Setback after 5 years of waiting

“We’re disappointed. It’s been close to five years,” said lawyer Persida Acosta, chief of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

But the PAO official said the government office would continue assisting families of vicitms who died in the 2008 sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars even after the Court of Appeals cleared a shipping executive of criminal liablity this month.

“Siempre, relatives are sad.  If our motion for reconsideration is denied, the case should be elevated to the Supreme Court,” she told CDN by phone yesterday.

She said the 29 complainants in the criminal case against Edgar Go, vice president for administration of SLI, are based in Luzon.  There would have been more but other relatives of victims couldn’t easily travel to Manila for the court case, she said.

“In fact, the prosecution already presented four witnesses before the RTC but Sulpicio filed an appeal,” she said with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima  named a respondent.

Several families, however, are still suing the shipping firm for damages.

A total of 62 civil cases are pending in Cebu courts and 71 cases are filed in Manila.

There were moves to consolidate the civil cases in one court, which caused delays in the resolution of the case.

“Magaling kasi magdelay yong kabila. (The other side is good at delaying the case),” said Acosta.

Acosta said the civil cases in Cebu are set for hearing while those in Manila are still at the pre-trial conference stage.

“Talagang mahirap humanap ng hustisya dito sa lupa. Sa langit lang mayroong hustisya. Kaya magtiwala tayo sa Dios. (It’s really difficult to find justice here on earth. Justice is realized in heaven alone. So let us trust in God),” she said.

Last year, at least six cases against SLI were dismissed by the court in Cebu after families and relatives of the victims received compensation from the shipping company and signed Release and Quitclaim forms which freed company officials from liability.

By siging, they waived the right of the victims’ families or relatives to pursue a second compensation.

SLI argued that the court had no jurisdiction over the case since the plaintiffs already received compensation after the sea tragedy. They said the amount represents full and complete benefits under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

The Princess of the  Stars capsized off Romblon in June 21, 2008.

The vessel sailed at the height of Typhoon Frank while en route to Cebu City with 820 people on board.

Only 32 survived.

Those who filed a civil suit against SLI are seeking damages from the company.

The plaintiffs, who were assisted by PAO, believed the company was negligent in allowing the vessel to sail even if they knew that MV  Princess  of the  Stars  would pass by provinces where the presence of Typhoon Frank is strongest.

Most of the civil cases are pending before RTC Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10.

Named respondents in the civil complaints were Princess of the Stars captain Florencio Marimon, who is reportedly dead; and shipping firm owners Enrique Go, president and Eusebio Go, executive vice president.

Also included were Carlos Go, executive vice president and chief executive officer; Victoriano Go, senior vice president and Dominador Go, Ricardo Go, Edward Go, and Edgar Go, all first vice president. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter