The Senate Committee on Public Services opened an inquiry Thursday into the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off Basilan as it eyes tightening public transport safety laws.
During the hearing, lawmakers questioned Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) officials and shipping executives over regulatory and operational lapses that led to the January 26 accident, which killed 52 passengers.
“Those who are responsible must be held accountable. We do not want this cycle to continue. Where gaps in policy and enforcement are identified, this committee will not hesitate to recommend legislative or regulatory action,” said Senator Raffy Tulfo, the committee chair.
Tulfo demanded accountability from Aleson Shipping Lines executives and negligent regulators, pointing out that the 31-year-old vessel was past its retirement age.
Currently, all vessels of the shipping firm are grounded, but the senator said the company and its owners will still face prosecution for neglecting safety.
“Reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide—that should be the case filed against them,” he said, adding that criminal charges will also be filed against negligent MARINA and Philippine Coast Guard officials.
Senator Robinhood Padilla, for his part, called for more frequent and stringent inspections of passenger vessels.
Padilla noted that MARINA’s 100 inspectors are tasked with surveying about 20,000 Philippine-registered ships more than once a year, but current inspections remain insufficient.
“I hope they do their job of inspecting. After all, people’s lives are at stake,” he said.
Senator Loren Legarda also pressed for stronger measures to prevent sea tragedies as she questioned MARINA over the seaworthiness and passenger capacity of the sunken vessel.
“This is not a one-time occurrence. It is a bad habit—negligence by government agencies,” she said.
According to the Department of Transportation, the ferry carried more passengers than listed on its manifest and exceeded its authorized capacity.
Assistant Secretary Manuel Cabochan III said the vessel was authorized to carry 352 passengers, but both survivors and those who died included individuals not on the manifest.
The agency also discovered cargo overloading, with some items not weighed, which may have contributed to the vessel’s instability.
“The lashings were broken, causing the rolling cargo to shift. Despite the safety violations, the question is why it was allowed to sail. On that point, we find there was neglect of duty,” Cabochan said.
Meanwhile, Aleson Shipping representative Nelson Tan said the company released financial assistance to passengers and their families, but victims disputed the adequacy and timeliness of the aid.
“The public deserves clear answers, and the Senate will ensure that accountability is pursued,” Tulfo said.
