DOJ junks motion to reverse ruling on ‘Princess’ case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday junked the motion filed by one of the owners of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars seeking a reversal of a resolution affirming the string of charges slapped against him in connection with the June 2008 sea tragedy. In his two-page resolution, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said Edgar Go, vice president for operations of Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI), failed to raise any new arguments in his motion for reconsideration that would warrant the reversal of the March 22 ruling. The assailed ruling affirmed the recommendation of state prosecutors to indict Go for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries and damage to property. Agra reiterated that the complainants were able to "categorically and positively" assert the facts that led to the finding of probable cause by the special panel of investigating prosecutors. "We have carefully reviewed anew the evidence on record in the light of the arguments advanced in the motion for reconsideration and found no cogent reason to reconsider our assailed resolution. The ground raised in the instant motion were already duly considered and passed upon in the resolution sought to be considered," he said. The junking of the petition coincided with the second year anniversary of what is considered as one of the worst sea disaster in Philippine maritime history where over 800 people either dead or missing. Agra, in affirming the prosecution panel’s findings of probable cause to criminally charge Go and missing ship captain Florencio Morimon Sr., said the shipping line is liable for not taking precautionary measures to prevent the tragedy from taking place. He said the passenger ship continued onto its destination even while Pagasa raised signal no. 3 over the areas of Marinduque, Romblon and Oriental Mindoro, the intended route of the said vessel. "The ship could have returned to Manila or docked at the nearest post. It could have dropped anchor. It was the lone ship travelling through the sea at that time. There was a lack of effort on the part of the ship owners to send additional ships for rescue of the passengers," he said. M/V Princess of the Stars sank off Sibuyan Island in the province of Romblon at the height of typhoon Frank on June 21, 2008. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV