1981 in the Philippines

Decades:	1960s; 1970s; 1980s; 1990s; 2000s;
See also:	List of years in the Philippines; films; ; ; ;

1981 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1981.

Incumbents

President: Ferdinand Marcos (Liberal)
Prime Minister: Ferdinand Marcos (Liberal) (until June 30), Cesar Virata (Liberal) (starting June 30)
House Speaker: Querube Makalintal
Chief Justice: Enrique Fernando

January 18 - Martial Law was lifted by President Marcos.
February 12 - Pata Island, Sulu massacre.
February 17-21 – Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines for his first papal visit.
April 7 – National plebiscite and local plebiscites was held on April 7, 1981 in the Philippines. The majority of the Filipino people voted yes to the terms and constitutional amendments. All were in favor of the creation of the new municipalities in Bohol, South Cotabato and Zamboanga del Norte.
June 16 – Presidential elections was held. Incumbent Ferdinand E. Marcos of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) defeated former Gen. Alejo Santos of the Nacionalista Party in a landslide victory garnering 88% of the votes. Most opposition parties boycotted the elections as a sign of protest over the 1978 elections for an interim Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) which they condemned as fraudulent.
November 17 – Manila Film Center was collapsed, killing 169 workers.
December 6–15 – The 11th Southeast Asian Games were held for the first time in the Philippines at Manila.^[1] The Philippines ranked third with an over-all total of 187 medals.

January 19 - Paolo Bugia, basketball player
March 7 – Rica Peralejo, actress
March 22 – Karylle, actress, hosts
April 21 – Luis Manzano, actor, hosts
May 12 – Dennis Trillo, actor
June 10 – Arwind Santos, basketball player
June 20 – Maricar Reyes, Filipina actress, endorsement
November 1 –
- Mark Borboran, basketball player
- Coco Martin, actor producer and vtr commercial voice endorsement
November 3 – Mark Cardona, basketball player
November 18 – Gian Magdangal, singer and actor

July 6 - Fort Acuña, Filipino professional basketball player and coach (b. 1948)
December 30 – Alfie Anido, Filipino actor (b. 1959)