It has been 10 years since the turn of the millennium. Ten years ago saw Filipinos in fervent, seemingly perpetual hope and anxiety about what the 21st century holds for the country. And from that point on to today, Philippine history has been continuously etched with significant events to be remembered the next ten years to come, and after.
Below, a look-back on the issues from the past ten years to be forever ingrained in the Filipino’s historical consciousness:
2001
- EDSA DOS
The turn of the century and the millennium was welcomed by one of the most significant highlights in the history of the country. Seen as one of the biggest democratic demonstrations in Philippine history after its historic predecessor of 1986, EDSA Dos saw millions of Filipinos – from freshmen college students to businessmen – gathering at the EDSA Shrine to call for the impeachment of the 13th president, Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada.
A result of a turning point in the Estrada impeachment process on the evening of January 16, 2001 (a day before), EDSA Dos, much like EDSA I, is seen to have resulted in a victorious overturning of the system and the powers that be, as the national president, upon being deemed corrupt, greedy, and unfit to uphold the welfare of the citizens, was booted out of office (literally) by the voice of the outraged people.
EDSA Dos, which began to take shape January 17, ended four days after with Estrada being placed under house arrest after leaving Malacañang Palace with his family. Vice-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took the oath of office for the Philippine presidency at noon that day.
2002
- THE OAKWOOD MUTINY
June 27, 2003 was when 321 discontented officers of the Philippine armed forces took up arms in an all-out mutiny, in the process capturing the service apartments of the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center, located at the center of the country’s largest business district, as their base.
A result of the participants’ massive discontentment towards the administration of then-Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and threats of martial law, the Oakwood mutiny featured the officers taking their issues to the streets, naming themselves Bagong Katipuneros (“the New Katipuneros”) and carrying the flag of the Magdalo faction of the historic revolutionary movement.
The soldiers were led byArmy Capt. Gerardo Gambala and the Navy’s LtSG. Antonio Trillanes IV.
2003
- DAVAO AIRPORT BOMBING
It was March 4 when the city of Davao was rocked by an explosion and sudden unrest. On that day, a powerful bomb obliterated the terminal of the Davao International Airport, leaving at least 21 people dead and at least 147 wounded.
Official statements pinned the incident on the Muslim separatist group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with nine of its members arrested and charged. The bombing occurred a day after the Manila government announced its agreement with American troops to crack down on and fight the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim guerilla force with alleged ties to the Al Qa’ida.
The airport bombing, which was shortly followed by bombing of a health center in a town 18 miles from Davao, is considered the worst terrorist incident in Asia since the October 2002 attack in Bali, Indonesia.
2004
- PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
May 10 saw the Philippine people cast their votes for a new leader, each one hoping to start anew after the ousting of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wins and ascends to power, narrowly beating rival Fernando Poe, Jr. (an ally and friend of ousted former president Estrada) by 3%.
This was technically the start of Arroyo’s first full term as the 14th president, after ascending to the position on 2001 upon Estrada’s ousting. Furthermore, the 2004 elections ignited public frustration and eventual mistrust for President Arroyo, who ran for a full presidential term after previously announcing that she had no plans of running.
- PULLOUT OF PHILIPPINE TROOPS FROM US-IRAQ WAR
The withdrawal of Philippine troops from the US-Iraq War came in response to terrorist threats of beheading Angelo de la Cruz, a Filipino truck driver abducted on July 7, unless the Philippine government decided by 11 pm of July 13th to pull out its 51-man humanitarian troop by July 20.
The decision made by President Arroyo was met with split reactions from both the domestic and international media: while some criticized her decision as bending to terrorist wills and setting a dangerous international precedent, others hailed her for putting “national interests above everything else” and showing “a human commitment” beyond “norms in international ties.”
The pullout was taken most harshly by the US government, who decided to take up arms against Iraq after the September 11 incident.
Pres. Arroyo remained defiant in the face of rabid criticism.
“What I have said to you, it won’t take three lines to summarize,” she said, addressing Philippine diplomats and the Department of Foreign Affairs. “One, I take sole responsibility; two, I make no apology; three, I stuck to my oath.”
2005
- “HELLO, GARCI?” SCANDAL
One of the most controversial developments in the last decade, this story featured one of the lowest points of the Arroyo administration.
An audio recording of a wiretapped conversation between then-President Arroyo and then-COMELEC (Commission on Election) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano allegedly showed evidence of the rigging of the 2004 Presidential elections. Released to the public, the news further pushed the investigation on suspected election fraud.
The scandal led to accusations of an administration-wide cover-up, and ignited frantic, widespread calls for Arroyo’s resignation.
- THE BIRTH OF E-VAT
The implementation of the Expanded Value Added Tax last November 1, 2005 was the Arroyo administration’s way of generating additional measures to remedy the worsening fiscal predicament.
Expert projections revealed that the E-VAT would generate revenues ranging from P28-P30 billion from July to December 2005, and P97-P105 billion the following year.
The E-VAT law was expected to cut out VAT exemptions on a number of essential expenditures, including electricity, petroleum, and doctor and lawyer professional fees.
This provision, along with many others, made the E-VAT implementation highly unpopular among Filipino citizens.
Incoming search terms:
- evat sa pilipinas
- reaction about oakwood mutiny
- sikat pintor pilipinas
- vat sa pilipinas
