Tomas won’t ask Arroyo to allow Sulpicio to sail

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has denied the request of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. for him to endorse to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the firm resumes operations.

Osmeña said yesterday he denied the request of Carlos Go, one of the owners of the shipping company, because he does not agree to the underlying reasons behind the calls of business and local government for the national government to allow Sulpicio to resume operations.

The business sector particularly argues that the grounding of Sulpicio’s eight passenger vessels has affected traders. But Osmeña said he is not buying the “economic reasons.”

“Frankly speaking, I’m angry. It’s all about money. I don’t have to be an expert to know that Sulpicio is probably the most dangerous shipping lines in the whole world,” Osmeña said.

The Maritime Industry Authority grounded the eight passenger vessels two days after the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars, Sulpicio’s biggest passenger ship last June 21.

Osmeña said he will only give an endorsement if Sulpicio Lines will change its management. Unless the leadership in Sulpicio is changed, the same “corporate culture” would reportedly persist, he said.

“It’s all business and its the kind of corporate culture that will continue and I dread that I will take care of the families of some 800 victims that would drown, God forbid…Until I can see a profound change in their management, then maybe they will get my endorsement,” the mayor said.

And should there ever be a change of management soon, Osmeña said he would want Ryan Bernard Go, the son of Carlos’ brother Ricardo, to be president. He explained that he was impressed by how Ryan personally dealt with the families of those that perished in the tragedy.

“I think the guy should be president. This guy would be terrified to go through it all over again,” Osmeña said.

In an official statement, Sulpicio Lines said it respects the views of the mayor but pleaded for “sobriety and fairness in this emotionally-charged situation.”

“The legal and judicial processes are in progress and should be respected… the SLI management is fully cooperating with the government while expediting assistance to all those affected and looking after the welfare of thousands of employees. We plead for sobriety and fairness in this emotionally-charged situation and focus on addressing the painful aftermath of the tragedy that befell on us,” the statement reads.

The other day, Sulpicio Lines admitted it was forced to lay off 136 crew members from its eight vessels that are now just docked in port.

Aside from the ship crew, arrastre workers and dock handlers working in the Sulpicio pier have also been forced to stop working as there are no vessels to service.

SLI lawyer Nolie Espina had clarified, however, that the lay off is temporary and workers will be rehired once the Maritime Industry Authority orders the resumption of operations for Sulpicio.

However, if no action is taken for a long time, there is a possibility that the layoff will be made permanent, Espina said.  — Joeberth M. Ocao/NLQ