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MalacaÑang said it supports the Congressional
inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars, stressing
however, the probe should result in a law that will improve the
safety maritime transport system.
President Gloria Arroyo is also
expected to visit the victims of Typhoon Frank immediately upon her
arrival this Monday following a 10-day official visit to the United
States.
A day after her arrival,
President Arroyo will fly to Iloilo City to preside over the regular
Tuesday Cabinet meeting and meet with the National Disaster
Coordinating Council, which will update her on the government’s
search and rescue operations for the victims of Typhoon Frank, and
the Princess of the Stars tragedy.
On the inquiry by Congress, chief
presidential legal counsel Sergio Apostol said the investigation
should also be done in aid of legislation because previous inquiries
into maritime disasters never resulted in relevant legislation.
Apostol said that if the Senate
were to investigate the sea tragedy, he hopes legislators could look
into the history of past maritime disasters and create a relevant
bill that will hold ship owners accountable.
And if they find any criminal
liability in the recent sea tragedy, a recommendation should be made
to the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice for prosecution,
Apostol said.
Lawmakers accompanying President
Arroyo on her US trip informed her about the planned probe by the
House of Representatives transportation committee on the sea
accident.
The Board of Marine Inquiry has
begun investigating the ferry tragedy on Wednesday.
The Princess of the Stars, owned
by the Sulipicio Lines Inc., capsized with more than 800 passengers
and crew off Romblon at the height of Typhoon Frank on Saturday.
--Angelo S. Samonte
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