2003 in the Philippines explained

2003 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 2003.

Incumbents

• President – Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas-CMD)
• Vice President – Teofisto Guingona (Independent)
• Senate President – Franklin Drilon
• House Speaker – Jose de Venecia
• Chief Justice – Hilario Davide, Jr.
• Philippine Congress – 12th Congress of the Philippines

Events

January

• January 22–26 – 4th World Meeting of Families is held at the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park, Manila.

February

• February 13 – The Overseas Absentee Voting Act is passed into law providing a system of voting for overseas Filipinos.

March

• March 1 - As a result of the implementation of Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) law or Republic Act 9136 one year and nine months earlier on June 8, 2001, National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR/NPC) took over the operations, maintenance, management, and ownership of the Philippine power grid and its related assets and facilities to another government-owned corporation National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) which officially started TransCo to own, operate, maintain, and manage the grid.
• March 4 – A bomb explodes outside the terminal of the Davao International Airport, killing 22 and injuring 143. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) claims responsibility for the attack. Several alleged members of the ASG and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front would be arrested in April for their involvement.^{[1] [2]}
• March 31 - In the early morning, an ambush took place in Vigan City, killing 4 people. Radio broadcaster and former Ilocos Norte board member Efren Rafanan Sr. survived the ambush, along with his daughter. Rafanan's wife Evelyn, his son Raffy Brian, and his brother Dennis were laid to rest 9 days later, alongside the family's security aide Elgin de Ocampo.^{[3] [4]}

April

• April 2 – Another bomb explosion in Davao City hits the Sasa Wharf, killing 17 people and wounding 56. Several alleged Islamic militants would be later arrested for their involvement.

May

• May 10 – A bombing at the city market in Koronadal, South Cotabato, kills at least 10 people and injures 42; victims are mostly rickshaw drivers and their passengers. Suspected Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah members are among those would be later arrested in connection with the attacks in the city.
• May 26 – The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 is passed into law. The Philippines becomes one of the first Asian nations to pass anti-trafficking legislation.

June

• June 23 - A tough new law regulating the sale and use of tobacco products, including the phaseout of all tobacco advertising in five years and a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places, including schools.

July

• July 15 – The Supreme Court, reinstating the Sandiganbayan ruling in 2000 and setting aside its reversal in 2002, orders the forfeiture in favor of the government of ₱36 billion (US$676 million, year-end 2002) in Swiss bank deposits which are declared part of the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family, in what would be the single largest recovery of such wealth. The family will file motions for reconsideration in August but would be denied with finality three months later.^[5]
• July 27 – A group of soldiers calling themselves the Bagong Katipuneros launches a mutiny in Oakwood against then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo citing alleged corruption of Arroyo's administration and claimed that Arroyo was about to declare martial law.

Holidays

See main article: Public holidays in the Philippines. On November 13, 2002, Republic Act No. 9177 declares Eidul Fitr as a regular holiday.^[6] The EDSA Revolution Anniversary was proclaimed since 2002 as a special non-working holiday.^[7] Note that in the list, holidays in bold are "regular holidays" and those in italics are "nationwide special days".

• January 1 – New Year's Day
• February 25 – EDSA Revolution Anniversary
• April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day)
• April 17 – Maundy Thursday
• April 18 – Good Friday
• May 1 – Labor Day
• June 12 – Independence Day
• August 31 – National Heroes Day
• November 1 – All Saints Day
• November 25 – Eidul Fitr
• November 30 – Bonifacio Day
• December 25 – Christmas Day
• December 30 – Rizal Day
• December 31 – Last Day of the Year

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

Concerts

• September 13 – The Event with F4 and Barbie Hsu live at the PhilSports Complex, Pasig
• November 16 – Mariah Carey live at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field, Taguig
• December 26 – F4 live at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field, Taguig

Television

See main article: 2003 in Philippine television.

Sports

• July 13 – The Talk 'N Text Phone Pals wins their first-ever PBA title in 13 years, winning four straight over the defending champions Coca Cola Tigers in a 4–2 series victory.
• August 23 – Alaska Aces wins their PBA Invitational Championship title with a 2–1 series victory over the Coca-Cola Tigers.
• December 14 – After two runner-up finishes in the first two conferences, the Coca Cola Tigers won their 2nd PBA title with a 4–3 series victory over San Miguel Beermen.
• December 5–13 – The Philippines participated at the 22nd Southeast Asian Games were held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Births

• February 5 – Michael Sager, actor and model
• February 14 – Zephanie Dimaranan, singer

• March 12 – Andrea Brillantes, actress, model, commercial endorser

• June 1 – Jayda Avanzado, actress and singer

• June 20 - Kyle Echarri, actor and singer
• June 25 – Angel Canino, volleyball player

• August 16 – Harvey Bautista, actor
• September 13 – Ashley Del Mundo, actress

• October 12 – Kobie Brown, actor
• October 13 – Ar Angel Aviles, actress
• October 22 – Lie Reposposa, singer, actress and housemate

• November 23 – Allen Ansay, actor and basketball player

• December 27 – Louise Abuel, actor, commercial model

Deaths

• March 23 – Amado Cortez, former actor and diplomat (b. 1928)
• March 31 – Eddie Arenas, actor (b. 1935)
• April 9 – Rod Navarro, former TV host, actor, and radio commentator (b. 1936)

• June 19 – Rafael Ileto, former Defense secretary (b. 1920)
• June 24 – Rene Cayetano, former Senator and father of Senator Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano (b. 1934)
• July 2 – Antonio Fortich, Catholic bishop and social activist (b. 1913)
• July 4 – Manuel Araneta, Jr., basketball player (b. 1926)
• July 6 – Jose C. Abriol, Catholic priest, monsignor, and Bible translator (b. 1918)
• July 18 – César Ramírez, former actor and father of Ace Vergel (b. 1929)
• July 19 – Vic Vargas, former actor (b. 1939)

• July 27 – Emmanuel Pelaez, former Vice-President of the Philippines (b. 1915)
• September 10 – Tata Esteban, 48, former film director (b. 1954)
• September 26 – Inday Badiday, host and journalist who was known as Philippine television's "queen of showbiz talk shows" and "queen of intrigues" (b. 1944)

• November 14 – Carding Castro, former singer-comedian and singing comic duo Reycard Duet (b. 1935)
• November 16 – Catalino Macaraig, Jr., politician (b. 1927)

• November 20 – Pedro Yap, former Chief Justice (b. 1918)

• December 14 – Blas Ople, former Senator and former Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs (b. 1927)
• December 29 – Miko Sotto, former young actor and son of actress and radio host Ali Sotto (b. 1982)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lives Destroyed: Attacks on Civilians in the Philippines — Case Studies . July 2007 . . July 13, 2024.
2. News: March 4, 2003 . Bomb Kills 21, Including an American, at Philippines Airport . . . March 4, 2003.
3. http://totocausing.blogspot.com/2012/04/day-hope-for-justice-died-in-ilocos-sur.html totocausing.blogspot.com March 31, 2003. Retrieved August 16, 2023
4. News: Molina, Dumlao . 4 Vigan ambush victims laid to rest . September 10, 2023 . PhilStar Global.
5. Citations on Supreme Court decision on the Marcoses:
   • News: Clapano . Jose Rodel . January 17, 2003 . Marcos wealth in escrow now $676-M . . July 19, 2023.
   • Web site: G.R. No. 152154 . July 15, 2003 . University of Minnesota Human Rights Library . . July 19, 2023.
   • Web site: G.R. No. 152154 . November 18, 2003 . The LawPhil Project . Arellano Law Foundation . July 19, 2023.
   • News: Carranza . Ruben . July 12, 2023 . Opinion: Why we need to remember SC verdict on Marcoses' ill-gotten wealth . . July 13, 2023.
6. Web site: November 13, 2002. AN ACT DECLARING THE FIRST DAY OF SHAWWAL, THE TENTH MONTH OF THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR, A NATIONAL HOLIDAY FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF EIDUL FITR, AND THE TENTH DAY OF ZHUL HIJJA, THE TWELFTH MONTH OF THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR, A REGIONAL HOLIDAY IN THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (ARMM) FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF EIDUL ADHA, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 26, CHAPTER 7 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. live. February 22, 2022. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001023309/http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph:80/2002/11/13/republic-act-no-9177/ . October 1, 2017 .
7. Web site: Vega. Kristoffer Vincenzo. February 25, 2021. The EDSA People Power Revolution: Why do we celebrate it as a Holiday?. live. February 22, 2022. sprout.ph Blog. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226130655/https://sprout.ph/blog/edsa-people-power-revolution/ . February 26, 2021 .