News•Mar 20, 2026
A Damaged Culture: Manila’s Maritime Sector Uncovered
Manila’s maritime sector is plagued by entrenched corruption, where manning agents routinely skim pesos from seafarers’ dollar remittances and demand kickbacks from training centres. Cadets are relegated to unpaid “utility” roles, performing menial tasks while awaiting shipboard apprenticeships. Bribery accelerates bureaucratic processes, with officials openly pricing permits, and the maritime press trades editorial integrity for advertising revenue. These practices erode trust, depress earnings for Filipino seafarers, and tarnish the Philippines’ reputation as a leading supplier of maritime talent.
