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DOJ probes waiver row at Sulpicio compound


MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday started an investigation into a row involving the signing of waivers for compensation by kin of victims of the capsized MV Princess of the Stars. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez warned Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the capsized vessel, that it may face sanctions for violating legal ethics if proven that it was involved. “They may not be committing any crime but it can aggravate their situation because that shows they are in bad faith. If they are in bad faith then that should mean something if the case is filed already in court,” he said. Gonzalez also stressed the special power of attorney (SPA) documents will be deemed invalid if they did not specify the name of the lawyer who will be granted such powers. “The families of victims should be cautioned from dealing with these people. If there is any doubt on their part, they can seek the assistance of the Public Attorneys’ Office. Read and inquire first before they do any signing,” he said. Earlier, PAO chief Persida Acosta said victims' relatives are being made to sign waivers where they risk giving up even their right to claim a P200,000 settlement. Interviewed on dzBB radio, Acosta said the signing went on during the last two days when PAO lawyers were kept out of the premises of Sulpicio Lines Inc. in Port Area in Manila. Acosta said the SPA would have allowed the unnamed attorney-in-fact to receive money, encash checks, and execute documents on behalf of the relatives who signed them. "Paano hahabulin kung di kilala? Baka fixer ang nagpapapirma sa kanila (How will they go after the person who took their money? This looks like a fixer's racket)," she said. - GMANews.TV
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