Marina chief steps down; DOTC usec is OIC

MANILA, Philippines – Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Vicente Suazo Jr. stepped down yesterday from his post, saying that his mission to put order in the local shipping industry has been accomplished.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Undersecretary for the Maritime Sector Maria Elena Bautista will temporarily replace Suazo.

Suazo said he submitted his resignation to the DOTC, the head agency of Marina, as early as the first week of August.

“It’s effective Aug. 31,” Suazo told The STAR in a telephone interview.

He added that he plans to join the private sector, and his resignation had nothing to do with the sinking of Sulpicio Lines Inc.’s (SLI) ferry M/V Princess of the Stars last June 21 that resulted in the death of over 800 passengers and crew.

Marina is the agency that would decide whether SLI would keep its certificate of public convenience (CPC) in the aftermath of the ferry tragedy.

Marina’s employees’ association, however, questioned the appointment of Bautista.

The Alliance of Marina Employees (AME), led by its president Arnie Santiago, wrote to President Arroyo: “Having known this undersecretary from her brief stint at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), we are respectfully requesting your good office to please put a stop to this plan.”

“From the first time she assumed as Usec, she already had the intention of becoming a Marina administrator. She loves lavish praises from her clientele or she loves to threaten them through the authority given her, including the DOTC, LTFRB, and the Marina,” the group added.

Santiago said the AME believes that the two Marina deputy administrators, Gloria Banas and Col. Primo Rivera, are more qualified to assume the post as acting administrator.

Bautista confirmed that she has already been designated OIC of the agency by the President.

Meanwhile, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) yesterday filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, serious physical injuries, and damage to properties against the missing captain of the capsized Princess of the Stars and eight executives of SLI.

Named respondents in the PAO’s 14-page complaint affidavit were the ship’s master, Captain Florencio Marimon, who was reported among those missing; 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; and first vice presidents Edward Go and Edgar Go.

In its complaint, the PAO accused the respondents of causing the death of the victims when they allowed the vessel to sail for Cebu City despite the raising of storm signal No. 3 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration on June 20 as typhoon “Frank” approached the country.

The PAO said the ship should have sought cover in Calapan Bay, noting that the Princess of the Stars was the only vessel that did not take shelter.

Also yesterday, two more families of victims in the sinking filed complaints for damages before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) against SLI and the same officials of the firm.

Among the complainants were Josefina Damaterio, wife of victim Oscar Damaterio, and Damaterio’s children Sarah Patricia, Diana, Maria Aurora, Oscar, Paulo, and Mariones Dayle.

In another complaint, heirs of Daniel Tambis Jr. – Manuel, Delia Tambis-Mecard, and Nena Tambis-Abordo – also sought compensation from SLI.

Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros said SLI first vice president Edgar Go should be charged with perjury for lying before the House committee on transportation that the ship’s original design was not altered.

“The modifications have significant effects to the watertight integrity of the vessel and impeded the movement of passengers during emergency situations which resulted in passengers being trapped in the C-deck,” she said. – Rainier Allan Ronda, Sandy Araneta, Mike Frialde, Evelyn Macairan and Delon Porcalla