Victim's mother files 21st case vs Sulpicio

CEBU - The mother of one of the victims in the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy yesterday filed the 21st civil case against Sulpicio Lines Inc., raising the total monetary claims sought against the shipping company to almost P228 million.

In her complaint, Leonora Salili said that her son Michael John Callelero was expected to be the breadwinner of their family had he survived the sea tragedy. He was on his way home to Cebu City supposedly to celebrate his 24th birthday with his family when the tragedy happened.

Leonora sought P800,000 in moral damages against Sulpicio Lines Inc. Ship Captain Florencio Marimon, SLI President Enrique Go, Executive Vice President Eusebio Go, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Go, Senior Vice President and Secretary Victoriano Go, First Vice President Dominador Go, First Vice President and Treasurer Ricardo Go, First Vice President Edward Go and Edgar Go.

On top of the moral damages, an attorney’s fee of 20 percent of the adjudged monetary award has also been asked.

The other day, records of PAO showed that total claims of victims’ families against Sulpicio have already reached to P227 million excluding the attorney’s fees.

PAO has already filed motions for the consolidation of the cases in the respective branches of RTC where the cases of Sulpicio have been raffled to.

PAO Regional Public Attorney Maria G-ree Calinawan said that at least three judges have already approved the consolidation and these are RTC Branch 9 Judge Geraldine Faith Econg, RTC Branch 5 Judge Douglas Marigomen and RTC Branch 16 Judge Sylvia Aguirre-Paderanga.

Calinawan said the whole consolidated cases might go to RTC Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras, who has the lowest docket number of all the cases that were filed against SLI. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)