While the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) respects the decision of President Marcos to delay the signing of Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, it hopes that the bill will be enacted "right away."

"Any law which will improve the lot of seafarers should be signed as soon as possible but we fully respect the President and the legislators' desire to improve the bill as it is. But we’d certainly like to see a bill come out, a law passed," DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 12.

De Vega made the statement when asked if the recent attack on a Houthi ship, killing two Filipino seafarers and injuring three others calls for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers to finally be signed by the President.

He, however, emphasized that the prompt passage of the law should not compromise the review that must be done on the bill.

"Yes. But not so soon that they forgot whatever they wanted to fix in the first place. Pero sana mapasa (But I hope it will be passed) right away," De Vega said when asked if they opt to have the bill be passed as soon as possible.

It can be recalled that the President decided not to sign the proposed law in February this year as it was still under review.

Marcos actually certified the measure as urgent in September last year.

The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers aims to address the lack of domestic laws vis-à-vis the country’s compliance with international maritime standards, as well as the seafarers’ rights and welfare.

Malacañang said it is intended to "address recurring deficiencies in the domestic laws pertaining to the training and accreditation of thousands of Filipino seafarers, which endanger their employment in the European market in particular, and the global maritime arena, in general."

The measure covers Filipino seafarers “who are employed or engaged or work in any capacity on board foreign-registered ships and Philippine-registered ships operating internationally.”