2021 in the Philippines details events of note that have occurred in the Philippines in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic, which largely defined 2020, continued into 2021. Incumbents President: Rodrigo Duterte (PDP–Laban) Vice President: Leni Robredo (Liberal) Congress (18th): Senate President: Tito Sotto (NPC) House Speaker: Lord Allan Velasco (PDP–Laban) Chief Justice: Diosdado Peralta (until March 27) Estela Perlas-Bernabe (acting), (March 27 – April 5) Alexander Gesmundo (from April 5) Ongoing events COVID-19 pandemic Pharmally scandal (from July) 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, which includes the 500th anniversaries of the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines, the Philippines' part in Magellan's circumnavigation of the world, and the victory of Lapulapu's forces in the Battle of Mactan. Events January January 4 – President Rodrigo Duterte signs Republic Act No. 11510, institutionalizing the alternative learning system (ALS). January 18 – The Department of National Defense announces its unilateral termination of its 1989 accord with the University of the Philippines which took effect three days earlier over claims that the New People's Army is recruiting members in the universities' campuses. The agreement limited the entry of police and military of the national government in the University of the Philippines' campuses. February February 5 – Businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, former Cagayan de Oro representative Constantino Jaraula, and three others are convicted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and malversation of public funds, in relation to the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam. February 7: – 2021 Davao Del Sur earthquake: A 6.0 earthquake struck the southern island of Mindanao, injuring 14 and causing damage. February 16: The Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, unanimously dismisses the electoral protest of defeated vice presidential candidate and former senator Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo. President Rodrigo Duterte grants amnesty to members of rebel groups Moro National Liberation Front, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade who have committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs, and who would agree to surrender their weapons. February 17 – Senator Leila de Lima is acquitted, due to insufficient evidence, in one of the three drug cases filed against her. February 26 – President Rodrigo Duterte signs Republic Act No. 11524, creating a trust fund for the country's coconut farmers. February 28 – The Philippines receives its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, with the arrival of 600,000 doses of China-based drugmaker