1996 in the Philippines

Incumbents

• President - Fidel Ramos
• Vice President - Joseph Estrada
• Senate President - Neptali Gonzales, Ernesto Maceda
• House Speaker - Jose de Venecia, Jr.
• Chief Justice - Andres Narvasa
• Philippine Congress - 10th Congress of the Philippines

  Events

February

• February 14 – Violent clashes erupt between Filipino soldiers and Vietnamese boat people, as the Philippines government attempts to forcibly repatriate hundreds of Vietnamese asylum seekers.
• February 18 – At least 50 people were killed when an overcrowded ferry capsized at the entrance to the port of Cadiz, Negros Occidental; the incident happened when passengers shifted to one side to avoid high waves.

  March

• March 18 – Fire razes Ozone Disco, killing 162 guests including college graduating students and 95 more injured. The incident was officially acknowledged as the worst fire in Philippine history, and among the 10 worst nightclub fires in the world.
• March 24 – A mining disaster occurs in the island province of Marinduque when the leftover mine tailings from the drainage of the Marcopper Mining Corporation are leaked into the river and spilled into the sea.

  July

• July 24–25 – Typhoon Gloria loosed rains and flooding that killed nearly 60 people on Luzon and Mindoro Islands.

  August

• August 1:
• * Sarah Balabagan, an OFW who was accused of killing an Arab employee, is freed.
• * Mabuhay, moved to its new orbital slot. Mabuhay satellite, previously named Palapa B-2P, was acquired by Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation on an earlier date this year. Mabuhay became one to be owned by a Filipino entity.

  September

• September 2 – A permanent peace agreement is signed at the Malacañan Palace between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front.

  November

• November 24–25 – 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit is held in Subic, Zambales; the first time the country hosted the event.

  Television

Sports

• May 26 – The Alaska Milkmen defeated the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, 93-92 in overtime to win the 1996 PBA All-Filipino Cup Finals.
• July 19–August 4 – The Philippines participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States and ranked 61st. Athlete Mansueto Velasco received his silver medal and placed second in boxing.
• September 10 – The Alaska Milkmen won against the Formula Shell Zoom Masters, grabbing their second championship for the season.
• December 17 – The Alaska Milkmen has won the coveted grandslam, winning the series over Ginebra San Miguel, 4-1.

  Concerts

• December 8–10 – Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour: Asiaworld City, Parañaque City

  Births

• January 3 – Baninay Bautista, actress and internet sensation
• January 6 – Elisse Joson, actress and model
• January 15 – Julian Estrada, actor
• January 22 – Khalil Ramos, actor and singer
• February 3 – Rhap Salazar, singer, songwriter and actor
• February 15 – Skusta Clee, rapper, member of Ex Battalion
• March 7 – Angelica Barcelo, actress
• March 22 – Jan Capon, actor
• March 26 – Kathryn Bernardo, actress
• April 20 – Miggy Tolentino, actor and That's My Bae contestant
• May 10 – Anjo Damiles, actor
• May 13 – Bruno Gabriel, actor
• May 21 – Jay Arcilla, actor
• June 2 – Morissette Amon, actress and singer
• June 9 – Marvelous Alejo, actress and singer
• July 20 – Sue Ramirez, actress
• July 22 – Jane Oineza, actress
• August 9 – Sanya Lopez, actress
• August 13 – Thea Tolentino, actress
• August 17 – Ella Cruz, actress
• August 19 – Hannah Precillas, singer
• August 24 – Faye Lorenzo, actress
• September 13 – CJ Navato, actor
• October 17 – Karen Reyes, actress
• October 26 – Ronnie Alonte, actor and singer
• November 4 – Michael Christian Martinez, figure skater
• December 22:
• * Makisig Morales, actor and singer
• * Joao Constancia, actor and member of BoybandPH
• December 25 - Ivana Alawi, actress

  Deaths

• January 7 – Bienvenido Santos, Filipino-American fiction, poetry and nonfiction writer.
• March 17 – Rey Cuenco, basketball player
• June 2 – Ishmael Bernal, Filipino film, stage and television director, actor and screenwriter
• June 13 – Rolando Abadilla, Filipino intelligence officer during the Marcos regime
• June 28 – Tenten Muñoz, singer and actress
• August 11 – Ambrosio Padilla, basketball player and senator
• September 18 – Tomás Cloma, lawyer and businessman
• October 17 – Richie Fernando, S.J., Filipino Jesuit cleric and missionary
• October 28 – Irene R. Cortes, Filipino judge
• November 2 – Arnie Tuadles, basketball player
• November 27 – Balot, comedian, film, television and stage actor