MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is being urged to veto the bill on Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, as Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said the current version of the measure has been “watered down.” “Despite aiming to protect seafarers, yung Magna Carta of Seafarers ay winater-down. Maraming nawala dun sa mga provisions natin, kinompromise yung rights at saka interests nung mga seafarers natin…Ngayon ang kailangan pong magawa ay pigilan ang Presidente na pirmahan yung ganito,” Brosas said during a seafarers’ forum in Manila on Monday.The Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers has now undergone multiple revisions due to contentious escrow and bond provisions for seafarers’ monetary claims in relation to accidents or disability in the line of duty. The measure was first endorsed for the President’s signature in December 2023, but was recalled by the Senate. The escrow provision was removed and the bond requirement retained in the version submitted to the President later on, but it was sent back to Congress for a review without the President’s signature last March. The bicameral conference committee then removed the bond provision in May. This was lauded by some lawmakers and seafarer groups. However, the controversial provision was reinstated during a third ratification in June, drawing criticism from stakeholders.

LINK: https://seafarertimes.com/2020-21/node/9050