NEWS BRIEFS

Palma comforts victims’ kin

FIFTEEN families of the victims of the 2008 MV Princess of the Stars sinking met with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma for consolation in their fight for justice and compensation yesterday.

Running priest Rev. Fr. Robert Reyes, who arranged for the meeting, said the families “were hopeful” about their case and needed spiritual guidance from Palma.

The priest said the families requested Palma to intervene and ask President Benigno Aquino III to finish the retrieval of the remains in the seas of Romblon where the ship sank.

“The archbishop promised to open the doors of the archdiocese to the victims,” Reyes said.

The families of the victims reiterated its request for Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI), presently named Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp., to fulfill its obligation to the victims.

The cases were consolidated and remain pending before Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10.

A Manila court is also hearing legal suits against Sulpicio over the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars.

The MV Princess of the Stars capsized off Romblon at the height of Typhoon Frank while enroute to Cebu City with 820 people on board. Only 32 survived. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol

Falsification of documents

A Cebu City Hall treasurer officer was indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on charges of falsification of public documents.

The treasury officer named Iolani Baracao was investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visyas (NBI-7) following complaints about the proliferation of fake Cebu City business permits.

A Carbon Market stall owned by a certain Flora Arquillano was ordered closed after the NBI-7 saw that the signatures on her permit were forged.

The NBI-7 said the business permit was printed by utility worker Conception Bartiquin of Cebu City Hall back in 2005.

Arquillano reportedly entrusted one Corazon Tumulak to process her business permit in 2005.

Tumulak then requested Baracao, a former classmate, to help her in the renewal of the permit.

The NBI-7 said it was Baracao who allegedly gave Tumulak the mayor’s business permit, which turned out to be fake.

The Ombudsman dismissed the charges against Bartiquin for lack of probable cause. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol

Support for judge

A REGIONAL Trial Court (RTC) judge received support from the Cebu community days after he was sanctioned by the Supreme Court for “undue delays” in resolving a motion filed by a former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director in Central Visayas.

RTC Judge Meinrado Paredes stepped down as RTC Executive Judge after the High Tribunal found him liable for incompetence in failing to resolve a motion filed by former NBI-7 Director Florencio Villarin.

In its resolution, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter cited Judges Paredes and Bienvenido Saniel for their independence, integrity and competence and their stance against corruption.

Paredes and Saniel were fined P10,000 each. They are seeking reconsideration of the Supreme Court ruling.

Copies of the IBP Cebu City resolution will be submitted to Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, Office of the Court Administrator, IBP National President and the IBP Board of Governors. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol