Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Editorials: Probing Princess of the Stars sinking
THE sinking of mv Princess of the Stars no doubt has been the top story of the country for the past several days (just check Sun.Star Cebu’s issues the past week).
Trapos can well note this, that is why some sectors immediately consider the fact-finding inquiry on the sinking by the House committee on transportation as obnoxious.
Why would the House of Representatives insist on conducting an investigation when another government entity, the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI), is doing it already?
Because the probe is one sure-fire way to generate publicity for a politician?
Complication
In a way, there is sense to the objection because of the possibility that instead of the two investigations running parallel these will cross paths and create complications.
Information unearthed may clash, and so too conclusions and recommendations.
This may also be taxing to witnesses or resource persons who may have to repeat narrations of a tragic experience and may be subjected to the same type of questions.
That’s why a unified and therefore more systematic investigation is preferred.
Rationale
Congressmen, though, have been wise and careful enough to wrap with good intention whatever political or personal motives
they may have in their probe.
Investigation in aid of legislation, for example, is the usual defense.
Who will argue, for example, with this investigation goal: regulations and guidelines will be scrutinized and clearly defined and a clear set of sanctions put in place.
Another relevant task is the issuance of congressional franchises to utility firms.
Flip side
To be fair to the House, the publicity seeking can also be beneficial to the victims and their families and in the usual quest for both truth and justice.
The BMI investigation, for example, has still to unearth anything substantial on the reason the ship sank and may not be able to totally unveil the truth about the incident.
House probers have vowed to go into the heart of the various issues, like the seaworthiness of the ship, insurance claims of the victims, permit to operate sea routes, etc.
But first, they must not compete with and instead forge links with BMI probers.
