Thursday, August 28, 2008 Sulpicio set to file appeal
SULPICIO Lines Inc. is preparing to fight the Board of Marine Inquiry’s (BMI) recommendation to suspend its franchise, even as Sen. Pia Cayetano said she wants the 35-year-old company to cease operations immediately.
Lawyer Arthur Lim said during the resumption of the Maritime Industry Authority’s (Marina) hearing that they plan to appeal the BMI’s recommendation, a QTV report said.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. will form a panel of prosecutors to evaluate the BMI’s findings.
The BMI found Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) criminally liable for the sinking of the Princess of the Stars last June 21, which killed about 800 passengers and crew.
In a press briefing, Gonzalez said the panel will determine whether or not to file criminal and civil charges for negligence resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries against the shipping firm’s officers.
Gonzalez said the panel can only recommend to Congress whether or not to revoke the SLI’s franchise and its certificate of public convenience, the permit that allows it to transport people.
Sulpicio’s fleet amounts to about 30 percent of the country’s merchant marine fleet, the justice chief pointed out.
Marina Administrator Vicente Suazo Jr. explained that the BMI’s recommendation is only an input for the Marina’s investigation on the accident.
It may be adopted or rejected, Suazo said.
Suazo also clarified that Marina’s decision to allow Sulpicio Lines vessels to provisionally ply their routes until November 2008 is still in effect.
If Sulpicio will comply with all the conditions set by Marina, his agency will conduct an evaluation in November. They may then permanently lift the order suspending SLI’s operations.
The BMI, which is under the Philippine Coast Guard, had investigated the explosion aboard the Superferry 14 of Aboitiz Transport Inc. But the BMI’s report in that case was set aside by Marina, which adopted the results of its own investigation.
“Sulpicio (Lines) should be allowed to continue sailing and let Marina and Coast Guard do the necessary monitoring for safety,” said Carlos Co, a former president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
Robert Go, also a CCCI former president, said that the BMI recommendation to permanently suspend Sulpicio’s operations would, if approved, be a big blow to the business sector.
“If Sulpicio is not allowed to sail indefinitely, then the coming Christmas season will be chaotic and there will be a shortage of food products and merchandise, for sure,” Go said.
This would also lead to higher shipping costs.
“It will create difficulties for the Visayas and Mindanao, which depend on ships for transport. I hope that the BMI will review its findings,” Go also said.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) criticized the BMI for laying the blame solely on Sulpicio.
“We are appalled by the utter disregard of the BMI for the economic hardship that its recommendation will bring to more than 3,000 workers who rely solely on the operations of the shipping line,” TUCP said.
“We are also confused by the apparent absolution of government agencies that are to be equally blamed for the accident,” TUCP added, referring to the Coast Guard, Marina and the Pag-asa weather bureau.
The labor federation called on Marina and the Department of Transportation and Communications to carefully evaluate the recommendation. (EOB/With Sunnex)
