7 February
Timor Leste leader Xanana Gusmao thanks Filipinos for supporting his country’s quest for indepen-dence. Government and business leaders promise official assistance in technology, skills transfer, and diplomatic relations.
26 February
“You must have rights protected … But that’s nothing if you have a corrupt judicial system. Unless you have a proper
judicial system, the existence of laws is a joke.”
– James Wolfenson, World Bank President
7 March
RA 8762 liberalizes retail trade.
21 March
President Joseph Estrada orders an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
23 April
Abu Sayyaf Group kidnaps 10 Western tourists and 11 resort workers in Sipadan Island off to Borneo.
11 May
“I Love You” virus infects computers worldwide causing over US$2.5 billion in damages.
23 May
RA 8791 regulates the operations of banks, quasi-banks, and trust entities.
14 June
RA 8792 recognizes use of electronic documents in commercial and non-commercial transactions.
27 June
RA 8794 imposes a motor vehicle user’s charge.
June
MBC appeals for tranquility over the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao conflict.
30 June
Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar speaks before MBC.
10 July
Payatas dump crumbles.
19 July
RA 8799 reorganizes the Philippine Stock Exchange as a stock corporation pursuant to a demutualization plan approved by the SEC.
8 September
Millennium Summit of World Leaders in New York creates Millenium Development Goals.
16 September
Pres. Estrada launches military offensive in Jolo vs MILF.
4 October
Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson exposes Pres. Estrada as king of jueteng lords.
19 October
Congressmen file impeachment complaint against Pres. Estrada.
22 October
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism releases story on Pres. Estrada mansions.
26 October
“It is important to remember that the BSP will try to insulate the economic sphere from the political arena.”
– Rafael Buenaventura, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor
27 October
Foreign Exchange depreciates to P50:US$1.
30 October
MBC leads business groups in calling for Pres. Estrada’s resignation.
4 November
EDSA Shrine rally calls for Pres. Estrada to resign.
13 November
The House of Representatives impeaches Pres. Estrada.
4 December
“We ask you to ensure that the [impeachment] trial will be fair and impartial. In the final analysis, it is not only the President nor Congress who are on trial. In the eyes of many, it is the nation that is on trial.”
– MBC statement
7 December
Pres. Estrada impeachment trial starts.
19 December
“As your duly elected Vice President, it is my duty - not my pleasure but my responsibility - to assure
our people that any transition in which I am involved will be constitutional, orderly, and with the benefit of a clear national agenda that will unite the country and restore confidence.”
– Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
30 December
Rizal Day bombing of Light Rail Transit kills 14, injures 90.