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MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DoJ) said it has summoned officials of Sulpicio Lines Inc. on the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries filed against them in connection with the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars.
Senior State Prosecutor Emilia Victorio, head of the investigating panel, said they sent subpoenas to Captain Florencio Marimon Sr., ship master of the ill-fated ferry, SLI president Enrique S. Go, executive vice president Eusebio S. Go, CEO and executive vice president Carlos S. Go, senior vice president and secretary Victoriano S. Go, first vice presidents Dominador S. Go and Edward S. Go, and treasurer and first vice president Ricardo S. Go.
The SLI executives are required to submit their respective counter affidavits on September 25.
She said the complainants, relatives of ferry victims, are also required to appear before the panel to verify the complaints they filed.
The Princess of the Stars sank on June 21 with more than 800 passengers and crew when it sailed into the path of typhoon Frank.
Meanwhile, an opposition lawmaker threatened to give the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) a P1 budget next year if it renews the permit for the importation of the toxic pesticide endosulfan.
Endosulfan, a highly toxic pesticide which is widely used in banana plantation, was discovered inside the sunken MV Princess of the Stars, leading to the suspension of efforts to retrieve the hundreds of bodies believed trapped inside the ill-fated ferry.
Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez yesterday said he would block the FPA's budget and give it only P1 if it continues to import the chemical after the permit for its importation expires in December.
FPA administrator Norlito Dicana said they have already identified four alternatives to endosulfan, but told Rodriguez "they are poisonous."
The agency, which is under the Department of Agriculture, is seeking a P91.9-million budget next year. The sub-committee hearing on the DA budget began Monday.
In an interview on the sidelines of the hearing, Dicana said the FPA board will decide whether or not to renew the permit for endosulfan importation, but said that the "inclination" was towards not renewing.
As an alternative to endosulfan, Dicana said the FPA may allow the importation of Actellic 50 EC, Agrimek 1.8 EC, Magister 10 EC, and Ortus 5 SC. /Inquirer
