1999 in the Philippines

none 1999 1999 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1999. Incumbents center center Josephestradapentagon (cropped).jpg President Joseph Estrada Joseph E.Estrada 108 Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (cropped2).jpg Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Gloria MacapagalM. Arroyo 116 Blas Ople (cropped).jpg Senate President Blas F. Ople Blas F.Ople 104 Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Manny Villar (2006) (cropped).jpg House Speaker Manny B. Villar Manny B.Villar Jr. 113 Scphil999jf (cropped).JPG Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Hilario G.Davide Jr. 120 President: Joseph Estrada (LAMMP) Vice President: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas) Senate President: Marcelo Fernan (until June 28) Blas Ople (starting June 29) House Speaker: Manuel Villar Chief Justice: Hilario Davide Jr. Philippine Congress: 11th Congress of the Philippines Events January January – Diplomatic relations between Palau and the Philippines reach an all-time low with Palau President Kuniwo Nakamura threatening to sever diplomatic ties between his country and the Philippines over repeated crossing of Filipino fishers into Palau's EEZ.OVER SEAS - The Online Magazine for Sustainable Seas. Oneocean.org. Retrieved on 2013-09-01.Palau Country Review 2013 CountryWatch Incorporated 48 http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/87832541 January 6 – A giant wave hits the wharf of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, causing damages to properties and reported deaths of 18 people."Giant wave kills 18 in Tawi-Tawi"August 2026 InternetArchiveBot PHNO. 01-10-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. January 19 – During a fluvial procession in Lumban, Laguna, a float hits an electric cable which later falls, causing devotees aboard to get either electrocuted or drowned as they jump into the river; 13 are confirmed dead, others are reported missing."Laguna tragedy: 13 dead in fluvial procession accident" https://web.archive.org/web/20250125033543/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/01/hl/hl011120.htm 2025-01-25 PHNO. 01-20-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022."Philippines: 13 people killed in boating accident" AP Archive. 01-19-1999. Retrieved 03-30-2022. January 20 – A passenger bus falls into a ravine after overshooting a sharp curve on Naguilian Road in Sablan, Benguet, killing 22 people."Baguio minibus falls into ravine, 22 killed" https://web.archive.org/web/20250223154953/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/01/hl/hl011126.htm 2025-02-23 PHNO. 01-22-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022."Philippines Bus Accident Kills 22" AP News. 01-21-1999."Philippines bus crash kills 22" BBC News. 01-21-1999."Evangelista: P-Noy orders probe of Sablan killer bus mishap" SunStar. 08-21-2010.For the timelines of related accidents:(Opinion) "Kakila-kilabot na bus accident" (in Tagalog) Philstar.com. 08-21-2010.(Opinion) "Life and death" Inquirer.net. 11-01-2011. (Note that this article mistakenly reported that the accident in Benguet occurred on "June 20, 1999".) All were retrieved 03-17-2022. February February 5 – Rape convict Leo Echegaray is executed by lethal injection at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa; becoming the first Filipino to be meted the sentence since the country's last public execution in 1976 and the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1993; also first execution by that method. Prior to this, on Jan. 19, the Supreme Court lifted the Temporary Restraining Order issued on Jan. 4, the day of his supposed execution, as the representatives submit to them their resolution, which has passed the same day, favoring the Death Penalty Law (Republic Act 7659).For the events prior to the execution:"Echegaray's last hope: Supreme Court special session tomorrow"August 2026 InternetArchiveBot 01-03-1999."Echegaray execution stopped by Supreme Court"August 2026 InternetArchiveBot 01-04-1999."Congress majority favors death penalty" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219042006/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/01/hl/hl011115.htm 2025-12-19 01-19-1999."Death penalty: Supreme Court decides today" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219041515/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/01/hl/hl011117.htm 2025-12-19 01-19-1999."Supreme Court lifts Echegaray TRO" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219041457/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/01/hl/hl011118.htm 2025-12-19 01-19-1999."Execute Echegaray now -- Erap" 01-20-1999."Echegaray execution: 3 PM, Feb. 5" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219214606/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/01/hl/hl011129.htm 2025-12-19 01-23-1999.For the execution of Echegaray:"Palace-death chamber hotline disconnected" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219044929/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/02/hl/hl011154.htm 2025-12-19 02-05-1999."Leo Echegaray pronounced dead at 3:19 PM" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219044936/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/02/hl/hl011155.htm 2025-12-19 02-05-1999.All articles are from Philippine Headline News Online (PHNO); retrieved 03-16-2022.For the events prior to the execution:"Rapist wins court stay on death penalty" The Irish Times. 01-05-1999."The Death Penalty Dilemma" Asiaweek. Jan. 1999."Philippines: Further information on imminent execution: Leo Echegaray" (PDF) Amnesty International. 01-22-1999.For the execution of Echegaray:"Philippines executes first prisoner in 23 years" CNN. 02-05-1999. Retrieved 04-12-2021."Rapist executed by lethal injection in Manila" The Irish Times. 02-06-1999."Philippines Executes Child Rapist" AP News. 02-05-1999."Filipino executed" Wired. 02-05-1999."Rapist dies as Manila brings back execution" The Guardian. 02-06-1999.For the details of the case:"G.R. No. 132601" Supreme Court E-Library. 10-12-1998.(Opinion) "A Heinous crime: The Leo Echegaray story" Daily Guardian. 08-11-2020.Event is also mentioned in the article:"In the know: Death penalty" Inquirer.net. 05-17-2016. Retrieved 04-12-2021."The death penalty debate: Comedic episode, studies show risks" Inquirer.net. 07-26-2019.Videos:"Philippines: Child rapist Echegaray executed" (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part V) AP Archive."Philippines: Convicted child rapist Leo Echegaray is set to be executed by lethal injection, the first execution in Philippines in 23 years" Reuters."Philippines: Executed child rapist Leo Echegaray buried in the Philippines" Reuters.Unless otherwise stated, all were retrieved 03-30-2022."#Journeyto30" by Epi Fabonan III, Philstar.com: (1999) "Crime and punishment" April 30, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2018. March March 14 – Electorates of the municipality of Ilagan, in the province of Isabela turn down the cityhood law under the Republic Act 8474 which seeks to convert the town into a component city.February 2, 1998 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8474 - AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF ILAGAN INTO A COMPONENT CITY OF THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF ILAGAN https://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno8474.html live October 21, 2021 ChanRobles Law Firm https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181241/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno8474.html 2007-09-30 April April 15 – A bomb explosion in Batan Island, Rapu-Rapu, Albay reportedly kills at least 13 and injured more than 70 others."Albay fiesta dance bombed, 13 dead" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219040859/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/04/hl/hl011279.htm 2025-12-19 PHNO. 04-16-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. May May 26 – Miriam Quiambao is proclaimed 1st runner-up in the Miss Universe 1999 pageant night was held in the Chaguaramas Convention Centre, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago. May 27 – New Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States is ratified by the Senate, returning American military presence in the country. May 29 – The Manhunt International World Finals (1999) was held in Manila, Philippines. About 43 participants competed in this edition. June June 22 – Mayon Volcano in Albay suddenly and shortly erupts, emitting ash as high as 7 to 10 kilometers; ashfalls are reported in Camalig; there are no casualties."Mayon's 'perfect cone' explodes once more"August 2026 InternetArchiveBot PHNO. 06-23-1999."Mayon Volcano erupts, residents flee" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219041458/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/06/hl/hl011402.htm 2025-12-19 PHNO. 06-23-1999.All are retrieved 03-16-2022. August August 3 – At least 58 people die and hundreds of homes are buried in a massive landslide in Cherry Hills subdivision in Antipolo, Rizal, which has caused by the heavy rains brought by Typhoon Olga (Ising).http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ndrb/Cherry%20Hills%20Landslide.html Landslide on Cherry Hills Subdivision (August 02, 1999) 2000 Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Kidlat February 29, 2012 December 11, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081211182838/http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ndrb/Cherry%20Hills%20Landslide.html dead"Hundreds of Antipolo hillside homes collapse, scores dead" https://web.archive.org/web/20251221022703/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/08/hl/hl011481.htm 2025-12-21 PHNO. 08-04-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022."LIST: Deadly landslides in the Philippines" Rappler. 09-22-2018. Retrieved 03-30-2022. August 11 – A police officer and four others, all involved in the 1996 murder of former MISG chief and former Ilocos Norte Gov. Rolando Abadilla, are convicted by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, another two are acquitted. In 2008, the Court of Appeals would reduce the death sentence, originally given to them, to reclusión perpetua; the Supreme Court would affirm the verdict in 2010."Death for killers of Ilocos Norte governor"August 2026 InternetArchiveBot PHNO. 08-12-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022."TIMELINE: Abadilla 5" Inquirer.net. 09-07-2016."Philippines: Lenido Lumanog's lasting legal legacy" Asian Human Rights Commission. 10-09-2016.All were retrieved 04-04-2022."Appendix: Case analysis: Supreme Court's rulings on Vizconde and Abadilla cases are contradictory" Asian Human Rights Commission. Dec. 21, 2010. Retrieved Oct. 8, 2021. Mid-August to early September – Sixty-eight residents mysteriously died in Clark, Pampanga. In October, a task force reported that the deaths were caused by tons of toxic waste abandoned in the former US air base."Probe 68 Clark deaths from toxic waste -- Osmena" https://web.archive.org/web/20220316193937/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/09/ht/ht000902.htm 2022-03-16 PHNO. 09-18-1999."Clark toxic waste death toll now 68" https://web.archive.org/web/20250412204118/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/10/ht/ht000927.htm 2025-04-12 PHNO. 10-11-1999.All are retrieved 03-16-2022. August 20 – Former president Corazon Aquino and Cardinal Jaime Sin lead a rally on Ayala Avenue in Makati against the Constitutional Correction for Development, President Estrada's version of charter change.February 29, 2008 Past major rallies vs. charter change https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/content/82834/past-major-rallies-vs-charter-change/story/ GMA News July 4, 2026 August 26 – An armed encounter between the Philippine Army soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan kills at least 47 guerillas."47 MILF rebels, 2 soldiers dead in Basilan clash" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219064641/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/08/hl/hl011533.htm 2025-12-19 PHNO. 08-28-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. September September 15 – A landslide, triggered by heavy rains, buries a van with 18 people on board along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, killing 17 of them."Kennon landlide buries van; 17 dead" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219050448/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/09/ht/ht000900.htm 2025-12-19 PHNO. 09-16-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. September 16 – The Supreme Court grants a petition declaring Republic Act 8528 unconstitutional which amended certain sections of Republic Act 7720, citing lack of plebiscite. Thus, the component city of Santiago in the province of Isabela is reverted to an independent component city."G.R. No. 133064" https://web.archive.org/web/20220921235146/https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1999/oct1999/gr_133064_1999.html 2022-09-21 The LawPhil Project. September 16, 1999. Retrieved July 30, 2022.Event occurred Sept. 16 based on court records. At least another source states the date as late as Dec. 29; however, this information conflicts with the former."Historical development of the Province of Isabela" (PDF) Province of Isabela. Retrieved July 27, 2022. October October 23 – A plebiscite creating the city of Novaliches is held but the proposal is turned down by the electorate.Samonte Severino September 12, 2020 Rise in number of PH cities from 60 in 1987 to 146 in 2020 traced Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115219 October 22, 2021 October 31 – An overloaded jeepney plunges into the ravine in Itogon, Benguet, killing 21 passengers out of 34 people on board."Overloaded jeepney falls into Benguet ravine, 21 dead" https://web.archive.org/web/20220316192938/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/11/hl/hl011691.htm 2022-03-16 PHNO. 11-02-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. November November 4 – A bus falls into a ravine in Atok, Benguet, killing at least 19 people."Another Benguet bus tragedy ravine kills 19" PHNO. 11-05-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. November 18 – At least 32 die in separate clashes between MILF rebels and government troops in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, a day after their declaration of a ceasefire."Ceasefire violations: 32 killed in Mindanao clashes" https://web.archive.org/web/20251219045703/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/11/ht/ht000968.htm 2025-12-19 PHNO. 11-19-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. November 27–28 – ASEAN Informal Summit meeting is held in Manila."1999 ASEAN Summit in Manila this week"August 2026 InternetArchiveBot PHNO. 11-23-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022.3rd Informal Summit, Manila, 27-28 November 1999 https://asean.org/speechandstatement/3rd-informal-summit-manila-27-28-november-1999/ asean.org ASEAN Secretariat 18 March 2022 December December 7 – Asian Spirit Flight 100 is crashed onto a mountainside between the municipalities of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya and Cabarroguis, Quirino, 17 passengers were killed. December 10–11 – A massive power failure hits the entire Luzon overnight, caused by an invasion of an estimated 50 tons of giant jellyfish in a generating plant in Sual, Pangasinan."Jellyfish blamed for Philippines blackout" BBC News. 12-11-1999."Giant Pangasinan jellyfish caused Luzon blackout" https://web.archive.org/web/20250822235649/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/12/ht/ht000992.htm 2025-08-22 PHNO. 12-12-1999."Up from the Ocean: Manila hopes to cut power bills with deregulation - and offshore gas" Asiaweek issue of 12-24-1999."Fifty truckloads of jellyfish reveal a jittery political atmosphere in the Philippines" World Socialist Web Site. 01-07-2000.Event is also cited in the articles:"Power breakdown hits Luzon, Metro Manila Due to tripping of NPC lines" Greenspun.com. 10-21-2000."Napocor: Full power restored" PHNO. 10-22-2000."No sabotage, but what caused blackout?" Philstar.com. 11-06-2001.All were retrieved 03-17-2022. December 12 – A magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits parts of Luzon, with the epicenter located near Lingayen, Pangasinan; reportedly killing 6 people."Philippines - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 2" ReliefWeb. 12-13-1999. Retrieved 03-17-2022. December 15 – The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3) is opened to the public with operations running along a 16.9-kilometer route from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. December 18: Malolos becomes a component city in the province of Bulacan through ratification of Republic Act 8754. Tuguegarao becomes a component city in the province of Cagayan through ratification of Republic Act 8755.City Profile https://tuguegaraocity.gov.ph/city-profile/153 live February 16, 2022 Tuguegarao City Government https://web.archive.org/web/20220215180628/https://tuguegaraocity.gov.ph/city-profile/153 2022-02-15 "This Week's Milestones" Inquirer.net.(From 12-18-2016 to 12-24-2016) Retrieved January 31, 2018.(From 12-16-2018 to 12-22-2018) Retrieved January 15, 2019. Holidays Public holidays in the Philippines As per Executive Order No. 292, chapter 7 section 26, the following are regular holidays and special days, approved on July 25, 1987.July 25, 1987 Executive Order No. 292 [BOOK I/Chapter 7-Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days] https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1987/07/25/executive-order-no-292-book-ichapter-7-regular-holidays-and-nationwide-special-days/ live February 22, 2022 Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines https://web.archive.org/web/20170903160004/http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph:80/1987/07/25/executive-order-no-292-book-ichapter-7-regular-holidays-and-nationwide-special-days/ 2017-09-03 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 April 1 – Maundy Thursday April 2 – Good Friday April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) May 1 – Labor Day June 12 – Independence Day August 29 – National Heroes Day November 1 – All Saints Day 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." Television 1999 in Philippine television Sports January 21 – Dr J Ana Water Dispenser captured the 1999 2nd Yakult PBL Centennial Cup crown, becoming the 1st title to win the tournament, defeating Tanduay Gold Rhum Masters, three games to two. June 6 – Formula Shell Zoom Masters captured the 1999 PBA All-Filipino Cup crown, becoming the 10th team to win the league's most prestigious tournament, defeating Tanduay Rhum Masters, four games to two, for their fourth championship and repeated as back-to-back champions. July 1 – The Welcoat House Paints were crowned the 1999 Yakult-PBL Challenge Cup champions after clinching an 80–74 victory over the Red Bull energy Drink in a Game 4 for the title at the Makati Coliseum August 7–15 – The Philippines participated at the 20th Southeast Asian Games were held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. It ranked fifth place, with an overall medal tally of 87.Results of the 1999 Southeast Asian Games https://web.archive.org/web/20120226022737/http://www.olympic.ph/pdf/SEAGamesMedallists.pdf 2012-02-26 September 15 – The San Miguel Beermen won their 12th Straight PBA title defeated the Formula Shell Zoom Masters The Beermen wins two straight title-winning runs and won their first championship in five years. October 7 - The DLSU Green Archers defeated the UST Growling Tigers for the championship of the 62nd season of UAAP. October 31–November 6 – Cebu City hosted the 1999 IPSC Handgun World Shoot XII. November 7–21 – The Iloilo and Bacolod Hosting the 1999 AFC Women's Championship was held from 7 to 21 November 1999 in the Philippines. December 8 – The Manila Metrostars rout the Cebu Gems, 101–83 in Game Six, before a hometown crowd at the Mail & More Sports Complex in San Andres and crowned themselves the 1999 MBA national champions. December 12 – The San Miguel Beermen captured their second straight title of the season with a 4–2 series victory over Alaska Milkmen. The Beermen won their 13th PBA crown and are now the winningest ballclub, tied with the famed Crispa Redmanizers for most titles. Births January 8 – Kelvin Miranda, actor January 12 – Niel Murillo, member of BoybandPH January 25 – Ysabel Ortega, actress February 16 – Sofia Wunsch, football player March 20 – Eya Laure, volleyball player April 1 – Jairus Aquino, actor April 3 – Emman Nimedez, vlogger and online sensation (d. 2020) April 5 – Sharlene San Pedro, actress April 20 – Celine Domingo, volleyball player April 21 – Loisa Andalio, actress and dancer May 1 – Kisses Delavin, actress and beauty queen May 14 – Francis Magundayao, Filipino actor August 23 – Herlene Budol, actress September 18 – Jeremy Glinoga, actor and singer October 5 – Pauline Mendoza, actress and model October 8 – Sophia Senoron, actress and beauty queen October 13 – Yong Muhajil, actor October 14 – Chelsea Manalo, beauty queen October 23 – Joseph Andre Garcia, actor October 30 – Jessika Cowart, football player November 8 – Jennifer Nierva, volleyball player November 25 – Heaven Peralejo, actress November 27 – Maki, singer-songwriter December 5 – Julia Buencamino, actress (d. 2015) December 16 – Anicka Castañeda, football player December 20 – Migo Adecer, actor and singer Deaths February 5 – Leo Echegaray, rape convict. (b. 1960) May 16 – Eva Macapagal, Ninth First Lady of the Philippines (b. 1915) May 20 – Carlos Quirino, Filipino biographer and historian (b. 1910) June 28 – Eugenio Lopez, Jr., businessman, head of the Lopez Group of Companies. (b. 1928)"Geny Lopez dies of cancer at 70" PHNO. 06-30-1999. Retrieved 03-16-2022. July 11 – Marcelo Fernan, Lawyer (b. 1927) July 25 – Raul Manglapus, Filipino Senator (b. 1918) September 15 – Renato Constantino, Filipino historian (b. 1919) November 28 – N.V.M. Gonzalez, Filipino writer (b. 1915) December 24 – Antonio V. Raquiza, Filipino politician and lawyer (b. 1908) December 31 – Conrado Balweg, former priest and known communist leader in the Cordillera. (b. 1942)"Cordillera rebel-priest Balweg killed by own brother" https://web.archive.org/web/20220823114612/http://www.newsflash.org/2000/01/hl/hl011793.htm 2022-08-23 PHNO. 01-01-2000. Retrieved 07-31-2019."Cordillera church officials wanted for Balweg slay" PHNO. 04-02-2000. Retrieved 03-16-2022.Alcantara, Nathan. (Jan. 2, 2000) "Balweg knew he was going to die." Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. 12. Retrieved July 31, 2019. Notes References 1999 in Category:1999 in Southeast Asia Philippines Category:1990s in the Philippines Category:Years of the 20th century in the Philippines