Press Release - Transcript of interview Senator Risa Hontiveros on CNN PH's The Source with Pinky Webb

Q: It's already been known according to the DFA through the spokesperson, Ambassador Daza that they are making all diplomatic representations. The Department of Migrant Workers or DMW also saying they are constantly in touch with the families of the hostages. Are you satisfied with the government's move? Or do you have any suggestions on what needs to be done?

SRH: Well, first of all thank God talaga. Salamat sa Diyos ligtas sila. That was my first call to the DFA and DMW when this crisis was first brought to all our attention. And I hope that throughout this hostage-taking that both departments stayed in close touch with the families of our 17 kababayan to keep them updated, especially on the efforts that have now borne fruit in their safe rescue or release.

I hope that they will eventually be brought home safely to their families and to our country. At kapag nangyari na yun, I hope, especially DMW, will step up to rehabilitate, including through psychosocial counselling and reintegration after this traumatic incident. At sana para maiwasan moving forward further incidents like this. It just brings to our attention how urgent passing legislation is like the Magna Carta of Seafarers.

At sana doon sa batas na iyon, which we will be working on in bicam, pushing it towards passage, sana manatiling sentro ng batas na ito ang ating mga seafarers. I continue to pray with all our kababayan that if our 17 Pinoy seafarers so far are safe that they can be rescued and brought home to their families and to our country.

Q: Senator, you are a co-author of the Magna Carta of Seafarers, if I'm not mistaken?

SRH: Yes, very proud co-author.

Q: Tell us how this will protect our seafarers.

SRH: It will be the first Philippine law giving flesh to our international commitments to uphold and promote and protect the rights and welfare of FIlipino seafarers as working people, sea-based overseas Filipino workers. Their rights and welfare vis-a-vis their employers, the shipping companies, their rights and welfare in relation to the manning agencies that are really lording it over thes sector, their rights and welfare in terms of our government and the host governments of their shipping