Philippines: Seafarers Protection Act (Anti-Ambulance Chasing Act)
The ANGKLA Seafarer’s Protection Act (also known as Anti-Ambulance Chasing Act) was signed by President Aquino on 26 November 2015, effective from 16 December 2015. The law is intended to protect seafarers in the Philippines from exploitative fee arrangements and acts of claimant ambulance chasing.
We are awaiting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which define the details of the law, which are expected to be published in the next few months. The Seafarers Protection Act does not have retrospective effect.
It is hoped that one effect of the Act will be to stop claimant lawyers from engaging in ambulance chasing or soliciting from seafarers in pursuit of any claim against an employer for compensation. The act is also intended to limit any legal fees to 10% of the compensation or benefit awarded to the seafarer. The penalty for violation of the act shall be punishable by fine of no less that Pesos 50,000, but not exceeding Pesos 100,000 or by imprisonment of up to two years or both fine and imprisonment .
Further information in respect of the implementation of the act shall be available once the implementing rules and regulations have been set.