Sunday, September 07, 2008 (Philippines)

VERY CEBUANO. A female dancer of the widely acclaimed Tribu Lumad Basakanon holds on to a statue of the Sto. Niño as they perform a ritual during the opening of the Milo Little Olympics at the Cebu City Sports Center. (Sun.Star Photo/Alex Badayos) WITH 15 suits filed against Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) in Cebu as of Friday, the total claims raised against the shipping firm over the mv Princess of the Stars sinking last June 21 reached P163.432 million. The figure, contained in a consolidated report released by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) 7, excludes claims for attorney’s fees. With more forthcoming cases against the company, the amount is expected to grow. PAO 7 Director Ma. G-Ree Calinawan said families of at least 10 crew members and seven people who worked in shops in the ship are also consolidating a multi-million-peso claim of their own. [full story]