← 2000 1999 1998 2001 in the Philippines → 2002 2003 2004
Decades:	1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	List of years in the Philippines films

2001 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 2001.

Incumbents

• President
  • Joseph Estrada (LAMMP) (until January 20)
  • Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas) (starting January 20)
• Vice President
  • Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas) (until January 20)
  • Teofisto Guingona (Lakas) (starting January 20)
• Senate President:
  • Aquilino Pimentel (until June 30)
  • Franklin Drilon (starting June 30)
• House Speaker:
  • Arnulfo Fuentabella (until January 20)
  • Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (January 20-Jun 30)
  • Jose C. de Venecia, Jr. (starting June 30)
• Chief Justice: Hilario Davide, Jr.
• Philippine Congress
  • 11th Congress of the Philippines (until June 8)
  • 12th Congress of the Philippines (starting July 23)

Events

January

• January 12 – The cityhood of Valencia, Bukidnon is ratified in a plebiscite for Republic Act 8985, which was approved on December 5, 2000.^[1]
• January 16 – After 11 senators voted not to open an envelope containing potentially incriminating documents against President Estrada, the prosecutors walk out.
• January 17 – 20 – Second EDSA Revolution. Millions of people march in the streets of EDSA for a peaceful protest against President Estrada for being accused of plunder.
• January 20:
  • Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo takes the oath of office as the 14th president of the Philippines. She is considered as the second female president after Corazon Aquino.
  • Estrada steps down as the 13th President of the Philippines from his office at Malacañang Palace.
• January 22 – Vigan becomes a city in the province of Ilocos Sur through ratification of Republic Act 8988 which was approved on December 27, 2000.^[2]

February

• February 3 – San Fernando becomes a city in the province of Pampanga through ratification of Republic Act 8990 which was approved on January 26.

March

• March 10 – Tanauan becomes a city in the province of Batangas through ratification of Republic Act 9005 which was approved on February 2.
• March 24
  • Ligao becomes a city in the province of Albay through ratification of Republic Act 9008 which was approved on February 21.^[3]
  • Tabaco becomes a city in the province of Albay through ratification of Republic Act 9020 which was approved on March 5.
• March 28
  • Alaminos becomes a city in the province of Pangasinan through ratification of Republic Act 9025 which was approved on March 5.^[4]
  • Candon becomes a city in the province of Ilocos Sur through ratification of Republic Act 9018 which was approved on March 5.^[5]
• March 30 – The cityhood of Cauayan, Isabela is ratified in a plebiscite for Republic Act 9017, which has approved on Feb. 28.^[6]
• March 31
  • Escalante becomes a city in the province of Negros Occidental through ratification of Republic Act 9014 which was approved on February 28.
  • Himamaylan becomes a city in the province of Negros Occidental through ratification of Republic Act 9028 which was approved on March 5.
  • Panabo becomes a city in the province of Davao del Norte through ratification of Republic Act 9015 which was approved on February 28.
  • Sipalay becomes a city in the province of Negros Occidental through ratification of Republic Act 9027 which was approved on March 5.

April

• April 21
  • Calamba becomes a city in the province of Laguna through ratification of Republic Act 9024 which was approved on March 5.^[7]
  • Malabon becomes a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila through ratification of Republic Act 9019 which was approved on March 5.^[8]
• April 25
  • Estrada is arrested in San Juan following a protest by his supporters and detained at Camp Crame.
  • Isabela becomes a city in the province of Basilan through ratification of Republic Act 9023 which was approved on March 5.

May

• May 1 – Estrada supporters attack Malacañang Palace following a riot, killing many and several others were rounded up by the police.
• May 14 – Legislative and local elections are held nationwide.
• May 27 – Twenty tourists are abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists from a popular island resort in Palawan and later taken hostage; some of them are killed; crisis lasts about 12 months.^[9]

August

• August 2 – ASG members attack a predominantly Christian village in Lamitan, Basilan, with 11 of 32 kidnapped villagers were killed.
• August 18 – A fire swept through the Manor Hotel in Quezon City and killed at least 68 people.^[10][11]
• August 25 – Gapan becomes a city in the province of Nueva Ecija through ratification of Republic Act 9022 which was approved on March 5.^[12]

November

• November 17 – New People's Army guerrillas ambush an Army Special Forces platoon in Cateel, Davao Oriental; 18 government troopers and 10 NPA rebels are killed.^[13]

Holidays

As per Executive Order No. 292, chapter 7 section 26, the following are regular holidays and special days, approved on July 25, 1987.^[14] 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 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
• April 12 – Maundy Thursday
• April 13 – Good Friday
• May 1 – Labor Day
• June 12 – Independence Day
• August 26 – 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."

Business and economy

• September – Digital Mobile Philippines launches Sun Cellular to provide wireless public and private telecommunications services.^[15]

Sports

• March 30–April 1 – The Philippines hosts the 2001 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship.
• May 18 – The San Miguel Beermen captures their 16th PBA title, winning their finals series against the Barangay Ginebra Kings in game 6 of the 2001 PBA All-Filipino Cup.
• August 24 – Batang Red Bull Thunder wins the Commissioner's Cup title in only their second season and fifth conference. The Thunder defeats San Miguel Beermen in Game Six for a 4–2 series victory.
• September 8–17 – The country's athletes compete in the 2001 Southeast Asian Games which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• December 16 – The Sta. Lucia Realtors captures its first-ever PBA title after 8 years of participation in the league, winning over defending champions San Miguel Beermen in six games.

Television

Births

• January 6
  • Cassy Legaspi, actress
  • Mavy Legaspi, actor
• January 27 - Aiah Arceta, member of Bini
• February 5 – Juan Karlos Labajo, The Voice Kids finalist
• February 13 – Jelay Pilones, housemate
• February 15 – Angeli Nicole Sanoy, actress
• March 6 – Rere Madrid, actress
• March 28 – Missy Quino, actress and housemate
• April 27 – Akira Morishita, actor, singer, and member of BGYO
• April 29 – Faith Da Silva, actress
• May 24 – Darren Espanto, singer
• August 3 – Agnes "Angeli" Khang, Filipino-Korean actress and former model
• August 16 – Lianne Valentin, actress
• August 23 – Zaijian Jaranilla, actor
• September 14 - Colet Vergara, member of Bini
• October 18 – Rans Rifol, former member of MNL48
• October 31 – Amy Nobleza, singer and actress
• November 7 – Grae Fernandez, actor
• December 14 – Alyssa Solomon, volleyball player
• December 19 – Mika Gorospe, singer

Deaths

• March 10 – Arturo Alcaraz, volcanologist (b. 1916)
• March 13 – Encarnacion Alzona, historian, educator and suffragist. (b. 1895)
• August 19 – Felicisimo Fajardo, Olympic basketball player (b. 1915)
• October 3 – Alfie Almario, basketball player (b. 1963)
• October 12 – Eddie Rodriguez, film director (b. 1932)
• November 7 – Nida Blanca, actress (b. 1936)
• November 8 – Valentin Eduque, basketball coach and player (b. 1927)
• November 23 – Maria Teresa Carlson, actress (b. 1963)