The new administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority on Wednesday vowed to vanquish what most seafarers and seaman's groups have been throwing at Marina—corruption.

"I want my administration to be characterized as corrupt-free, competent, and disciplined," Sonia Bautista Malaluan told hundreds of Job Orders and Contract of Service personnel in a meeting on Wednesday at the Marina Central Office in Manila.

"Love your job, perform it competently with integrity and professionalism. These are our core values," she added.

Despite this, Malaluan acknowledged the contributions of hundreds of contract personnel, the majority of whom are delivering frontline services, stating, "You are all a great help, especially to the frontline services. You are part of what Marina has accomplished in the last few years. Continuously, you contribute to the achievement of MARINA's tasks, missions, and the way we deliver our services to the public."

Malaluan, a service career official at Marina for 33 years, took over the position of Atty. Hernani Fabia who resigned from his post last week.

As the new administration aims to provide efficient services and operations, Malaluan stressed that her leadership is "open and transparent," ensuring personnel that their welfare is among the Agency's priorities.

Sources said that Malaluan was personally handpicked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after serving Marina for more than three decades.

"In appointing Malaluan, President Marcos cited her remarkable training and experience in economics, technology, finance, law, management, public utility and in other aspects of the maritime industry," Malaluan's appointment paper from Malacañang last 15 December 2023 read.

Malalunan served as Director II of Marina from May 2014 to November 2022; as Maritime Attaché to London in 2018; as Chief Accountant from December 2001 to April 2014; and as Chief Transportation Development Officer from February to December 2001.

A Certified Public Accountant, Malaluan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the Western Philippine College in 1987 with a master's degree in Science in Shipping Management from the World Maritime University, Sweden in 1998.

She also earned her master's degree in Public Administration from Singapore's National University, Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy in 2011.