SC asked to reverse order for judge’s inhibition from ‘Princess’ case

The Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO) asked the Supreme Court to reverse a Court of Appeals’ decision ordering Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 49 Judge Daniel C. Villanueva to inhibit from the case where he awarded P241-million in damages to victims in the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy over seven years ago.

In a 70-page petition, PAO said the appeals court erred in granting the appeal filed by Sulpicio Lines Inc. (now Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation) questioning Villanueva’s dismissal of their motion to inhibit.

The appeals court ordered Villanueva’s inhibition from the case and ordered the Manila Executive Judge to reraffle the case to another judge.

“Hon. Villanueva’s inhibition at the end stage of the trial proceedings is undoubtedly antithetical to the speedy administration of justice; worse, it is highly prejudicial to the victims of the tragedy as it intends to abort the execution proceedings,” the petition stated.

Villanueva, in his decision awarding the P241-million in damages to victims of said “a conscientious and thorough perusal of plaintiffs’ evidence reveals that the cause of action and claims of the plaintiffs are meritorious.”

PAO Chief Persida Rueda Acosta said Sulpicio did not present any evidence or witnesses during the proceedings.

“Inhibition of Hon. Villanueva, therefore, is adverse to the speedy resolution of cases and the speedy administration of justice…Notably, the RTC case is now subject to execution proceedings precisely because of the final and executory nature of the RTC decision as stated above. Therefore, the inhibition would have the effect of aborting the execution of the decision,” Acosta said.

Acosta added that inhibition of a judge in a case should be voluntary as provided under Section 1, Rule 137 of the Rules of Court.

She explained that the CA’s special 16th division should have dismissed the petition of Sulpicio for its failure to attach pertinent records as required by rules.

Acosta added that the judge did not commit any act to warrant his inhibition from the case.

“Honorable Judge Villanueva was rightfully, effectively and efficiently supervising and overseeing the trial of the case. His opinions and initial assessment, being based on the evidence so far presented and the conduct he observed during trial, do not necessarily amount to bias and prejudice,” she added.

The criminal case against Sulpicio executives and officers remains pending with the Manila RTC.

In October 2014, the high court reversed an earlier appeals court ruling that effectively exonerated Sulpicio’s first vice-president for administration Edgar Go in the reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide case.

The MV Princess of the Stars capsized on June 21, 2008 into the waters off Sibuyan Island in Romblon during the onslaught of the typhoon “Frank.” Out of the 851 passengers and crew onboard, only 32 survived.