1985 in the Philippines

Ferdinand E.
Marcos Sr.

Cesar A.
Virata

Nicanor E.
Yñiguez

Ramon C.
Aquino

• President: Ferdinand Marcos (KBL)
• Prime Minister: Cesar Virata (KBL)
• House Speaker: Nicanor Yñiguez
• Chief Justice:
  • Enrique Fernando (until July 24)
  • Felix Makasiar (July 24 – November 20)
  • Ramon Aquino (starting November 20)

• February 13 – An arson attack on the Regent of Manila, a resort hotel in Pasay, occurs,^[1][2] burning it for four days and killing at least 27 people^[3] including more than ten foreigners.^[1] Between October 1984 and this month, 65, mostly foreign tourists, die in eight hotel fires in Baguio and Metro Manila;^[4] the incident being the sixth.^[2]

• April 22 – A fire in a theater complex inside a commercial building in Tabaco, Albay kills 44 people.^[5]

• June 12 – The Central Bank issues the New Design Series, starting with a new 5-peso banknote with the face of Emilio Aguinaldo.

• August 13 – Fifty-six assemblymen of the Regular Batasang Pambansa sign a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Ferdinand Marcos for graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, gross violation of his oath of office and other high crimes.

• September 20 – In Escalante, Negros Occidental, pro-government paramilitary forces gun down civilians engaged in a protest-rally in commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. At least 20 die and 30 more are injured.^[6]

• October 18 – Typhoon Saling made landfall in the Philippines. The typhoon leaves 101 dead and $68 million in damage (1985 dollars).^[6][7]

• November 2 – The military reports that at least 21 people had been killed in anti-communist clashes in southern Mindanao.^[8]
• November 3 – President Marcos announces in a television interview he would set snap elections.

• December 2 – The Sandiganbayan acquits all the accused including General Fabian Ver in the Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.
• December 9 – The Philippine Daily Inquirer is founded by Eugenia Apostol, Max Soliven and Betty Go-Belmonte, as the broadsheet releases its first issue.^[6]

Letter of Instruction No. 1087, issued by President Marcos in 1980 that provided revised guidelines for observation of holidays, remained in effect. The letter strictly mandated that when a legal holiday fell on a Sunday, only a proclamation was required to declare the following Monday a special public holiday.^[9]

The Barangay and Thanksgiving (September 11 and 21, respectively) days were observed for the last time. The issuance declaring both as national holidays was eventually repealed by a 1986 order authorized by President Corazon Aquino.^[10]

Legal public holidays

• January 1 – New Year's Day
• April 5 – Maundy Thursday
• April 6 – Good Friday
• May 1 – Labor Day
• May 6 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan, Corregidor and Besang Pass Day)
• June 12 – Independence Day
• July 4 – Filipino-American Friendship Day
• August 25 – National Heroes Day
• November 30 – Bonifacio Day
• December 25 – Christmas Day
• December 30 – Rizal Day

Nationwide special holidays

• September 11 – Barangay Day
• September 21 – Thanksgiving Day
• November 1 – All Saints Day
• December 31 – Last Day of the Year

• November 8 – SM City North EDSA is opened as the first SM Supermall in the Philippines.