1997 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1997. Incumbents President: Fidel Ramos (Lakas) Vice President: Joseph Estrada (NPC) Senate President: Ernesto Maceda House Speaker: Jose de Venecia, Jr. Chief Justice: Andres Narvasa Philippine Congress: 10th Congress of the Philippines Events March March 26 – Las Piñas becomes a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila through ratification of Republic Act 8251 which was approved last February 12. June June 22 – President Fidel V. Ramos signs Proclamation No. 1030, that declaring the Philippine tarsier (Scientific name: Carlito syrichta) as a specially protected faunal species of the Philippines. July July 11 – The Philippines begin to experience the effect of the Asian financial crisis; the peso devalues by 11.5% with the peso-dollar rate recorded at ₱29.45. Further depreciation causes the Philippine Stock Exchange composite index to go down, and mainly affects the country's economic growth, with annual nominal GDP per capita drops by 12.5% from the previous year. The crisis affects numerous countries in East and Southeast Asia. July 16 – Sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong were abducted and killed in Cebu City, the suspects were later sentenced to death, which in turn would lead to the abolition of death penalty in 2006. August August 2 – Kabankalan becomes a city in the province of Negros Occidental through ratification of Republic Act 8297 which was approved last June 6. August 19 – Agila-2 communications satellite was launched from China and began commercial service. It is the first satellite of the country not acquired while in orbit. September September 4 – Simultaneous bomb explosions in Manila and Bulacan kill six and injure 105, mostly commuters. September 22 – Two overloaded PNR trains collide in Muntinlupa City, killing nine and injuring around 200; one of the country's worst train accidents. September 25 – A clash between the armed men of Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Jolo Mayor Sout Tan occurs at Maimbung and Indanan towns in Sulu, killing 17 supporters from both rivals. September 30 – Anti-Rape Law (Republic Act 8353) is passed. October October 5 – A cargo truck collides into a mini-bus in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte with 25 people reportedly killed in what police considered as the worst road accident in the Zamboanga Peninsula area. October 6 – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) conducts an execution of two individuals, who had been "sentenced