Monday, August 11, 2008 (Philippines)

Rep. Antonio Cuenco (above right, with lawyer Clarence Paul Oaminal), says a congressional investigation is being delayed by the Board of Marine Inquiry’s failure to submit its report. Last Saturday night, Sulpicio’s Princess of the Earth, bearing cargo, was cleared to sail for Butuan. (Sun.star photo/\Allan Defensor) THERE’S something “fishy” about a delayed report on the sinking of the Princess of the Stars, if you ask Rep. Antonio Cuenco. The Cebu City south district representative said in a press conference yesterday that he will “urge, even demand” Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Men-doza to show Congress the findings of the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) on the June 21 tragedy. He said this in front of Hannilyn Garces and Ruel Javier, relatives of Princess of the Stars victims who have come to stand as representatives of the bereaved families in Cebu. [full story]