24: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 11:25 am declared a state of emergency via Proclamation No. 1017 after a failed coup attempt and street protests commemorating the 20th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. The protesters converged at the EDSA Shrine led by Vice President Teofisto Guingona were dispersed right after the proclamation. The protesters at EDSA-Santolan led by Prof. Randy David were dispersed violently by the police. Several leftist and rightist leaders were arrested or were under the threat of arrest within the next seven days.
- February 24-25: The World Wrestling Entertainment RAW Live Tour made its stop at Araneta Coliseum, featuring matches for the WWE Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, and the WWE Women's Championship, among others. John Cena, Shelton Benjamin and Trish Stratus retained their title belts on the two-night event amidst an overflowing crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.
March
- March 3: The President declared the lifting of the state of emergency via Proclamation No. 1021.
- March 10: The Department of the Interior and Local Government orders barangays to conduct barangay assemblies for the adoption of a new constitution.
- March 22: Former President Joseph Estrada denied taking millions of dollars in bribes and gambling pay-offs as alleged by the prosecution's star witness Luis Chavit Singson on his plunder trial at the anti-graft court the Sandiganbayan.
- March 24: The Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Borbon Rosales was installed as Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony at Rome.
April
- April 1: Keanna Reeves wins Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition on its Big Night finale held at the Manila Central Post Office grounds.
- April 20: The Supreme Court declared that a part of Executive Order No. 464 as unconstitutional, thus paving way for the resumption of Congressional inquiries.
- April 25: The Supreme Court ruled that a part of the government policy of Calibrated Pre-Emptive Response as unconstitutional.
May
- May 3: The Supreme Court ruled that the Proclamation No. 1017 was constitutional, although a part of General Order No. 5 as unconstitutional.
- May 7: Gerald Santos wins Pinoy Pop Superstar on its Grand Showdown held at the Araneta Coliseum.
- May 11: Typhoon Caloy (international name: Super Typhoon Chanchu) made landfall on Samar. On the next day, it made landfall on Mindoro. Caloy caused the deaths of 41 and $1.9 million in damages.
- May 18: Mountaineer Leo Oracion reached the summit of Mount Everest via the Nepalese side, becoming the first Filipino to do so, although another mountaineer, Dale Abenojar claimed that he reached the summit first via the Tibetan side, on May 15th.
June
- June 2: Four U.S. Marines facing rape charges in the Philippines see their accuser in court for the first time as the formal trial begins in a case that was filed in December, stemming from an incident at a Subic Bay bar. The case has prompted protests and calls for the Visiting Forces Agreement to be amended or scrapped. (Reuters)
- June 3: The deaths of three Philippines soldiers by the communist New People's Army is confirmed. The ambush by NPA guerrillas took place on Wednesday in Balbalan, Kalinga. The NPA also says two more government soldiers were killed and four were wounded in another attack on Wednesday on an army outpost in Pinukpok town, but the government could not confirm this. (AFP)
- June 8: U.S. Navy investigators who looked into rape allegations against four marines in the Philippines are barred by the U.S. embassy from testifying in the trial of the four. The plaintiff's attorney characterised the move as a "clear attempt on the part of the US government, to keep us from getting the evidence that we need and from showing the court the truth." (AFP)
- June 13: A group calling itself Taong Bayan at Kawal, or Masses and Soldiers, claims for an early-morning bomb blast at a police headquarters in Manila, as well as earlier blasts at Manila office building on June 6, an explosion outside the home of an ally of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last week and two simultaneous bomb blasts in police stations on June 11. The group denies it was behind a bombing in Lipa City that injured nine people on June 11. (AFP)
- June 19:
- 900 villagers are evacuated as Mount Bulusan spews ash at Sorsogon. (Manila Standard)
- The Philippine government announces strategies to end communist insurgency by the New People's Army, promising "dramatic results in two years" by boosting military spending and development budgets in poor areas. (Manila Standard)
- June 24:
- President Arroyo signed the repeal of the death penalty law, as stated in Republic Act No. 9346.
- Opening of the 82nd season of the NCAA hosted by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
- June 26:
- Released after four days in captivity in Nigeria, two kidnapped Filipino are expected to return to the Philippines within the week. (inq7.net)
- The opposition bloc files impeachment charges against President Arroyo.
July
- July 2: Manny Pacquiao wins a 12 round unanimous decision over Mexican Oscar Larios in front of his hometown fans at the Araneta Coliseum.
- July 8: Opening of the 69th season of the UAAP hosted by the University of the East.
- July 13: Tropical storm Florita (pictured, international codename: Bilis) slams into Batanes, causing the deaths of fourteen people.
- July 14: Mayon Volcano in Albay spews out lava and ash. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level from level 1 to level 3, prompting evacuations.
- July 21: The Purefoods Chunkee Giants defeated the Red Bull Barako at the Philippine Basketball Association 2006 Philippine Cup Finals, 4-2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
- July 24:
- Senator Manuel Villar is elected as the new Senate President, replacing Franklin Drilon at the resumption of the regular session of Congress.
- President Arroyo suspends classes in Metro Manila and other areas due to Typhoon Glenda (international codename: Kaemi).
- On her State of the Nation Address, President Arroyo proposed for the creation of 5 new super regions, pushed for constitutional change, among others.
August
- August 7: Mayon Volcano intensifies its volcanic activity, leading the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to raise the alert level from level 3 to level 4, which prompted mandatory evacuation procedures.
- August 16: The administration block at the Judicial Committee of the House of Representatives junks the last impeachment case against President Arroyo.
- August 19: A Junior League softball team from Bacolod City was beaten by a team from Naples, Florida, 8-0, at the Junior League World Series held at Kirkland, Washington
- August 24: The House of Representatives plenary junked the impeachment case against President Arroyo, voting 173-32.
- August 27: The pair of Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante defeated the American tandem of Rodney Morris and Earl Strickland to win the first World Cup of Pool.
- August 31: The petition of Sigaw ng Bayan group for a people's initiative for amendments in the constitution was trashed by the Commission on Elections on the basis that there was no enabling law.
September
- September 11: Efren Reyes wins the World 8-Ball Open Championship at Reno, Nevada, beating Rodney Morris, 8-6.
- September 22: San Beda College win the 82nd NCAA seniors' basketball tournament, beating the Philippine Christian University (PCU). San Sebastian College-Recoletos defeated the PCU High School to win the juniors' championship.
- September 27: President Arroyo suspends classes in affected areas, including Metro Manila as Typhoon Milenyo (international codename: Xangsane) approached the western coast of Luzon. (INQ7.net)
- September 28: Typhoon Milenyo causes widespread damage throughout Luzon, causing at least two deaths, destruction to property, suspension of classes and the Metrorail, closing down of government offices, suspension of trading at the Philippine Stock Exchange, the paralyzation of the South Luzon Expressway, cancellation of flights at the Manila International Airport and a Luzon-wide blackout. (INQ7.net)
October
- October 2: The University of Santo Tomas defeated the Ateneo de Manila University, 76-74, in overtime, at the deciding third game of the 69th UAAP men's basketball tournament. Their women's counterpart won the Women's championship while the Ateneo juniors team won the Juniors championship.
- October 10:
- Mayor Jose Catindig of Santa Rosa City, Laguna is suspended for six months by the Department of Interior and Local Government for alleged illegal transfer of two city hall employees, which led to tensions at the city hall. This comes after the suspension of Peewee Trinidad of Pasay City.(INQ7.net)
- At least six people were killed in a bombing at Makilala, Cotabato during the town fiesta. Earlier in the day, a blast wounded at least four people at Tacurong City. (BBC)
- October 11: A bomb exploded at Cotabato City, killing and hurting no one. North Cotabato officials blame the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as the perpetrators. (Reuters)
- October 17: Supporters of Mayor Jejomar Binay of Makati City barricade themselves at the front of city hall as the Department of Interior and Local Government hands out their suspension order against the Mayor, Vice Mayor and seven councilors. (INQ7.net)
- October 21:
- The WWE SmackDown! Survivor Series Tour makes it stop at the Araneta Coliseum. (ended October 22)
- A 5.2 magnitude earthquake hits central Philippines. The quake struck at 10:30 p.m. with its epicenter some 35 kilometers south of Boac, Marinduque. The temblor was felt at intensity 4 in the capital Manila. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- October 25: The Supreme Court, voting 8-7, junks the petition of the Sigaw ng Bayan (Shout of the People) group for a people's initiative in the constitution. (INQ7)
- October 29: Typhoon Paeng (international name Cimaron) makes landfall on Luzon at about 9:00 p.m., killing at least 13 people. (BBC)
- October 31: Voters in Maguindanao’s 29 municipalities have approved the creation of a new province to be composed of 10 towns, named Shariff Kabunsuan. It became the Philippines’ 80th province and the 6th in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
November
- November 4: Avelino Cruz resigns as Secretary of National Defense. (INQ7.net)
- November 11: Typhoon Queenie makes landfall in Casiguran, Aurora. The PAGASA weather bureau raised storm signals on much of northern Luzon. (ABS-CBN News)
- November 12: Pool player Ronato Alcano defeated Ralf Souquet in the 2006 Men's World 9-Ball Championship in Pasay City, 17 racks to 11.
- November 18: Boxer Manny Pacquiao knocked out Erik Morales at their boxing bout held at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas. (AP via Yahoo! Sports)
- November 29: The House of Representatives loosened it rules on amending the Constitution. (INQ7.net)
- November 29: Typhoon Reming intensifies as it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility; the government has suspended classes in affected areas for November 30. {INQ7.net)
Predicted and scheduled events
- December 2
- Tentative decision day to the Subic Rape Case.
- Plebiscite for Dinagat Island to secede itself from Surigao del Norte for the creation of a new province.
- December 11-13: ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Metro Cebu.
National holidays
The celebration of the holidays may be moved due to President Arroyo's "holiday economics" policy.
Holidays in italics are "special days", while those in regular type are "regular holidays".
- January 1: New Year's Day
- April 9: Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
- April 13: Maundy Thursday
- April 14: Good Friday
- May 1: Labor Day
- June 12: Independence Day
- August 27: National Heroes' Day
- October 24: Eid ul-Fitr
- November 1: All Saints' Day
- November 30: Bonifacio Day
- Holiday scheduled for December 1.
- December 25: Christmas
- December 30: Rizal Day
- December 31: New Years' Eve
In addition, several other places observe local holidays, such as the foundation of their town. These are also "special days."
Births
Deaths
- January 2: Cecilia Muñoz Palma, Supreme Court judge and Constitutional Commission president (b. 1914)
- January 29: Andrew Gonzalez, educator and linguist (b. 1940)
- September 14: Analiza "Hazel" Richeta, Arnel Guiao and Alberto Cabugayan, television journalists
- September 18: Eddie Mercado, television host (b. 1938)
- September 20: Jojo Lapus, newspaper journalist and television scriptwriter
- October 7: Dan Campilan, television journalist (b. 1980)
- November 3: Rafael Donato, educator and linguist (b. 1938)
- November 24: Maximo V. Soliven, newspaper journalist and publisher (b. 1933)
- November 30: Rafael Buenaventura, former governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (b. 1938)
Categories
2006 by country | Years in the Philippines