EDITORIAL - Don't delay the truth

Even after last Wednesday's mass burial of the victims in last month's sea accident, the door remains wide open as we continue searching for the truth about what really happened during that fateful night of August 16.

Many questions are still left unanswered as to who was really liable for one of the country's worst sea disasters. No one admits responsibility as both parties keep blaming each other. 

The public highly anticipates the results of the investigation conducted by the Special Board of Marine Inquiry. Although the SBMI already wrapped up its probe, no one knows when the results go public.

Earlier reports said the results of the SBMI probe were already up for submission to the transportation department's office in Manila. These would be published in major newspapers before charges will be filed against those responsible.

But it remains a mystery why, until now, the public has been deprived of the truth. It's been more than a month since the accident yet the public and the families of the victims have been left in the dark on what's really the real score.

For how long do we have to wait for the results? Next year? Or until the next government takes over when the public interest in the truth already died down? The public really deserves to know the results as soon as possible because we cannot afford a delayed justice for the victims.  

Authorities investigating the accident should know that we cannot put closure to the disaster unless we know what really happened. Knowing the truth means time to heal the wounds of the past, pick up the pieces and move on.

Besides, the results of the investigation are vital for concerned agencies in their efforts to immediately fix the problem that resulted in the collision of the two sea vessels.

So there's really no reason for the SBMI and the transportation department to further withhold the announcement of the results. A delay would only create a public perception that there are unseen forces out to taint the truth.

Even after last Wednesday's mass burial of the victims in last month's sea accident, the door remains wide open as we continue searching for the truth about what really happened during that fateful night of August 16.

Many questions are still left unanswered as to who was really liable for one of the country's worst sea disasters. No one admits responsibility as both parties keep blaming each other. 

The public highly anticipates the results of the investigation conducted by the Special Board of Marine Inquiry. Although the SBMI already wrapped up its probe, no one knows when the results go public.

Earlier reports said the results of the SBMI probe were already up for submission to the transportation department's office in Manila. These would be published in major newspapers before charges will be filed against those responsible.

But it remains a mystery why, until now, the public has been deprived of the truth. It's been more than a month since the accident yet the public and the families of the victims have been left in the dark on what's really the real score.

For how long do we have to wait for the results? Next year? Or until the next government takes over when the public interest in the truth already died down? The public really deserves to know the results as soon as possible because we cannot afford a delayed justice for the victims.  

Authorities investigating the accident should know that we cannot put closure to the disaster unless we know what really happened. Knowing the truth means time to heal the wounds of the past, pick up the pieces and move on.

Besides, the results of the investigation are vital for concerned agencies in their efforts to immediately fix the problem that resulted in the collision of the two sea vessels.

So there's really no reason for the SBMI and the transportation department to further withhold the announcement of the results. A delay would only create a public perception that there are unseen forces out to taint the truth.