Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV called on Filipino seafarers to hear out Vice President Leni Robredo’s pronouncements about the maritime industry rather than be misled by fake news and false posts on social media.
Trillanes, a former Navy officer running once again for senator, said Robredo’s plans “are aligned with the industry’s navigational map.”
The Vice President discussed her vision of turning the Philippines into a maritime power by boosting the shipping industry during the recent online forum with the Filipino Shipping Association (FSA) on March 7.
Trillanes noted the review done by industry leaders, experts, and seafarers on what Robredo had said, “and they were the ones who gave the inputs.”
“Ito ay ayon na rin sa (This was also based on the) consultative style ni VP Leni sa pagpanday ng mga mahahalagang polisiya (of VP Leni on forging important policies),” he added.
“For me, her statement during her talk with leaders of the Filipino shipping industry is her official policy articulation, hindi 'yung pineke sa TikTok or sa YouTube (not the ones being faked on Tiktok and Youtube),” the senator said.
Some netizens spliced Robredo’s video during the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) to make it seem like she belittled the skills of the seafarers.
The original transcript of the Vice President’s remarks, however, showed that she was highlighting the gap in the curriculum for seafarers to meet the required skills and standards.
The Seafarers for Leni also clarified the issue, agreeing with Robredo because the 2020 European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit found the Philippines to be non-compliant to the standards of maritime training and education.
The group said this could result to the non-employment of Filipino seafarers by European employers.
In the virtual forum, Robredo revealed her “Blue” strategy for economic development, including the seafarers and the local maritime industry in her economic platform.
READ: Robredo’s pitch for seafarers: PH registered fleet
The aspiring president envisioned the country as an emerging maritime power anchored on the modern maritime industry and powered by a globally competitive seafaring force.
Robredo also highlighted the country should produce more Filipino seafarers recognized by global shipping fleets as fit to become ship officers.
“By far, she’s the only presidential candidate who had made it very clear that the seafaring industry – most especially the seafarer – would be one of her major economic pillars,” said Trillanes.
He stressed that Robredo meant no disrespect in proposing calibrated retooling programs for new seafarers as she recognized Filipino seafarers’ skills and capacities.
"Hindi tayo pwede malamangan ng mga (we can’t be surpassed by) seamen from Indonesia and India dahil mabilis na sila nakakahabol sa (because they can catch up fast in the) training," Trillanes said.
“The troll farm that deems this as belittling or disrespecting our Pinoy Marino may have never known a relative or a neighbor who worked in an international vessel,” he added.