Sunday, July 06, 2008 Cabaero: Another investigation By Nini B. Cabaero Beyond 30
THE House of Representatives will soon embark on an investigation into the sinking of the mv Princess of the Stars owned by the Sulpicio Lines Inc. Marathon hearings are expected to begin tomorrow, Monday.
This inquiry would be separate from what is already going on and what has been getting the people’s attention, the investigation by the Board of Marine Inquiry or BMI.
While the two investigations--by the BMI and by the House--would be separate in conduct and in purpose, it might not be wise to hold them concurrently. For the sake of not muddling the issues.
The House inquiry could wait for the official investigation to end and to come up with its findings on accountability before congressmen get into the picture to conduct their own marathon hearings.
Congressional hearings have a way of getting people glued to their television sets for every twist and turn because of the personalities conducting the inquiry and the usual lambasting of witnesses in telenovela fashion. Having the House inquiry while the official investigation by the BMI is going on could veer attention away from what is immediate and crucial.
House Speaker Prospero Nograles was quoted in reports as saying he endorsed a marathon hearing into the sinking of the vessel with the purpose of crafting new legislation on maritime and sea safety. The proposed legislation to come out of the hearings would be able to make laws reflective of the realities at sea. Nograles said the inquiry should find ways to “plug loopholes” in maritime laws.
Except that executive policies and guidelines might be needed more than new laws to improve the management of sea travel in the country. The question of who should have the final say in deciding whether or not to allow a vessel to sail in bad weather does not need a law for an answer.
This question has taken primacy in the official investigating being conducted, and the answer can be in the form of a policy or guideline whose implementation should be made consistent.
The House inquiry has the makings of one that would only take away focus from the official investigation that already, with the contending assertions of the different parties, has become tricky with the technicalities and blame-passing.
What should take priority outside of the official investigation are the needs of the families of the victims and the provinces that are still without electricity, food and water two weeks after the typhoon passed the country.
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Congratulations to our mentor, Sun.Star Cebu editor-in-chief Pachico A. Seares, for being honored with the Gawad Plaridel award by the University of the Philippines system. The award is given yearly to outstanding media practitioners.
This was the first time the award was given to a journalist outside of Metro Manila. The award to Seares has made community journalists proud.
