2015 in the Philippines

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2015 in the Philippinesdetails the important and significant events of note that happened in the
Philippines in the year 2015. International events that are connected, or concerned with the
Philippines are also included in this article.
The year has been designated by the Department of Tourismas Visit the Philippines Year.[1]
Contents
[hide]

1 Incumbents

2 Events
o

2.1 Ongoing

2.2 January

2.3 February

2.4 March

2.5 April

2.6 May

2.7 June

2.8 July

2.9 August

2.10 Unknown

3 Holidays

4 Business and economy

5 Health

6 Sports

7 Entertainment and culture

8 Deaths

9 See also

10 References

Incumbents[edit]
For the current incumbents of the Executive Cabinet under the current administration, see Cabinet
of the Philippines. For the current leaders in the Congress of the Philippines, see Senate of the
Philippines and the House of Representatives of the Philippines. For the complete list of the current
Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, see Current Justices of the Supreme Court of the
Philippines.
Benigno S.
Aquino III

Jejomar C.
Binay, Sr.

Franklin M.
Drilon

Feliciano R.
Belmonte, Jr.

Maria Lourdes
P.A. Sereno

President: Benigno S. Aquino III (Liberal)

Vice President: Jejomar C. Binay, Sr. (UNA)

Congress (16th):

Senate President: Franklin M. Drilon (Liberal)

House Speaker: Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. (Liberal)

Chief Justice: Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno

Events[edit]

Ongoing[edit]

December 2014-present The 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is

being hosted by the Philippinesorganizing a series of economic meetings in the country until
November. The event will be highlighted by the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting near the end
of the summit.[2][3]

January[edit]

January 2 Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed that an eight-year-old girl was a victim
of attempted rape inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) on New Year's Day. The incident was the
latest scandal the prison facility had faced since the raids last December 2014.[4]

January 6 Importer Lilia Cruz also known as Leah Cruz,Bureau of Plant Industry Director
Clarito Barron, and 119 other persons were charged by the National Bureau of Investigation of
direct bribery and violation of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act
at theOffice of the Ombudsman in connection with the allegedgarlic cartel last year.[5]

January 8 An inmate died and 19 were hurt after a grenade exploded in the maximum
security compound of theNBP.[6] This lead Bureau of Corrections order a lockdown of 14,500
prisoners in the compound on January 9, suspending their visitation rights. Gang leaders were
isolated from the rest of the prisoners.[7]

January 9 The Supreme Court has declared its decision on the unconstitutionality of
the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), popularly termed as the pork barrel funds,
final and executory. It can be remembered in November of the previous year, the said court held
that "PDAF and previous pork barrel funds violated the constitutional principle of separation of
powers in allowing lawmakers to wield, in varying gradations, non-oversight, post-enactment
authority in vital areas of budget execution."[8]

January 12 Sandiganbayan had found former Board of Nursing member Virginia DiodolaMadeja guilty of violating the Anti-Corrupt Practices Act and the PRC Modernization Act of 2000
and was sentenced to 7 years in prison for leaking questions in the June 2006 Nursing
Licensure Examinations. In addition to her imprisonment, she was also ordered to pay a fine of
100 thousand pesos and was barred from holding any public office.[9]

January 14 A bomb destroys a transmission tower inPagalungan leaving much of the

provinces of Maguindanaoand North Cotabato without power.[10]

Pope Francis' arrival ceremony at Villamor Airbase.

January 15-19 Pope Francis was in the country for a 5-day state and pastoral visit.[11] The
pope also visited the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in Leyte which were affected by the said
typhoon last November 2013.[12] This is the first papal visit the Philippines received in the 21st
century.[13]

January 21 The Supreme Court en banc dismissed several petitions regarding the
disqualification of ManilaMayor Joseph Estrada; 11 justices voted against the disqualification,
while 3 voted for it.[14]

January 23 An explosion occurred near the bus terminal in Barangay Guiwan, Zamboanga
City; 2 people were killed and 53 were injured. The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were tagged
behind the explosion after the failed jailbreak attempt of several ASG members in the prison. [15]

The 44 police officers who perished during the clash.

January 25 44 members of thePhilippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF)

were killed after a clash took place in Tukalinapao,Mamasapano, Maguindanaoagainst armed
fighters including those from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters. PNP-SAF's objective is to pursue Zulkifli Abdhiralso known as
Marwan and Basit Usman as part of Oplan Exodus and was successful in killing the former. The
deaths of the PNP-SAF officers ignited debate on the proposedBangsamoro Basic Law which
will be the foundation of a new autonomous entity called Bangsamoro.[16][17]

January 26 The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee citedMakati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Junjun
Binay and five others in contempt and are now facing arrest due to the alleged continued snub
of Binay and other Makati officials on an ongoing Senate probe.[18] 3 days later, Binay was
arrested and forced to appear in the Senate hearing but the detention was deferred leading to
his release.[19]

January 27 The Department of Justice rejected the appeal by United States Marine Lance
Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton to drop the murder charges against him over theDeath of
Jennifer Laude, a transwoman Filipina. The trial began on March 23.[20]

January 29 Despite of the incident in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, The Government of the

Philippines and theMILF signed a protocol for the decommissioning of rebel firearms in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia.[21]

January 31 Two Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots were killed after the PAF trainer
aircraft SF-260FH Number 1034crashed around 300 meters off the shoreline of Barangay
Bucana, Nasugbu, Batangas while attending their performance for the upcoming 70th

Anniversary of the liberation of Nasugbu from the Japanese Imperial Forces during World War II.
[22]

February[edit]

February 2 Former Commission on Elections ChairmanBenjamin Abalos was acquitted on

the 2007 electoral sabotage case by the Pasay Regional Trial Court.[23]

February 3 The Supreme Court affirms the unconstitutionality of the Disbursement

Acceleration Program on its new ruiling. Voting 13-0, the SC partially granted the government's
Motion for Reconsideration on the DAP. Projects and programs that not covered by the General
Approriations Act is valid and the authors may be liable. [24]

February 5 The Department of Foreign Affairs filed two protest notes questioning China for
ramming Filipino fishing boats and the collecting of giant clams over theScarborough
Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc).[25]

February 14 50 rebel members of the New People's Armyfigured in a failed attack and
shootout inside a police station in Mati, Davao Oriental. 4 soldiers and a NPA member were
killed.[26]

MV Princess of the Stars which had capsized on June 21, 2008 at the height of Typhoon Frank.

February 16 Maritime Industry Authority has formally cancelled the license ofSulpicio Lines,
now operating as Philippine SpanAsia Carrier, for carrying passengers in the sea due to the
sinking of MV Princess of the Stars in 2008.[27]

February 18 Masbate Governor Rizalina Lanete surrendered to the Philippine National

Police Criminal Investigation and Detention Group authorities after theSandiganbayan had
issued a warrant of arrest against her in connection with her participation in the PDAF scam.[28][29]

February 24 The Supreme Court had decided on the affirmity of dismissal of PMA
Cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia, last year due to honor code violations.[30]

February 25

Former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperativesparty-list Representative

Edgar Valdez surrendered to sheriff of Sandiganbayan. Valdez is facing one count of
plunder and seven counts of graft for allegedly receiving P57.78 million worth of kickbacks
from the PDAF scam.[31]

AFP declared its all-out offensive campaign against the MILF break away group,
the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.[32] On March 3, Maguindanao was placed under
the state of calamity due to the continuing battle between the military forces and the BIFF.
[33]
In an encounter happened on March 7, the AFP confirmed that 139 members including
commanders of the BIFF were killed, including a kin of BIFF founder Ameril Umbra Kato.
[34]
On March 30, The Armed Forces of the Philippines announced the termination of the allout offensive against the rebel group.[35]

February 28 A total of 26 people were killed among them were 2 soldiers and 24 members
of the Abu Sayyaf Group inPatikul, Sulu.[36]

March[edit]

March 1-3 The Third ASEAN Chief Justices' Meeting, led by Supreme Court Chief
Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and her counterparts from the ASEAN countries, was held
inBoracay Island, Aklan.[37]

Japanese battleship Musashi (1944). The wreck of the ship was found on March 4 in the Sibuyan Sea.

March 4 The wreck of the World War IIJapanese battleshipMusashi was found by Paul
Allen and his team in the Sibuyan Sea. Musashi was one of the two biggest Japanese
battleships ever built; it was attacked and sank by American aircraft on October 24, 1944 in
theBattle of Leyte Gulf.[38]

March 6

The Office of the Ombudsman's special panel of investigators filed complaints

against Vice President Binay, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, and 22 individuals, in connection
with the overpriced Makati City Hall II Parking Building. Ombudsman will start the
preliminary probe after the filing of the cases.[39] On March 11, TheOmbudsman was
suspended Makati Mayor Junjun Binayand other city officials for 6 months in connection with
this case. Binay has not followed the decision.[40] OnMarch 16, plunder and graft charges
were filed against Vice President Binay and Mayor Binay for the alleged overpricing of
the Makati City Hall Building II. The elder Binay was then city mayor and the younger Binay
a city councilor at the time of the construction.[41] On the same date, the Court of Appeals has
released a temporary restraining order for the preventive suspension of Mayor Binay.
[42]
On April 6, The Court of Appeals has indefinitely extended its halt order on the preventive
suspension of embattled Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay, as the appellate court issued a
writ of preliminary injunction in favor of the local chief executive. [43] On the other hand, Acting
Mayor Romulo Pea was ordered by the Department of Interior and Local Government to
step down and return from his previous post as Vice Mayor.[44]

The Department of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that 4 Filipino oil rig workers, along
with 5 other foreign nationalities, abducted in Central Libya after they were attacked by
heavily armed men.[45]

March 8 British human rights lawyer Amal Clooney filed a case for the continued detention
former President andPampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoagainst the
government before the UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, a body under the United
Nations Commission on Human Rights.[46]

March 9

DFA confirmed the execution of Joven Esteva, anOverseas Filipino Worker who was
charged of murder on the killing of his employer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2007.[47]

Sajid Ampatuan, the son of Andal Ampatuan Sr., has been ordered to be temporarily
released by a Quezon City court after he posted bail for an amount of P11.6 million; Sajid
was charged with murder in connection with the Maguindanao massacre on November 23,
2009 that had killed 57 people including 31 journalist.[48]

March 15 Justice for Islamic Movement founding chairman and former vice chairman of
the BIFF, Mohamad Ali Tambako and five others were arrested in General Santos City.[49]

March 17 The Philippines submitted its 3,000-page document containing additional

volumes of arguments, evidence and maps seeking to nullify Chinas sweeping claim over the
resource-rich South China Sea to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration.[50]

March 20 The Armed Forces of the Philippinestransported 17 suspected members of

the Abu Sayyaf Group from the Zamboanga City jail to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig
over security concerns raised by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.[51]

March 22 The first of three new C-295 medium lift aircraftunder the Philippine Air
Force Modernization Program arrived at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.[52]

March 25 Sandiganbayan had found former Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa

guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and sentenced to a prison term of 10
years in connection with the alleged misusing of P3,749,948.98 in public funds in 2007. [53]

March 26 President Aquino III has signed Republic Act No. 10656 into law that postpones
the Sangguniang Kabataan(SK) elections to October 2016.[54] This postponement was the fourth
time. On March 25, the Commission on Electionshad deferred the SK elections to April 25.
[55]
Previously, the election was supposedly to be held on October 28, 2013; it was again
postponed to February 21, 2015.[56][57]

April[edit]

April 6 Gemma Adana, the Municipality Mayor of Naga,Zamboanga Sibugay was abducted
by a heavily armed group in her house.[58]

April 7 Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay faced another graft complaint at the Office of the
Ombudsman after the formerMakati Cockpit Sports Arena operator Jose Orillaza had filed a

complaint against Binay and other city officials for giving a new operator the permit to run the
arena.[59]

April 9

Newly published satellite images show that China has been quickly reclaiming land
around Panganiban Reef within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, with several
dredgers in operation and seawalls built.[60]

The Sandiganbayan First Division has denied with finality the motions of Sen. Bong
Revilla, his chief of staff Richard Cambe and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napolesto post bail
for their plunder cases in connection with their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
[61]

On April 14, Janet Lim Napoles was found guilty for the serious illegal detention case.

April 14 In connection with the serious illegal detention case,Janet Lim Napoles, the
mastermind of the PDAF Scam, was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt and was sentenced
of reclusion perpetua.[62]

April 20

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has released the pictures of the continue
reclamation of China in theSouth China Sea.[63]

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters firedgrenade launchers on Philippine

National Police-Special Action Force and Philippine Army posts in Shariff Aguak and Datu
Hoffer Ampatuan towns in Maguindanao.[64]

The Sandiganbayan 4th Division had found Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali
Jr. and his predecessor, Rodolfo Valencia, guilty of graft and sentenced by the court to 6 to
10 years imprisonment and ordered to pay or reimburse the provincial government of P2.5

million in connection with the alleged anomalous loan transaction with a private ship owner
in 1993.[65]

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that the Chinese Coast Guard fired water
cannon at several Filipino fishermen at Panatag Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc,
in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.[66]
April 21

President Benigno Aquino III has signed Republic Act No. 10660 into law that
strengthening the Sandiganbayan, which is currently handling high-profile cases including
those related to the alleged pork barrel scam by expands the number of divisions from the
current five to seven.[67]

The Supreme Court voided an agreement between theCommission on Elections and

Smartmatic-TIM for the P300-million diagnostics and repair of the 80,000 Precinct Count
Optical Scan machines for the 2016 polls.[68]

April 22 SC released a Temporary Restraining Order for the memorandum issued by

the Commission on Higher Education on the removal of Filipino and Literature college subjects
as part of the K to 12 education program.[69]

April 29 The execution of the convicted Filipina drug muleMary Jane Veloso was
postponed.[70][71]

May[edit]

Abdul Basit Usman

May 3 Abdul Basit Usman, the most wanted bomb expert in the country, was killed by
a MILF group unit, and not by his followers, as early reported in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.[72]
[73][74][75]

May 6 The Court of Tax Appealshas lifted the warrant of arrest it issued against Jeane
Catherine Napoles, the daughter of Janet Lim Napoles, after she failed to show up for her
arraignment on a P17.46-million tax evasion case. [76]

May 8

The Commission on Elections conducted recall electionin Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Incumbent mayor Lucilo Bayron successfully defended his seat.[77][78]

Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Domingo D. Lucenario died in a helicopter

crash in Pakistan; other diplomats and the two helicopter pilots, who were with Lucenario,
were also killed in the said incident.[79]

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front registers the United Bangsamoro Justice Party as
its vehicle to run in future elections.[80]

May 11 The Court of Appeals has frozen 242 bank accounts and insurance policies
belonging to Vice PresidentJejomar Binay, some members of his family and close associates,
who are suspected of being his dummies.[81]

Kentex Slipper Factory fire

May 13 At least 72 were killed in a big fire inside the Kentex Manufacturing slippers factory
in Brgy. Ugong,Valenzuela City.[82][83] The incident was the third worst fire in Philippine history.[84]

May 18 The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of 17
people in connection with a subcommittees investigation into various corruption allegations
against Vice President Jejomar Binay.[85]

May 20

State weather bureau PAGASA is introducing a new cyclone category Super

Typhoon and adding Signal no. 5 to the current public storm warning signals. [86]

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the complaint filed by

former Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada against Senator Franklin Drilon,
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., and other officials
involved in the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center.[87]

Jennifer Dalquez, an Overseas Filipino Worker fromGeneral Santos

City was sentenced to death for killing of her employer who attempted to rape her
on December 7last year.[88]

June[edit]

June 3

The United States Embassy turned over to the Philippine government a check
amounting to some $1.3 million as the second tranche of proceeds from the forfeited assets
of former Armed Forces of the Philippines military comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia.[89][90]

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that a standoff occurred on May 25 between
its operatives and theTaiwanese Coast Guard when it apprehended the Taiwanese fishing
boat Min Jiang Tsai 6 around northeast of Batanes.[91][92]

June 4 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine President Benigno Aquino
III agreed to start negotiations on an accord for the transfer of defense equipment and
technology, as the two nations aim to bolster security ties amid China's increasing assertiveness
at sea.[93]

First Page of the Executive Order creating Negros Island Region (click for larger version).

June 5 PresidentBenigno Aquino IIIsigned Executive Order 183 that created the Negros
Island Region to improve the delivery of public services inNegros Occidentaland Negros
Oriental, which forms part of the new region.[94]

June 16 The first phase of decommissioning ofMoro Islamic Liberation Front's fighters had
begun.[95]

June 22 Vice President Jejomar Binay resigned from his post in President Benigno Aquino
III's Cabinet as the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and
presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers is effective immediately.[96]

June 25

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against Optical Media Board
chairman Ronnie Rickettsand four others for allegedly allowing the return of confiscated
pirated DVDs and VCDs to the Sky High Marketing Corporation in 2010. [97]

Raul Pangalangan, former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law,
was elected judge of theInternational Criminal Court.[98]

All local airlines can now enter the European airspace after the European
Commission had removed the Philippines from the European Union Air Safety List.[99]
June 29

The Philippines has halted the repair of its airstrip onPagasa Island of the disputed
Spratly Islands due to itspending suit at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The
Hague challenging China's claim over the waters.[100]

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has approved the preventive suspension

of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay in connection with his supposed involvement in the alleged
anomalous construction of a ten-storey building in Makati Science High School.[101]

June 30

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed formerPhilippine National Police chief
Director General Alan Purisima and 10 other officials for entering into an anomalous contract
with courier service Werfast Documentary Agency in 2011. [102]

The Philippines and six other countries defer joining the newly-established Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank.[103][104]

The Supreme Court of the Philippines asks the government to respond to a petition
seeking to repeal a law banning same-sex marriage in the country.[105]

Miriam Defensor Santiago filed a lawsuit against theEnhanced Defense Cooperation

Agreement in theSupreme Court.[106]

July[edit]

July 1 The Philippine National Oil CompanyExploration Corporation announced the

discovery of a major natural gas reserves of 71-billion cubic feet.[107]

July 2 MB Kim Nirvana, a motorized banca bound forCamotes

Islands from Ormoc, Leyte which carried 173 passengers, capsized off the coast of Ormoc killing
62 of its passengers.[108][109]

July 3 Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of graft charges
against former Metro Rail Transit 3General Manager Al Vitangcol III and five incorporators of
Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corporation in connection with alleged
irregularities in the MRT-3's interim maintenance contract.[110]

July 7 Oral arguments on the Philippines' claim over the West Philippine Sea had begun
in The Hague.[111]

Hernando Iriberri

July 10

Lt. Gen.Hernando Iriberri, former56th Commanding General of thePhilippine

Armywas designated as the newest AFP Chief of Staff in the turn-over ceremonies led by
President Aquino III inCamp Aguinaldo. Iriberri's predecessor Lt. Gen.Gregorio Pio
Catapang has retired from military service.[112]

The Sandiganbayan First Division has expanded a freeze order on detained

Senator Bong Revilla's properties to include more assets.[113]

July 14 Dir. Ricardo Marquez, director for operations since December 2013 has been
named the new chief of thePhilippine National Police.[114]

July 15

Major General Eduardo Ao, who was linked to the disappearance of activist Jonas
Burgos in 2007, was instated the new chief of the Philippine Army.[115]

The US Justice Department moved to seize $12.5 million in assets of Janet LimNapoles, a businesswoman at the center of the alleged pork barrel scam.[116]

July 17 Nine miners were killed when a mining site collapsed following a rain-induced
landslide in Caluya,Antique.[117]

July 20

The Supreme Court has upheld the dismissal of theOffice of the Ombudsman on
Sandra Cam's complaint against the late Negros Occidental Rep. Iggy Arroyo,
former Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo and Restituto Mosqueda whom she accused of
coddling jueteng operations.[118][119]

Vice President Jejomar Binay filed a P200-million damage suit arising from alleged
libelous statements against Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Alan Peter Cayetano;
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales; formerMakati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado; and
eight others.[120]

July 21 President Benigno Aquino III signed into law two of his priority economic bills the
Philippine Competition Act (Republic Act 10667), as well as amendments to the 50-year-old
Cabotage Law (Republic Act 10668), during a ceremony in Malacaang attended by members of
Congress.[121][122]

On July 23, The Iglesia ni Cristo has expelled Tenny and Angel Manalo.

July 23 The Iglesia ni Cristo hasexpelled Tenny Manalo, the widow of INC's former
executive ministerErao Manalo, and their son, Angel Manalo after they appeared in a YouTube
video claiming their lives are in danger and that some ministers have allegedly been abducted.
[123]

July 24 The Department of Science and Technology's free Wi-Fi project was launched.[124]

July 27 President Aquino III delivered his 6th State of the Nation Address in Batasang
Pambansa.[125]

July 28 Two environmental groups Basel Action Network and BAN Toxics have submitted
the case questioning theCanada's imported trash in the Philippines to the Basel Convention.[126]

July 29 The Court of Appeals has granted Krisel Mallari's plea for the issuance of a
temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction against Santo Nio Parochial
School.[127]

July 30 The Metropolitan Manila Development Authorityconducted a metro-wide

earthquake drill or the so-called Metro Manila Shake Drill in preparation for the possible
earthquake in Metro Manila.[128][129]

August[edit]

August 3 Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered his True State of the Nation Address. as
he enumerated the failures of the administration of Benigno Aquino III in the past five years. [130]

Unknown[edit]

The Bangsamoro Basic Law is expected to be passed on its final reading in the House of
Representatives before September.[131] After the bill will be signed by the President,

the Bangsamoro plebiscite will then be held later within the year, a year before the 2016
Philippine general election. The said plebiscite will determine the scope of theBangsamoro
political entity, which is set to replace theAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.[132] Final
amendments passed the Lower House on May 20, 2015.[133]

Holidays[edit]

2015 will be the 119th year of the commemoration of Dr. Jose P. Rizal's death.

On July 17, 2014, the government had already announced at least 18 Philippine holidays for 2015 as
declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 831, series of 2014. [134][135] Note that in the list, holidays
initalics are "special non-working holidays," those in bold are "regular holidays," and those in nonitalics and non-bold are "special holidays for schools."
In addition, several other places observe local holidays, such as the foundation of their town. These
are also "special days."

January 1 New Year's Day

January 2 Special non-working holiday

February 19 Chinese New Year

February 25 1986 EDSA Revolution

April 2 Maundy Thursday

April 3 Good Friday

April 4 Black Saturday

April 9 Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)

May 1 Labor Day

June 12 Independence Day

July 17 Eid'l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan)

August 21 Ninoy Aquino Day

August 25 National Heroes Day

September 23 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifices)

November 1 All Saints Day

November 30 Bonifacio Day

December 24 Special non-working holiday (in observation of the Christmas season)

December 25 Christmas Day

December 30 Rizal Day

December 31 Last day of the year (in observation of the coming New Year's celebration)

Business and economy[edit]

January 1 The ASEAN Economic Integration comes into force. The integration aims to
create a single economic market within the region. [136][137]

January 9 In a report released by the National Economic and Development Authority, the
Philippines outperformed other economies in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of export trade in
2014.[138]

January 12 Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific was fined an amount of 50 million pesos by
the Civil Aeronautics Boardafter more than ten thousand passengers were affected by 288 flight
delays and 20 flight cancellations caused by the airline from December 24 to 26 of last year.[139]

January 20 The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its economic growth forecasts
for the Philippines. In the said forecast, the country's economic growth in 2015 is expected to be
at 6.3%, and 6.2% in 2016.[140] In the 2nd quarter report, the forecast slightly raised to 6.7%
percent compared to 6.6% due to higher government spending.[141]

January 28 In the 2015 Index of Economic Freedom, the country ranked 76th freest
economy and one of the ten most improved economies in the world. The country had ranked
89th in 2014.[142]

May 12 The Department of Transportation and Communications announced the

development of a nationwide regulations for ride-sharing apps, making the Philippines the first
country to do so.[143][144]

Health[edit]

February 11

Department of Health (DOH) released a report on the recorded cases of Human

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the country last 2014 alone had reached 6,011. Records in
previous years had showed that the prevalence of the disease was high compared to the
2013 record cases of 4,814. All in all, there were already 22,527 cases of HIV disease since
1984.[145][146]

A 32-year-old Filipino nurse from Saudi Arabia, who was also 1 month pregnant, was
the country's first Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) case, DOH
confirmed after the test turned out to be positive of the said virus. [147] The Evangelista
Medical Hospital in San Pedro, Laguna, the facility where the patient was first admitted, was
temporarily closed by DOH for fourteen days. On February 17, all those who had exposure
or had contact with the said nurse were tested negative of the said virus. [148] On March 6,
TheDepartment of Foreign Affairs confirmed three Filipino female healthcare workers
in Saudi Arabia who were infected with MERS-CoV.[149]

February 19 In a report published by the World Health Organization, the Philippines was
one of the countries in Western Pacific that were reported to have the highestdengue cases.[150]

February 23 DOH confirmed the death of a returning female OFW musician from China,
few days after she arrived last February 14. The death might be a possible case of the Bird Flu
virus.[151]

July 6 DOH confirmed the second detected case of MERS-CoV in the country.[152] The
patient who had contracted the virus was from the Middle East and was referred to theResearch
Institute for Tropical Medicine last July 4. Another person, who was also showing symptoms,
was placed in isolation after he had close contact with the said patient; [153]eight others, who also
had contacted with the patient, were identified. DOH is in the process of tracking all the people
whom the patient had contacted with.[154]

July 10 About 2,000 people in the Caraga region, mostly school children, experienced food
poisoning after reportedly eating durian and mangosteen candies.[155][156][157] The next day,
the Department of Health in Caraga region has declared a food poisoning outbreak due to the
incident.[158]

July 29 Around 300 school children from various public schools in Zamboanga del
Sur, Zamboanga del Norte andMisamis Occidental were rushed to hospitals after they
complained of stomach pain and vomiting after taking deworming medicines during the
nationwide deworming activity of the Department of Health.[159]

Sports[edit]
For the full list of events related to Philippine sports in 2015, see 2015 in Philippine sports.

February 11-27, Cycling The fifth year of the Ronda Pilipinas has commenced. Two
qualifying rounds were held in Visayas, and Luzon within February 11 to 17. Mindanaoqualifiers
was cancelled due to the recent clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.[160]

February 16 Athlete of the Year and 2014 Asian Gamesgold medalist for BMX
cycling, Daniel Caluag led the 73 awardees in the 2014 PSA Annual Awards held at the One
Espanade, Pasay City.[161][162]

February 26-March 1, Racing The Shell Eco-marathonAsia, a racing competition of envirofriendly proto-type cars invented and design by engineering students in the Asia-Pacific region
was held at Quirino Grandstand, Manila.[163]

March 8, Triathlon Australian Tim Reed and Great Britain national Parys Edwards claimed
the championship title in the inaugural edition of Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 held inSubic
Bay, Zambales.[164]

March 14, Volleyball The Ateneo Lady Eagles has won their second straight championship
of the UAAP Women's Volleyball in the Season 77 Finals. Alyssa Valdez was named as the Most
Valuable Player of the season, while Amy Ahomiro claimed her Finals MVP award.[165]

April 8, Basketball The Philippine Basketball Association(PBA) recognized 40 greatest

players played for the league in 4 decades as part of their 40th anniversary celebratory rites held
at the Resorts World Manila.[166]

April 14-19, Basketball Cagayan de Oro hosted the 2015 SEABA Under-16
Championship.[167]

April 25-26, Triathlon Subic Bay hosted the 2015 ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup.[168]

April 28-May 3, Touch Football The Philippine national touch football team, composed of
both men and women and collectively known as Philippine Pythons, competed in theTouch
Football World Cup held in New South Wales,Australia.[169]

May 1-9, Volleyball The Philippines hosted the first 2015 Asian U23 Women's Volleyball
Championship. The Philippines placed seventh.[170]

Manny Pacquiao lost the boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

May 3, Boxing Dubbed as the "Battle for Greatness" or as the "Fight of the Century," Floyd
Mayweather Jr. kept his undefeated fight record after he had defeated Manny Pacquiao via a
unanimous decision in a match held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.[171]

May 3-9, Multi-sport The City of Tagum of the province Davao del Nortehosted the 2015
Palarong Pambansa. More than 12,000 student-athletes, coaches, and officials from 17 regions
participated in the multi-sports event.[172]

May 14

Basketball Chito Narvasa was named as the newest PBA commissioner,

replacing Chito Salud. Narvasa will start his work on the start of Season 71 of the said
league.[173]

Volleyball Petron Blaze Spikers earned their back-to-back victory after the team
won the Finals title of the2015 PSL All-Filipino Conference after beatingShopinas.com Lady
Clickers during set 4. Former FEU star Rachel Anne Daquis proclaimed as the MVP.[174]

May 16, Mixed Martial Arts Frankie Edgar defeatedUrijah Faber via unanimous decision
on the main fight of the first UFC event in the country, UFC Fight Night: Manila held at the MOA
Arena. Mark Muoz gave his final farewell fight also on the event.[175][176][177]

June 8, Basketball UCLA-commit Kobe Paras successfully defended his title in the FIBA
3x3 Slam Dunk Contest in Hungary, fending off challengers from the United States, Uruguay,
and the host nation.[178]

June 5-16, Multi-sport The country's athletes competed in the 2015 Southeast Asian
Games in Singapore.[179][180]The Philippines placed sixth overall, earning 29 gold, 36 silver and 66
bronze medals.[181]

July 12, Boxing Donnie Nietes, known as the longest-reigning Filipino boxing champion,
successfully won the title defense against Mexico's Francisco Rodriguez via majority decision
in Cebu.[182]

July 19, Boxing Nonito Donaire made short work of his French opponent, stopping
Anthony Settoul in just two rounds of their 10-round bout at the Cotai Arena in Macau. [183]

Entertainment and culture[edit]

For the events related to Philippine television in 2015, see2015 in Philippine television; for films,
see List of Filipino films in 2015; and for music, see 2015 in Philippine music.

January 9 The winners for the 13th Gawad Tanglaw awards for television, radio and film
were revealed.[184]

January 26 Mary Jean Lastimosa, the Philippine representative for the Miss Universe
2014, failed to make it to the Top 5 of the pageant.[185]

January 29 The winners of the 1st MITV Gawad Kamalayan Awards were revealed; the
said awards was organized by Mapua Institute of Technology.[186]

February 5 Viva Entertainment and SM Cinemas joint forces for the launching of the
"SineAsia" theater featuring Asian movies dubbed in Filipino.[187]

February 11 ABS-CBN TVplus or the "Mahiwagang Black Box", a digital terrestrial

television box brand, has been launched during the ceremonial switch-on and launching held at
the ABS-CBN Compound.[188]

February 14 Police Officer 1 Mariano Flormata, Jr., more popularly known as Neil Perez,
was crowned as the winner of the Mister International 2014 pageant held in Seoul, South Korea.
[189]

February 26 A Metro Manila Film Festival Cinema, a mini-theater showing the movie
entries of the MMFF, in Guadalupe, Makati, was inaugurated by the MMDA.[190]

February 28 Aiko Melendez, for her portrayal in the filmAsintado, was awarded as the Best
Actress in a Foreign Language Film in the prestigious International Filmmakers Festival of World
Cinema in London, England.[191]

March 15 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, a three-timer contestant of the Binibining Pilipinas, won
the title of Miss Universe Philippines in this year's pageant. [192]

March 16 CNN Philippines was launched; prior to its launching the channel was known as
9 News.[193][194] The rebranding was done after Turner Broadcasting Systeminked a partnership
and licensing deal with Nine Media Corporation in October of last year.[195]

April 11 Cherie Gil hailed as the Best Actress in the 2015 ASEAN International Film
Festival and Awards Night, on her role as opera singer in the movie "Sonata". Nora Aunor,
known as the Philippine movie industry's Superstar honored as the Lifetime Achievement
Awardee.[196]

May 7 In a formal rites, Vigan City was formally introduced to the public as part of the "New
7 Wonder Cities".[197]

May 14 El Gamma Penumbra, a shadow dance troupe from Batangas, who also once
joined Pilipinas Got Talent, won the first season of the Asia's Got Talent aired on AXN Asia.
Khusugtun of Mongolia and Gerphil Flores ended as second and third placers respectively.[198]

May 31 Angelia Gabrena Ong, of Manila was hailed as the 2015 Miss Philippines Earth, on
its Grand Coronation Night that held at the Mall of Asia Arena.[199]

June 7 Comedian Melai Cantiveros was named the first grand winner of Your Face Sounds
Familiar at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila.[200]

Manila Metropolitan Theater.

June 10 TheNational Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) now officially owns
theManila Metropolitan Theater (MET), after the signing of the deed of absolute sale between
the NCCA and its previous owner, theGovernment Service Insurance System (GSIS).[201][202]

June 16 The Supreme Court released a Temporary Restraining Order for the construction
of the controversial Torre de Manila condominium also known as the National photobomber,
which culture advocates have slammed for destroying the view of the historic Rizal Shrine.[203]

July 22 American singer Chris Brown has been placed under the Philippine government's
immigration lookout bulletin, hours before his solo concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
[204]
Brown was able to leave Manila on July 24 after he had filed a departure clearance due to a
legal issue between him and Iglesia ni Cristo that prevented him from leaving the Philippines.[205]

Deaths[edit]
January

January 9 Susan Calo Medina, travel writer and host of Travel Time (b.1941)[206][207]
January 11 Arturo Pacificador, former assemblyman and board member
of Antique (b.1931)[208]

January 14 Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, half-brother of Jamalul Kiram III(b. 1940)[209]

January 17 Woodraw Enriquez, Liga PilipinasMVP (b. 1977)[210][211]

February

February 13 Elmer Ramos, Vice Mayor ofMaigo, Lanao del Norte[212]

March

March 2 Patricio Luis Lim, chairman and CEO ofThe Peninsula Manila (b.1916)[213]

March 4 Jam Sebastian, part of JaMich, a real-life couple who gained popularity
in YouTube (b.1986)[214]

March 8 Ramil Cruz, coaching staff and former player of the UP Fighting
Maroons basketball team (b. 1966)[215]

March 14 Liezl Martinez, actress, TV host andMTRCB board member (b.1967)[216]

March 27 Josefino Cenizal, composer, director and actor. (b. 1919)[217]

April

April 1 Roel Cortez, singer (b. 1967)[218]

April 14 Ameril Umbra Kato, founder of theBangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (b.1946)
[219]

April 17

Gary Ignacio, vocalist of the Alamid band (b.1966)[220]

Ricardo Reyes a.k.a.Richie D'Horsie, comedian (b. 1957)[221]

April 24 Rene Adad, President of the Philippine Football Federation(b.1929)[222]

April 30 Lang Dulay, dreamweaver (b.1924)[223]

May

May 3 Abdul Basit Usman, bomb making expert (b.1974)[224]

May 8 Domingo Lucenario Jr., Philippine ambassador to Pakistan(b.1960)[79]

May 12 Enrique Cojuangco, Representative of 1st District of Tarlac(b.1941)[225]

June

June 13 Junix Inocian, actor and comedian (b.1951)[226]

June 19 Florante Raspado, Vice Mayor ofJones, Isabela[227]

June 28 Leoncio Pitao, New Peoples Army commander[228]

July

July 7 Julia Buencamino, actress (b.1999)[229]

July 8

Lucita Soriano, TV and movie actress (b.1941)[230]

Robert Campos, movie actor (b. 1940)[231]

July 15 Pocholo Montes, actor (b. 1946)[232]

July 17 Andal Ampatuan, Sr., former Governor ofMaguindanao and principal suspect in
theMaguindanao massacre (b.1941)[233][234]

July 24

Jimboy Salazar, singer and actor (b. 1973)[235]

Florenz Regalado, member of thePhilippine Constitutional Commission of
1986and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (b.1928)[236]

Aida Roxas, actress (b.1942)[237]

July 28 Neal H. Cruz,Philippine Daily Inquirercolumnnist (b. 1930)[238]

August

August 2 Marcelo Ong, member of the Masculados Dos (b.1985)[239]

See also[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to 2015 in
the Philippines.

Years in the Philippines

Timeline of Philippine history