PASAY CITY—Senators moved swiftly on Tuesday, February 10, to demand justice for the 51 victims of the MV Trisha Kerstin, turning the plenary session into a heated call for maritime reform. 

Lawmakers expressed outrage over the preventable loss of life, insisting that sea travel safety must be overhauled to prevent future disasters. 

The chamber echoed a unified sentiment: those responsible for the tragedy from ship owners to regulatory officials must face immediate and strict legal consequences.

During a privilege speech, Senator Robinhood Padilla turned emotional and slammed authorities for their "gross negligence" in enforcing existing safety protocols. 

Padilla highlighted a pattern of lack of oversight that allowed the vessel to sail despite clear risks, calling for an exhaustive investigation to uncover the root cause of the sinking. 

The Senate now prepares to summon transportation officials for a formal inquiry into the disaster.

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