MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) Citing the need for a "dispassionate and unbiased" investigation into the tragedy involving a ferry that capsized off Romblon province at the height of typhoon Frank's (international codename: Fengshen) fury over the weekend, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has proposed the exclusion of two government agencies from the inquiry.

Gonzalez made the proposal during Tuesday's meeting of the National

Disaster Coordinating Council in Malacañang where he said that the

Philippine Coast Guard and the Marina (Maritime Industry Authority) should inhibit themselves from the investigation by a Malacañang-formed task force.

But Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza thumbed down Gonzalez's suggestion, saying that PCG and Marina members in the task force were retired officials and have the competence to look into the matter.

Mendoza said there was no need for the two agencies to inhibit.

"During our meeting, we made sure that they are competent enough to handle this investigation and make sure that no biases are introduced in the investigation," Mendoza said in a news conference after the meeting.

Amid perceptions that the government was going too soft on the vessel's owner, Sulpicio Lines, Gonzalez said it was important for the investigation body to be "really impeccable, to remove the suspicion of the people."

"We have no objection to the names mentioned as members [of the task force], but the Coast Guard is there and Coast Guard is probably part of the probable probe that would be conducted, maybe MARINA. I am just raising this issue because this would be for the greater interest of the nation and for the administration as well," said Gonzalez.

"In other countries, [the officials] retire or go on leave pending investigations. Maybe, it would be good for the government's own perception by the public that these things are being done not necessarily because we want to protect others, but because we have to see to it that there is really a dispassionate probe being undertaken," he added.

He said that the Coast Guard and even Marina could be involved when they allowed the MV Princess of the Stars to leave Manila despite the typhoon.

"Don't they have anything to do with this? For example Marina and

Coast Guard, don't they have anything to do with this?" he asked.

The Coast Guard and Marina are members of the task force that was created Monday.

Transportation undersecretary Elena Bautista, head of the task force, reported Tuesday on the plan of action the task force would take when it investigates the incident and assists the victims.

Asked if there was need for Coast Guard chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo

Tamayo to file a leave of absence, Mendoza said, "We have taken note of this sentiment and we are conducting a study on that. …What I'm really evaluating is the absence of leadership in the Coast Guard and the other is, while the Coast Guard in itself is under investigation, Admiral Tamayo is not the one responsible in clearing the ship to sail on that Friday night of the typhoon."

During the Cabinet meeting, Mendoza noted that the country's weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services

Administration (PAG-ASA) also played a major role in notifying the maritime sector on the exact path of the typhoon.

"Typhoon path changes, so how fast can PAGASA advise the maritime sector?" he said.

PAGASA director Prisco Nilo said that "typhoon forecasting was not an exact science."

Vice President Noli de Castro said the blame should not be trained at the weather bureau.

Since typhoons do not last long in the country and affect some areas usually for only 24 hours, De Castro said it would be better to ground vessels for the safety of the passengers.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said agencies should stop blaming each other and focus on the investigation.

"Just set it aside while we are waiting for developments and let the proper agency of the government make the recommendation later on," he said.

The MV Princess of the Stars, with more than 800 passengers and crew aboard, capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon Sunday, after being battered by big waves spawned by Frank.

Reports said over 50 survivors and more than a dozen bodies have been

recovered as search and rescue operations continued.