PAMI files petition vs Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers

PAMI files petition vs Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers
Yashika F. Torib April 23, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/04/23/business/maritime/pami-files-peti...

THE Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI) has filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) challenging Republic Act 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, citing potential negative impact on maritime education and training.

The petition challenges Sections 75, 76 and 78, citing infringements on academic freedom and criticizing the transfer of regulatory authority from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

"[This] represents an overreach of state control that undermines the autonomy of maritime higher education institutions (MHEIs) in areas such as curriculum, admissions, and governance," PAMI said in a statement.

It also seeks to nullify Chapter XVIII of the law, arguing that its provisions unconstitutionally expand the law's scope from protecting seafarers to regulating maritime education.

Accordingly, this violates the constitutional rule that a bill must embrace only one subject.

PAMI stressed that the merging of two distinct subjects — seafarers' rights and maritime education — has already led to confusion and delayed establishment of clear implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

The association emphasized that the legal challenge aims to uphold academic integrity and safeguard maritime education standards, not to oppose the rights of seafarers.

Meanwhile, Marina said that until a decision is released by the Court, it will have to implement the provisions of the Magna Carta's IRR.

"We welcome the filing of Certiorari and Prohibition by the PAMI to the Court. If a main case will be filed and eventually decided, this will resolve numerous issues that left the industry almost divided.

"Marina looks forward and welcomes decision of the Court. Meanwhile, [we] will have to implement the necessary provisions of the IRR of the Magna Carta of Seafarers," it said.