Another set of civil charges for damages were filed yesterday at the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City against Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) and its top officials by the father of a female victim in the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy.
The complainant Mario Jadena, who was the father of the victim Modelyn Jadena, was represented in the case by his son George Almario Jadena.
They are from barangay Hipusngo of Baybay City in Leyte, and their complaint is the seventh case so far filed against the shipping company and its officials by relatives of the victims.
The charges were on gross negligence, reckless imprudence, and breach of contract, and the respondents were SLI itself, ship captain Florencio Marimon, SLI president Enrique Go, executive vice-president Carlos Go, vice president and chief executive officer Carlos Go, senior VP Victorino and other vice-presidents Dominador Go, Ricardo Go, Edward Go and Edgar Go.
The Jadenas demanded SLI to pay them actual and compensatory damages amounting to P7.296 million and moral and exemplary damages of P800,000. The amount was based on the estimated earnings of the victim Modelyn.
The shipping company was also asked to pay an amount equivalent to 20 percent of the total monetary award as attorney’s fees pursuant to Republic Act 9406 (or the Public Attorney’s Office Law).
The Public Attorney’s Office, through Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta, assisted the plaintiffs in filing the charges.
In the complaint, the elder Jadena said that SLI released their insurance amounting to P200,000 but not before compelling him to sign SLI’s unilaterally prepared release and quitclaim, the contents of which will absolve completely the shipping company from any liability to the complainant for the death of his daughter.
Earlier, about 18 other relatives of the victims filed a petition, asking MARINA to cancel the franchise of SLI. Fourteen PAO staffers signed the petition, citing that SLI’s 33 vessels encountered sea accidents since 1980.
They said they want to prevent SLI from further endangering more lives in transporting passengers. — Jasmin R. Uy/RAE