Marina pressed to keep Sulpicio ships grounded

BY DENNIS GADIL

SEN. Pia Cayetano yesterday called on the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to enforce the recommendation of the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) late Tuesday to ground all inter-island vessels of Sulpicio Lines.

"Marina must now make sure that BMI’s recommendation to keep its vessels grounded is strictly enforced, and for proper authorities to pursue administrative, civil and criminal charges against the shipping line and others equally responsible," said Cayetano, chairperson of the committee on natural resources and the environment.

The BMI on Tuesday recommended that Marina suspend the certificate of public convenience (CPC) of Sulpicio Lines Inc. The CPC allows a company to operate.

BMI also found top Sulpicio executives as "contributory causes" to the capsizing of the passenger-cargo vessel MV Princess of the Stars last June 21 off Sibuyan island near Romblon province, causing the death of hundreds of passengers and crewmembers.

These executives are Enrique Go, SLI president; Carlos Go, chief executive officer and executive vice president; and, Edward Go, first vice president.

BMI also recommended to the Professional Regulation Commission to cancel/revoke the Master Mariner Board Registration of MV Princess Master Capt. Filemon Marimon, Cebu port Capt. Nestor Ponteres, and Manila port Capt. Benjamin Eugenio.

Cayetano said the completion of the BMI probe is just the initial step to bring justice to the victims of the sea tragedy.

Last August 5, Marina sparked an outrage when it lifted the grounding orders on Sulpicio passenger vessels MV Princess of the Earth and the MV Cotabato Princess.

Cayetano said Sulpicio’s cargo vessels were also allowed to resume operations last July 23, on the orders of President Arroyo as its continued suspension might adversely affect the flow of goods in the country.

She said the significance of the BMI findings came at a time when the government has showed disturbing signs of softening up on Sulpicio.

"If you ask me, that Marina order allowing Sulpicio’s passenger ships to sail again earlier this month was highly questionable and should be reversed. Our transportation officials owe the public and the victims an explanation," she said.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez will form a panel of prosecutors that will determine whether to file criminal and civil charges for negligence resulting to multiple homicide and serious physical injuries against the SLI officials.

Gonzalez said the BMI recommendation to cancel the CPC is tantamount to scrapping Sulpicio’s franchise to operate and could have a severe impact on the county’s marine transport system.

Sulpicio’s fleet accounts for about 30 percent of the country’s merchant marine fleet and removing this tonnage from service could triggered a shipping shortage, he said.

Gonzalez also said the act of revoking the franchise of Sulpicio is lodged with Congress. – With Evangeline de Vera