Nograles opposes gov't takeover of Sulpicio

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday said the government must make the “disaster-prone” Sulpicio Lines pay for the death of at least 700 passengers of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars, rejecting proposals for a government takeover.

“The government has no business getting into private businesses,” Nograles said in a statement, effectively shutting down the takeover proposal.

Nograles instead suggested that government apply “the full force of the law to punish whoever is responsible for the mishap, which now appears to have been caused by negligence and bad judgment.”

Heads should also roll in the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Transportation and Communications on who allowed the ferry to sail amid the presence of typhoon “Frank.”

“Officials of the agencies that oversee the maritime industry should be asked to step down or resign from their posts,” Nograles said.

He said government must have the resolve to modernize and streamline maritime operations to ensure the safety of all water vessels.

“I don’t think that the government’s takeover of Sulpicio will improve our record on maritime safety. Government has no business getting into private business. Its business is not to make money but to address the basic social needs of the people,” Nograles said.

“The correct supervision, regulation and oversight of the DOTC officials and its responsible agencies are some of the major defects that cause sea mishaps. And their incompetence will be rewarded by allowing them to take over? In other countries, they would be asked to resign,” Nograles said.

As for the management of Sulpicio Lines, Nograles said that the company’s license to operate may be revoked and criminal and civil charges should be filed against the shipping company.

Nograles has endorsed a marathon investigation on the Princess of the Stars mishap.

The main objective of this investigation, he said, will be to craft measures that will improve the country’s maritime industry and, at the same time, plug the loopholes of existing maritime laws.

Nograles noted that the overlapping functions of several agencies might have also been the culprit behind the country’s embarrassing maritime safety record, thus recommending the streamlining of agencies involved in the regulation and supervision of vessels in the country.

Even Sen. Pia Cayetano agreed with Nograles that Malacañang should look into the problems of the country’s maritime industry instead of contemplating the takeover of Sulpicio Lines, Inc.

Cayetano stressed that even if the government bases the takeover on a constitutional provision, it would still not address the problem within the agencies responsible for the safety of our seas.  – With Christina Mendez