May 2025 elections: Candidates weigh in on maritime issues (did they make it?)

Candidates weigh in on maritime issues
Yashika F. Torib May 14, 2025 https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/14/business/maritime/candidates-weig...

THREE political candidates who vied for national positions in the 2025 Philippine midterm elections weighed in on the most pressing maritime industry challenges and disclosed political platforms that will address this.

Senatorial candidate Benjamin Abalos Jr., Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colmenares, and veteran ship captain Relly Jose Jr. laid out their plans for the maritime industry should they win the May 12 elections.

In an online forum hosted by Vista Maritima, the said political candidates vowed to protect Filipino seafarers and improve the domestic shipping industry.

Abalos stated in a recorded video that the industry's most pressing concerns are outdated ports, old ships, steep logistical costs, and lack of protection for Filipino seafarers.

He vowed to champion the modernization of ports, promote safer ships, and support the country's blue economy should he win as a senator.

Colmenares, on the other hand, focused on addressing issues on domestic shipbuilding.

The human rights lawyer and activist said that strengthening the shipbuilding sector will impact all ancillary industries of maritime such as transportation, logistics, manning, and education and training.

Colmenares acknowledged the issues raised by Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP) president and IMP Shipyard founder Gaudencio Morales that there is a lack of locally sourced raw materials for ship building and repair.

"It is very strange. We are importing steel and iron when there are so many mines here in the country," he said.

Colmenares added that the government should be able to finance and provide incentives to local shipbuilders through the implementation of RA 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004.

"It is very important for us to address [the challenges of the] shipbuilding industry and rehabilitate our shipyards. The lack of infrastructure development causes port congestion," he added.

Colmenares also pledged to revisit the controversial provisions of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers should he win in the election.

Meanwhile, Jose, a veteran seafarer, emphasized the need for industry representation in the Senate.

Jose remarked on the numerous challenges facing the country's maritime industry to include the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

He commented that these can better be addressed with an industry expert, particularly a seafarer, in the Senate.

"No one will listen to us without a seafarer there," he said.

The online forum was hosted by Vista Maritima, an umbrella organization composed of industry stakeholders that aims to develop a national maritime agenda for an inclusive economic progress.

It was formed in 2016 by the Movement for Maritime Philippines (MMP), Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP), Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI), Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers, Inc (PAMTCI), and Women in Maritime Philippines (Wimaphil).