Sunday, November 09, 2008 Petitioners in case vs. SLI face 2 early roadblocks
BEFORE hearing on the civil suits filed against Sulpicio Lines, Inc. (SLI) over the Princess of the Stars tragedy can begin, the petitioners have two roadblocks to overcome.
SLI has opposed the consolidation of the cases and has moved for their dismissal as well.
Last Thursday, a hearing was scheduled for SLI’s motion to dismiss in connection with the civil suit filed by Aileen Ponpon, a teacher who lost her husband in the June 21 sinking.
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Soliver Peras, who will hear Ponpon’s case, had the motion to dismiss submitted for resolution.
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Cebu Chief Maria G-Ree Calinawan said that SLI has already filed similar motions concerning at least 10 other civil suits that have been filed in the RTC Cebu.
The PAO has already submitted its comment on SLI’s opposition to the PAO’s motion to have all civil suits in RTC Cebu consolidated before Peras’ court.
PAO assured the court that consolidation would mean that there would be “no repetition” of testimonies by the same witnesses in court.
It also answered SLI’s remark that the PAO had been “overzealous” in filing the civil suits.
“The allegation that PAO is overzealous in filing these cases is a gratuitous remark and a clear violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility,” PAO stated.
Government
It further stated, “The solemn duty of the PAO is to extend free legal aid to indigents and to other persons upon orders of proper government authorities.”
Earlier, SLI had challenged PAO to sustain the effort they have exerted so far and to “not beat a hasty retreat now by supplicating the courts for consolidation of cases.”
While the cases filed over the Princess of the Stars tragedy have yet to take off, those filed 10 years ago for the sinking of SLI’s vessel Princess of the Orient are stalling amid contested resolutions.
Last Sept. 1, RTC Judge Generosa Labra had ordered SLI to pay nearly P23 million in a suit filed by Ricardo and Geraldine Ocampo, Manuel and Marietta Abelgas, Merce-lino and Felisa Bauya, Pedro and Beatriz Laurente, Manuel Cui, Praxedes Llenos, Narcisa Cacafranca and Virgilio Lano for the Sept. 18, 1998 sinking of the Orient. (KAB)
