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Vocabulary flashcards highlighting major laws, events, programs, disasters, scandals and other significant terms that defined the Philippines in 2020.
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Taal Volcano Eruption (Jan 12 2020)
First major eruption of Taal since 1977; prompted Alert Level 4 and a year-long state of calamity in Calabarzon.
Proclamation No. 906
Presidential decree declaring a state of calamity in Calabarzon due to the Taal Volcano eruption.
Salary Standardization Law of 2019
Law signed Jan 8 raising pay of over 1.4 million Philippine government employees.
Republic Act 11467
2020 law increasing excise taxes on alcohol, heated tobacco and vapor products.
Deployment Ban to Kuwait
Total ban imposed Jan 15 after the death of OFW Jeanelyn Villavende; lifted Feb 13 after new labor safeguards.
Pastillas Scam
Bureau of Immigration bribery scheme allowing Chinese nationals entry for ₱10,000 each, exposed Feb 17 2020.
Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) Termination Notice
Philippines’ Feb 11 announcement to end military pact with the U.S.; suspension of termination on June 1.
COVID-19 First Case (PH)
Confirmed Jan 30 2020, involving a Chinese tourist; first death outside China recorded Feb 1 in Manila.
Public Health Emergency (Proclamation 922)
Declaration signed Mar 9 2020 as COVID-19 cases rose nationally.
Code Red Sublevel 2
Highest COVID-19 alert declared Mar 12, triggering partial Metro Manila lockdown.
Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) – Luzon
Strict lockdown imposed Mar 17 covering the entire Luzon island to curb COVID-19 spread.
Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (RA 11469)
Mar 25 law granting President Duterte special powers and funds to address the pandemic.
Diwata-1
Philippines’ first microsatellite; decommissioned Apr 6 2020 after completing its earth-observation mission.
Mass Testing Launch (Apr 14 2020)
Start of large-scale COVID-19 diagnostic testing in the Philippines.
ABS-CBN Franchise Expiry
Network’s congressional franchise lapsed May 4 and broadcasts ceased May 5 upon NTC order.
House Vote vs. ABS-CBN
July 10 decision (70-11) by House panel denying ABS-CBN a new 25-year franchise.
Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program
Executive Order 114 (May 6) promoting relocation from Metro Manila to provinces for balanced development.
Typhoon Ambo (Vongfong)
First 2020 Philippine typhoon; landfall May 14 causing >₱1 billion in damage.
BRP Jose Rizal
Philippine Navy’s first missile-capable frigate, arrived May 23 2020 from South Korea.
UN Human Rights Report (June 3 2020)
OHCHR document highlighting widespread killings and abuses during the Philippine drug war.
Cyber-Libel Conviction of Maria Ressa
June 15 Manila court ruling against Rappler CEO and writer Rey Santos Jr. for a 2012 article.
Republic Act 11475
Law transferring Rizal Province’s capital from Pasig City to Antipolo, signed June 19.
Annular Solar Eclipse (June 21 2020)
Sky event visible across the Philippines, thrilling astronomers nationwide.
Republic Act 11476 (GMRC Law)
Mandates Good Manners and Right Conduct subjects’ return to the K–12 curriculum; signed June 25.
Jolo Shooting Incident
June 29 clash where police killed four Army intelligence soldiers, sparking multiple investigations.
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (RA 11479)
Controversial law signed July 3 expanding state powers to arrest and surveil terrorism suspects.
Cardinal-Bishop Tagle
Luis Antonio Tagle elevated May 1 to highest cardinal rank; added to Vatican inter-religious council July 8.
PhilHealth Corruption Scandal
2020 revelations of fund misuse (IRM, IT contracts) leading to task-force probes, suspensions and Morales’ resignation.
One Hospital Command
Referral system launched Aug 6 to coordinate COVID-19 patient allocation among health facilities.
Randall Echanis
NDFP peace consultant killed Aug 10, heightening concerns over activist safety.
Masbate Earthquake (Aug 18)
Magnitude 6.6 quake causing casualties and structural damage on Masbate Island.
Twin Jolo Bombings
Aug 24 explosions killing at least 15 and wounding dozens, attributed to Abu Sayyaf militants.
Manila Bay ‘White Sand’ Project
September dumping of crushed dolomite on Manila Baywalk as part of rehabilitation, criticized by environmentalists.
Absolute Pardon for Joseph Scott Pemberton
Sept 7 executive clemency for U.S. Marine convicted of killing Jennifer Laude.
Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (RA 11494)
Sept 11 law allocating ₱165.5 billion for COVID-19 economic recovery ('Bayanihan 2').
CPP-NPA Terrorist Designation
Dec 25 Anti-Terrorism Council resolution labeling Communist Party and its armed wing as terrorist groups.
House Speakership Crisis
Oct 12–13 standoff resulting in Lord Allan Velasco replacing Alan Peter Cayetano as House Speaker.
National ID System Preregistration
PSA campaign starting Oct 12 to enlist 10 million Filipinos for PhilSys.
Typhoon Molave (Quinta)
Late-Oct storm hitting Bicol and Southern Luzon, over ₱4 billion damage.
Super Typhoon Goni (Rolly)
Struck Nov 1 as 2020’s strongest cyclone worldwide; >₱17 billion in losses.
Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses)
Mid-Nov typhoon causing severe floods in Luzon, >₱20 billion damage.
Magat Dam Water Releases
Nov 13 opening of all seven gates, contributing to Cagayan Valley flooding.
Paniqui Double Killing
Dec 20 incident where policeman Jonel Nuezca fatally shot Sonya and Frank Gregorio, sparking outrage over police brutality.
Republic Act 11480
July 17 law allowing the President to move the start of the school year during emergencies.
Philippine Economic Recession 2020
GDP contracted 0.2 % Q1; plunged 16.9 % Q2, marking worst slump since 1981.
Philippine Stock Exchange Crash (Mar 9)
PSE index fell 6.76 %, deepest one-day dive since 2008 financial crisis.
Fitch Outlook Downgrade
May 7 adjustment reflecting pandemic-related fiscal and economic pressures on the Philippines.
Asian Development Bank COVID-19 Loans
Series of 2020 loans including $200M (Apr 30) for cash aid and $125M (Aug 25) for pandemic control.
World Bank Disaster Resilience Loan
$500 million policy loan approved Apr 10 to enhance Philippine disaster and COVID-19 response capacity.
African Swine Fever in Davao Occidental
Feb 3 state of calamity declared after region’s first ASF outbreak.
‘Pastillas’ Bribery Raps
Sept 2 NBI complaint vs. 19 Immigration personnel; follow-up arrests and charges in late September.
Sandiganbayan
Special anti-graft court that issued numerous 2020 decisions, e.g., convictions of Pichay and Floirendo, acquittals of Purisima.
NTC Cease-and-Desist Order
May 5 directive forcing ABS-CBN off air after franchise expiration.
A2Z Channel 11
Rebranded ZOE TV station airing select ABS-CBN programs from Oct 10 2020 under a block-time deal.
National Holidays Proclamation 845
List of 18 Philippine holidays for 2020, issued Nov 15 2019.
BIR Shutdown of SAFYI
Feb 21 closure of first licensed POGO for failure to pay 5 % franchise tax.
‘Pastillas’ NBI Official Arrest
Sept 22 detention of Joshua Paul Capiral for bribery linked to Immigration scam investigation.
Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Controversy
Continued 2020 probes into BuCor’s flawed inmate early-release computations.
One Hospital Command Center
Central hotline and coordination hub for hospital capacity during COVID-19 surge, launched Aug 6.
Enhanced New Generation Currency
BSP’s July 29 release of Philippine banknotes with improved anti-counterfeit features.
Oil Exploration Moratorium Lift
Oct 15 approval to resume petroleum activities in West Philippine Sea.
Republic Act 11475 (Capital Transfer)
Law moving Rizal’s provincial government seat to Antipolo City.
Good Manners & Right Conduct (GMRC) Law
RA 11476 restoring GMRC classes in all basic-education levels.
Philippine National ID (PhilSys)
Government digital identification system whose preregistration began Oct 2020.
Luzon Bird-Flu Outbreaks
March reports of H5N6 avian influenza in Nueva Ecija; July confirmation in Pampanga egg farm.
Philippine Sports Cancellations 2020
Termination of NCAA Season 95, UAAP Seasons 82-83, MPBL season, and ASEAN Para Games due to COVID-19.
Miss Universe Philippines 2020
First standalone national pageant won by Rabiya Mateo on Oct 25 in Baguio City.
CPP Founder Surrender Arrest
Feb 18 capture of ex-CPP chair Rodolfo Salas in Angeles City.
Philippine Holiday ‘Bayanihan’ Acts
Twin emergency measures (RA 11469 & RA 11494) providing funds and authority for COVID-19 response and recovery.