Case vs Sulpicio owner revived

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has reinstated the petitions seeking to revive the case against Sulpicio Lines Inc. owner Edgar Go as one of the accused in the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars during a typhoon in 2008 when about 800 people died.

In a resolution made public Wednesday, the high court granted the motion for reconsideration filed by the government’s Office of the Solicitor General.

The government lawyers said they support the petition filed by some of the victims’ relatives asserting that Go should pay for failing to ensure the safety of passengers and for committing negligence by allowing the vessel to leave port despite the threat of Typhoon “Frank.”

MV Princess of the Stars. FILE PHOTO

The solicitor general’s plea sought a reversal of the high court’s July 2 resolution that upheld the Court of Appeals’ ruling dismissing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries and damage to properties which the justice department had filed against Go for the passenger ferry’s sinking on June 21, 2008, off Sibuyan Island, Romblon.

The OSG said the high court should “take a second hard look at the instant petition for review, reverse and reconsider its resolution, and exercise its discretionary power of appellate jurisdiction in this case.”

The government’s petition cited reversible errors committed by the Court of Appeals in clearing Go.

Prior to the OSG’s petition, relatives of the victims through the Public Attorney’s Office went to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Go.

The petition was dismissed outright by the high court.

With the revival of their petition, the high court ordered Go to comment on the case within 10 days upon receipt of the resolution.

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