SOME lawmakers questioned on Thursday the "inappropriate" filing of murder cases against the owner and captain of the ill-fated M/B Kim Nirvana-B.
At the House inquiry into the latest maritime accident, Antipolo City Representative Romeo Acop said the murder cases filed against ship owner Joge Bung Zarco and captain Warren Oliverio were not appropriate because the accident did not intend to kill the passengers of the motorboat.
He said it was possible that the cases against the two will not prosper.
At least 62 bodies were recovered after a motorized wooden-hulled boat capsized 700 meters away from the port of Ormoc City last July 2.
Pampanga Representative Joseller Guiao said cases of gross negligence resulting in multiple homicide should have been filed against Oliverios and Zarco and members of the coast guard vessel boarding and inspection team.
The vessel boarding and inspection team of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) allowed the boat to sail on July 2 even as the number of passengers exceeded the boat's capacity based on its safety clearance.
"Mas more sa kapabayaan 'to eh. I think mas mapananagot natin yung mga responsible kung tamang charges ang ipa-file sa kanila," said Guiao.
Oliverio and Zarco have been placed under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Ormoc City since last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo urged the national government to create an independent fact finding board that will investigate the latest sea mishap.
Castelo said the current investigation being done by the PCG "is not in the position to dispense objective truths" as they have become subjects of probe by giving out conflicting statements during the inquiry.
"How can we achieve a credible and honest finding of facts when the government agencies conducting the investigation as they themselves are subject of the inquiry," said Castelo.
He said that the investigative body should be composed of the committees on transportation of both the House and the Senate, as well a private individuals who have integrity in the aviation and maritime industry as well as academic and business experts in transportation.
The lawmaker also urged his colleague to fast track the passage of the proposed measure that will create the National Transportation Safety Board.
(Sunnex)