Monday, June 30, 2008 Nogie wants Sulpicio punished By Ben O. Tesiorna
HOUSE Speaker Prospero Nograles urged the national government to punish Sulpicio Lines for the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy that killed hundreds and endangered thousands more due to danger posed by the chemical inside the vessel.
In a statement, Nograles said he also ordered the House Transportation Committee chaired by Bacolod Representative Monico Puentebella to conduct a marathon inquiry to get into the bottom of the tragedy that struck MV Princess of the Stars.
"Sea disasters that claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos will continue to hound the country's maritime industry as long as there is no clear and absolute resolve to punish those who should be held accountable for such unnecessary loss of human life," Nograles said.
The Speaker insisted that the government should now see to it that everyone who is responsible for the MV Princess tragedy will be punished for their negligence and outright disregard for the safety of passengers.
"Their negligence and outright disregard for the safety of passengers because of greed for profit has caused immeasurable pain for the love ones of those who perished in MV Princess of the Stars. Heads should roll and those government officials and agencies who will be found negligent in supervision and command responsibility must answer, together with the ship owners," Nograles said.
The Dabawenyo Speaker said that the House of Representatives will not let this issue fade away.
"That's why I ordered the House transport committee Chaired by Congressman Monico Puentebella to investigate ASAP in marathon sessions and to throw the book at those who appear to be responsible including Department of Transportation officials," he added.
Apart from looking at the culpability of maritime authorities, transportation officials and the management of Sulpicio Lines, Nograles said that the inquiry should also be aimed at instituting legislations that will strengthen the country's present maritime laws.
He said that Congress must undertake an immediate comprehensive review of the country's maritime policies and laws to "stop the never-ending cycle of sea tragedies" as he noted that more than 5,000 innocent lives have already been claimed by these disasters in the last 21 years.
