Thursday, August 28, 2008 DOJ to assess BMI report on ferry tragedy
JUSTICE Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. said he will form a panel of prosecutors that will evaluate the BMI findings that put Sulpicio Lines Inc. criminally liable for the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars last June 21.
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 officers of the shipping firm.
"We are closely studying the BMI (Board of Marine Inquiry) report and we recommend the filing of criminal charges if the situation warrants," he said.
The BMI earlier said that Sulpicio's negligence should be reason enough for the revocation of its certificate of public convenience (CPC), the permit allowing the company to transport people on its ships.
Gonzalez said such recommendations should be studied closely as the cancellation of the CPC tantamount to the scrapping of Sulpicio's franchise to operate could have a severe impact on the county's marine transport system.
The act of revoking the franchise of Sulpicio is also lodged at the Congress.
Gonzalez said the panel could only recommend to Congress whether or not to revoke the franchise.
Sulpicio's fleet is about 30 percent of the country's merchant marine fleet and removing this tonnage from service could trigger a shipping shortage, the justice chief pointed out. (ECV/Sunnex)
