Six years after Princess of the Stars’ sinking, proceedings still snagged by technicalities

It has been six years since she lost her husband who was among those who perished when MV Princess of the Stars sank off Romblon.

But the pain has not abated for Aileen Ponpon, a 40-year-old public school teacher from barangay Apas in Cebu City.

“Nadawat na nako nga patay na siya. Pero naguol gihapon ko. I know justice will come soon. (I already accepted that he’s dead. But the pain is still here),” she said.

Ponpon was among 40 people who yesterday gathered in Cebu City to commemorate their loved ones who died in the sea mishap.

She brought her seven-year-old child who was a year old when the tragedy took place in June 21, 2008.

The group gathered at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and walked to the nearby Malacañang sa Sugbo where they lit candles and threw flower petals to the sea. Afterwards, they proceeded to Plaza Independencia and attended a Mass officiated by Fr. Robert Reyes, who is known as the activist “running priest”.

Bringing white balloons with the statement “Justice for MV Princess of the Stars Victims,” some shared their experiences in coping with losing a loved one.

The sixth anniversary of the tragedy should have been last June 21. But the group based in Cebu opted to hold it yesterday.

In Cebu City, a total of 63 cases were filed in court. Four of these cases were dismissed in other courts. The Public Attorney’s Office is contesting the ruling before the Court of Appeals.

In all dismissed cases, the courts took into consideration the “Release and Quitclaim Deed” signed by the families.

The court said signing the quitclaim deed waives the right of the victims’ families to pursue a second compensation. The dismissed cases are being reviewed by the Court of Appeals.

In Manila, 71 cases in relation to the sinking of the Princess of the Stars were filed. Not one case has been dismissed thus far.

UNLOAD CASES

Executive Judge Soliver Peras of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court recently let go of 59 cases in relation to Princess of the Stars.

In an order, Peras granted the request of Sulpicio Lines Inc. (now known as Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp.) to transfer the cases to another court as provided under the Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR).

He ordered that the cases be raffled off to another judge.

Court rules state that the judge who tried to settle the issues through the JDR must “unload the case” and transfer it to another court, unless both parties agree to let him resolve the main case.

The rationale behind the rule is that the previous judge may have discovered information during the settlement proceedings that may affect the main case.

Maria Gree Calinawan, regional director of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), said they would have wanted Judge Peras to continue handling the case.

But Sulpicio’s lawyers asked Judge Peras to unload all the cases since he handled the JDR.

“The judge who handled the JDR can still proceed with the trial as long as both parties agree to it. In this case, Sulpicio lawyers don’t want Judge Peras to conduct the trial,” Calinawan told CDN.

Levi Samuele, whose cousin and three-year-old niece died in the sea mishap, encouraged his companions not to lose hope in spite of the slow-paced justice system in the country.

“Huwag tayong bumitaw. Magkaisa tayo at isipin ang ating mga kamag-anak na namatay. Ang sigaw natin: laban. (We should not give up. Let us unite and remember our loved ones who perished. Our battle cry: fight),” said Samuel who flew from Manila to Cebu to attend yesterday’s activity.

The Princess of the Stars owned by Sulpicio Lines left the port of Manila en route to Cebu at the height of typhoon Frank.

The ship had 820 passengers and crew on board. It capsized off Romblon on June 21, 2008. Only 32 survived.

Related Stories:

PRINCESS OF THE STARS SINKING: Sulpicio top executive still absolved of criminal charges 

A day with dead bodies, people desperate to live

 

 

TAGS: