2003 in the Philippines

← 2002 2001 2000 2003 in the Philippines → 2004 2005 2006
Decades:	1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	List of years in the Philippines films

2003 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 2003.

Incumbents

• President - Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (NPC)
• Vice President - Teofisto Guingona (NPC)
• Senate President - Franklin Drilon
• House Speaker - Jose de Venecia
• Chief Justice - Hilario Davide, Jr.
• Philippine Congress - 12th Congress of the Philippines

Events

• January 22–26 – 4th World Meeting of Families was held at the Quirino Grandstand Luneta Park, Manila.
• February 13 – The Overseas Absentee Voting Act is passed into law providing a system of voting for overseas Filipinos.
• March 4 – A bomb exploded at an airport in Davao City that killed at least 19 people.
• May 26 – The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 is passed into law. The Philippines becomes one of the first Asian nations to pass anti-trafficking legislation.
• July 27 – A group of soldiers calling themselves the Bagong Katipuneros launched a mutiny in Oakwood against then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo citing alleged corruption of Arroyo's administration and claimed that Arroyo was about to declare martial law.

Concerts

• September 13 – The Event with F4 and Barbie Hsu live at the PhilSports Complex, Pasig City
• November 16 – Mariah Carey live at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field, Taguig City
• December 26 – F4 live at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field, Taguig City

Television

Main article: 2003 in Philippine television

Sports

• July 13 – The Talk 'N Text Phone Pals wins their first-ever PBA title in 13 years, winning four straight over the defending champions Coca Cola Tigers in a 4-2 series victory.
• August 23 – Alaska Aces wins their PBA Invitational Championship title with a 2-1 series victory over the Coca-Cola Tigers
• December 14 – After two runner-up finishes in the first two conferences, the Coca Cola Tigers won their 2nd PBA title with a 4-3 series victory over San Miguel Beermen.
• December 5–13 – The Philippines participated at the 22nd Southeast Asian Games were held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Births

• February 14 – Zephanie Dimaranan, singer
• March 12 – Andrea Brillantes, actress, model, Commercial Endorser
• March 16 – Francheska Salcedo, actress
• March 31 – Carl Alexander Acosta, actor and dancer
• May 13 – Rita Gaviola, actress and internet sensation
• June 1 – Jayda Avanzado, singer
• July 28 – Carlo Jose, Musician, Dota 2 Professional Player, Basketball player
• August 16 – Harvey Bautista, actor
• October 13 – Ar Angel Aviles, actress
• October 22 – Lie Reposposa, singer, actress and housemate
• November 23 – Alyanna Angeles, actress
• December 27 – Louise Abuel, actor/TV commercial model

Deaths

• March 23 – Amado Cortez, former actor and diplomat (b. 1928)
• March 31 – Eddie Arenas, Filipino actor (b. 1935)
• April 9 – Rod Navarro, former TV host, actor, and radio commentator (b. 1936)
• June 2 – Danny Holmsen, former film director (b. 1930)
• June 19 – Rafael Ileto, former Defense secretary (b. 1920)
• June 24 – Rene Cayetano, former Senator and father of Senator Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano (b. 1934)
• July 2 – Antonio Fortich, Catholic bishop and social activist (b. 1913)
• July 4 – Manuel Araneta, Jr., Filipino basketball player (b. 1926)
• July 6 – Jose C. Abriol, Filipino Catholic priest, monsignor, and Bible translator from the Philippines (b. 1918)
• July 18 – César Ramírez, former actor and father of the late Ace Vergel (b. 1929)
• July 19:
  • Oscar Moreno, former actor and father of Boots Anson-Roa (b. 1921)
  • Vic Vargas, former actor (b. 1939)
• July 27 – Emmanuel Pelaez, former Vice-President of the Philippines (b. 1915)
• September 10 – Tata Esteban, 48, former film director (b. 1954)
• September 26 – Inday Badiday, Filipino host and journalist who was known as Philippine television's "queen of showbiz talk shows" and "queen of intrigues" (b. 1944)
• October 7 – Julie Fe Navarro, radio talent and showbiz writer (b. 1941)
• November 14 – Carding Castro, former singer-comedian and singing comic duo Reycard Duet (b. 1935)
• November 16 – Catalino Macaraig, Jr., Filipino politician (b. 1927)
• November 17 – Betty Chua-Sy, former finance executive for the Coca-Cola Export Corp. (b. 1972)
• November 20 – Pedro Yap, former Chief Justice (b. 1918)
• December 5 – Fred Montilla, former actor (b. 1919)
• December 14 – Blas Ople, former Senator and former Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs (b. 1927)
• December 29 – Miko Sotto, former young actor and son of actress and radio host Ali Sotto (b. 1982)