Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo (center) (Rep. Salo's office)

A pro-overseas Filipino workers (OFW) solon believes that the ratification by the House and the Senate of the Third Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers will put an end to the practice of "ambulance-chasing" in the sector. 

“This landmark legislation reaffirms the Philippine government's commitment in protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers, particularly in tackling ambulance-chasing," Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said in a statement. 

"The era of ambulance chasers that has long plagued the PH maritime industry and tarnished the image of the country abroad will now come to an end,” Salo underscored. 

In the seafaring industry, ambulance-chasing is the unlawful act of sweet-talking seafarers back from deployment to file exorbitant claims against their former employers and demand compensation for alleged injuries or illnesses during employment. 

The monetary awards by lower tribunals are split by the group, leaving the seafarer with a pittance. In cases of reversal of the decision by higher courts, however, the seafarer is left alone to restitute the wrongful award. 

After thorough discussions and deliberations on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill (SB) No. 2221 and House Bill (HB) No. 7325, the Bicameral Conference Committee, of which Salo is a member, has decided to include Section 59. 

“Section 59 is a significant milestone in our efforts in protecting our seafarers from the predatory practice of ambulance-chasers. This provision ensures that justice is served efficiently and fairly to our kababayans,” emphasized the veteran solon. 

The same section focuses on establishing rules and procedures for the fair, speedy, and equitable resolution of monetary awards for seafarers, ensuring that those who exploit legal claims for personal gain are held accountable. 

It provides a mechanism to prevent the abuse of the legal process for monetary gains at the expense of the seafarers. 

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), in coordination with the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), will create rules to ensure fair and prompt handling of seafarers' monetary awards, including measures to prevent ambulance chasing and ensure accountability in line with RA 10706, the Labor Code, and other relevant regulations. 

The Magna Carta also includes additional measures to address ambulance-chasing, such as the establishment of a clear process for determining disability grading or fitness to work, timely payment of verified claims, provision of free legal assistance to seafarers, the establishment of seafarers lounges/hubs in key strategic areas, and an intensified education campaign to inform seafarers about their rights and protections. 

Salo commended the unwavering commitment of the stakeholders in the passage of the measure. 

“I greatly thank the seafarer unions, manning agencies, shipowners and their representatives for their steadfast support and relentless efforts for the passage of the bill. Indeed, the collaboration of all these stakeholders who are united in their desire to protect the seafaring industry played a vital role for the approval of the measure," he said. 

“We are very confident that this measure will boost the marketability of Filipino seafarers among international shipowners and employers, and will create more high paying employment opportunities for our people,” concluded Salo.