Victims vow to pursue civil cases vs Sulpicio

Families representing the victims of the 2008 sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars expressed dismay over the dismissal of the criminal charges against an official of the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp., formerly known as Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI).

Although only 29 individuals pursued the criminal complaint, they are worried since trial on various civil cases for damages they filed against SLI has not started yet.

“We’re all dismayed. It’s been five years since the incident happened but justice remains to be served. The cases are moving but the pacing is slow,” Rowena Barret told Cebu Daily News.

Like the rest of the complainants, Barret said she is not losing hope in their attempt to bring justice for her 28-year-old brother Arman who was among the 800 people who perished when MV Princess of the Stars capsized off the coast of Romblon province on June 21, 2008.

Barret, a resident of Talisay City, Cebu, said SLI should pay for 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 was strongest.

Her brother was on his way home from Manila to process papers required to work abroad.

Barret is seeking P5 million in monetary damages in court.

She already met with the counsel of SLI in court for the Judicial Dispute Reform (JDR), a procedure wherein judges try to settle the issues between the parties before conducting trial.

Manila-based Levy Samuele also underwent mediation proceedings with SLI. But it turned out unsuccessful.

Samuele told CDN that SLI was willing to shoulder the educational expenses of the victims’ children.

He said the shipping company also offered to give the victims’ families and relatives livelihood assistance in cash as long as they withdraw the charges against SLI.

He said the complainants turned down SLI’s offer and chose to pursue the civil case.

“Why did the offer came only now? The case has been pending for almost five years. We won’t back off. The legal battle continues,” he said.

Samuele’s brother Roy and his three-year-old niece Jaqueline Rhoz died when Princess of the Stars sank.

The Court of Appeals’s 15th division in Manila recently dismissed the criminal charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physicial injuries, and damage to properties against Edgar Go, vice president for administration of SLI.