Officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are facing complaints of violating the Anti-Graft Law (RA 3019), the Code of Conduct for Public Officials (RA 6713), and RA 9295 (Domestic Shipping Act) before the Ombudsman over the alleged irregular approval of Landing Craft Tank (LCT) barges to carry passengers.
The issue stems from a complaint filed by the Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA), which claims MARINA issued an advisory that allowed cargo-type LCT barges to operate as passenger ships.
PISA said the questioned advisory, issued in February 2025, legalized the continued operation of LCT barges even though existing laws and maritime regulations prohibit cargo vessels from being converted into passenger carriers.
The group stressed that LCTs were never designed to carry people and are primarily used for hauling heavy equipment, minerals, and construction materials.
“LCT barges are never engineered nor structured for the safe transport of passengers,” PISA stated in its complaint dated September 5, 2025.
The association warned that allowing these barges to carry passengers undermines safety standards under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and MARINA’s own circulars.
PISA also alleged that the advisory contradicted Republic Act 9295, which mandates MARINA to regulate shipping in the country and encourage investments in safe and modern RoRo passenger vessels.
According to the complaint, the signed advisory differed significantly from the draft previously presented to MARINA’s board and allegedly singled out a class of LCT operators for exemption from established regulations.
The shipping association argued that the move unfairly favored non-compliant LCT operators while penalizing legitimate RoRo companies that invested heavily to meet safety standards.
PISA listed 52 LCT vessels currently operating as passenger carriers under what it claims are irregular circumstances.
PISA is asking the Ombudsman to investigate Administrator Sonia Malaluan and other officials who allegedly pushed for the implementation of the questioned advisory.
If the complaints lead to formal charges and conviction, the respondent MARINA officials could face criminal and administrative sanctions including dismissal from service, fines, and imprisonment under existing anti-graft laws.