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FMJ urged to return ambulance chasing in Magna Carta for seafarers
By J.Lo
“Ambulance chasing” refers to lawyers who reportedly persuade seafarers or workers injured on the job to seek monetary damages from their employers.
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to again include Section 59 on ambulance chasing in Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Law.
Before Marcos signs measure, Section 59 or exclusion of judgment and monetary awards must be included again, ICS and IMEC said in three-page open letter.
They said “stakes are simply too high” on ambulance chasing.
“Our global network of shipowners and operators was very disappointed by removal of Section 59 from the Magna Carta in May this year… removal of that well-balanced legislative provision puts at serious risk position of Philippines as world’s leading labor supply country,” they said.
ICS and IMEC also claimed that as of September 2023, quantifiable damage from ambulance chasing unrecovered amount due back to shipowners by way of garnishment and restitution of legal cases of Filipino seafarers had already reached $52.6 million, according to International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs.
“Regrettably, those seafarers that genuinely deserve lawful disability benefits are also not receiving them, as greater portion is retained by ambulance chasers,” they said.
Section 59 was deleted from Senate Bill 2221 and House Bill 7325 during May 20 bilateral conference committee hearing
In 2022 and 2023, Marcos reportedly heeded calls for long-term resolution on ambulance chasing and formed in January 2023 International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs, tasked with giving expert advice on major maritime issues affecting Filipino seafarers.
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