Groups urge PH Supreme Court to block Seafarers’ Magna Carta implementation

Two groups of seafarers marched to the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday to reiterate their call for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 12021, known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.

The Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines (CSP) and International Seafarers Action Center (ISAC) questioned the law's constitutionality, calling certain provisions “anti-seafarers.”

The groups particularly questioned provisions requiring seafarers to post bonds and the reduced compensation rules for injured seafarers during appeals.

The petitioners pointed out that Section 59 of RA 12021 provides that “pending an appeal or judicial review, a writ of execution on items (d) and/or (e) shall only be issued if the judgment obligee posts a sufficient bond to ensure the full restitution of those amounts and the bond shall be maintained by the obligee until final resolution of the appeal or judicial review.”

"Calling it a Magna Carta does not automatically make it a genuine charter of seafarers' rights,” ISAC president Atty. Edwin dela Cruz said in a statement.

“A law bearing their name should put their welfare first, not accommodate the demands of businesses that profit from their labor. Our seafarers spend months away from their families, endure difficult working conditions, and face serious risks at sea. They deserve a law that protects them, not one that makes their rights secondary to the interests of employers," he added.

The groups said the absence of genuine legal protection becomes even more alarming as Filipino seafarers continue to navigate dangerous waters where armed conflicts threaten their lives.

“Without a Magna Carta that truly prioritizes their safety and welfare, seafarers remain vulnerable to risks that go beyond the ordinary dangers of their profession,” Dela Cruz said.

For his part, CSP president Engr. Xavier Bayoneta said seafarers cannot afford to have their concerns left unanswered while the contested law is being implemented.

“We implore the justices to act on our petition. Every seafarer who leaves home to work at sea deserves the assurance that the law is on their side, especially when their interests conflict with those of powerful foreign companies,” Bayoneta added. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)