THE MOUNT BALATUCAN MONITOR

For the first time, Sulpicio wants to play it cool.

Sulpicio spares families from long wait for P200T
By Elisabeth P. Baumgart Sun.Star Correspondent
With Katrina A. Balmaceda

Meanwhile, Sulpicio Lines announced that relatives will no longer have to wait for a whole year before receiving insurance for their loss.

Whether the body has been found and identified or is still missing, the company has decided to waive the one-year waiting period, lawyer Manuel Espina said in a press conference yesterday.The insurance will be given to immediate relatives of the passengers listed in the official manifest, provided they have complete documents, he added. An assessment and processing center for claims was set up at the Cebu City Sports Complex yesterday, and claimants have begun processing their documents.

I cant believe this is Sulpicio Lines. It wants us to have a generous look at them because they “spare” the families of the agony of long wait for compensation.

With a mukhang pera shipping lines, NOTHING IS FOR FREE!

Sulpicio Lines just wants to buy our sympathy in the hope that the suspension of their vessels will be lifted.

Forget it Sulpicio! With thousands of death your unsafe vessels have caused, it would be better if you would shift your business. With the looks of it, your corporate record will make you fit to engage in a mortuary service.

First, it blamed Pag asa. Now its blaming Del Monte for the pesticide shipment.

Its lawyer Atty. Victoria Lim-Florido had this to say,

“There should be a complete a complete disclosure on the part of the shipper. We have to rely in good faith because the shipper is the owner of the cargo (endosulfan shipment). As the shipper, the (DMPI) has the obligation to fully disclose the kind of shipment. The contract in the bill of lading should have a complete disclosure.”

Crap. Sulpicio should not play innocent. With its patent lack of concern for the safety of its passengers, its not far fetched that Sulpicio has some knowledge of the shipment. Heck, this might have been going on for a long time and it could not have been discovered had MV Princess of the Stars did not sink.

And for the PAGASA blame, why of all the shipping lines, only Sulpicio is complaining against Pag asa? Superferry Lines also received PAGASA warning and it did something about it. It took shelter in Batangas. The irresponsible, negligent and profit oriented Sulpicio Lines did not heed the warning but instead let its ill fated ship sail straight into the path of the storm.

Now it is blaming on everyone.

Pesteng Sulpicio Lines talaga.

While the entire nation was glued to the television to watch the Manny Pacquiao-David Diaz fight, the unexpected happened when the communist New People’s Army made a surprise attack and raid on Dapa and General Luna town halls in the tourist island of Siargao in Surigao del Norte.

Sketchy reports revealed that the attack was staged by the joint forces of NPA Front Committee 16 and Front Committee 18. Reports showed that after raiding the Siargao Island towns, the rebels retreated to Panatao, Claver, Surigao del Norte where it encountered the combined forces of the police and military blocking force. After a fierce gunbattle, 9 rebels and 2 from the government side were killed.

***

At least 60 NPA rebels made a daring raid in Dapa and Gen. Luna in Siargao Island at 10:30 in the evening Saturday, June 28, 2008.

***

Killed in the government side were Police Inspector Ricky Arado and PO1 Serafin Manungas both assigned at the RMG detachment based in Km. 90 along the Surigao del Norte-Surigao del Sur boundary. Reports said, the troops were ambushed by an NPA blocking force set up to defend retreating rebels from Siargao Island.

Koko Pimentel may have the last laugh after all. This after the Senate Electoral Tribunal find prima facie evidence that the ballots in Maguindanao are fake. Heres the Inquirer report on that issue:

SET finds prima facie evidence in Pimentel protest vs Zubiri

But 12th place senator not worried
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 19:01:00 06/19/2008

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) has found prima facie evidence in the electoral protest filed by Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III against Senator Miguel Zubiri and HAS ordered the continuation of the protest proceedings.

In a nine-page resolution dated June 17, copies of which were made available to Senate reporters, the SET said it has “reasonable basis” to believe the final result of the protest might affect the proclaimed 12th winning senator in the 2007 senatorial elections.

The SET ordered the hearing commissioner to summon the parties to the protest not later than June 23, to set the date for when it will receive evidence for the remaining 75 percent contested precincts, as well as for the re-tabulation of pertinent election documents from the municipality of Patikul, Sulu.

However asked about the said development, Atty. Romulo Macalintal, Zubiri’s lawyer downplayed it.

“If those 70,922 ballots are fake, then they should not be counted as there must have been substitution. If there is substitution, then the SET should go to the certificates of canvass,” Macalintal told The Manila Times.

He admitted that Comelec discovered that a big number of fake ballots are stuffed in ballot boxes involved in electoral protests, but argued that there are no findings yet that the ballots involved in the revision were the same ones used by actual voters.

The burden of proof still lies with Pimentel, asserted Macalintal.

Aherm… We never heard Zubiri’s lawyers before that the Maguindanao ballots are fake. Now that it was discovered, they have no choice but to admit it. But still they have a ready option just in case. Insist on the counting of the Certificate of Canvass. But simple logic will tell you, what is the basis of the canvass if the ballots are fake. Also if Macalaintal would say that the said ballots were just stuffed just to destroy the integrity of the canvass, where is the authentic ballots? But in the end it will go back to the basic question, what is the basis of the canvass. Answer. The ballots! Now since the ballots were found to be fake and manufactured, Zubiri’s camp would now say that the ballots were not the real ones used in the canvassing without even showing the authentic ballots, if there were any.

As to Zubiri’s counter protest involving 73,000 plus precincts as compared to Pimentel’s 2,658, the former is a sham protest intended only to delay the resolution of Koko Pimentel’s protest. Sakto na Migs. Mauwaw sab tawon ka.

Migs Zubiri boasted that they have “voluminous” affidavits to back up his protest that there was widespread fraud in favor of Koko Pimentel. I just laugh at this argument. The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled in the past that mere affidavits will not suffice for an electoral protest to prosper. Which is rightly so since it is so easy to make affidavits from just anyone else. Morever, affidavits without concrete proof are just self serving assertions and thus just a mere scrap of paper.

Koko Pimentel, when asked about the counter protest of Migs, correctly commented, ” I dont know if he (Zubiri) is serious enough to pursue with his counter protest. Maybe he should think twice.” Koko added that he expects to be proclaimed within this year. According to Koko, “the process of the collection and retabulation would take around two to three months to finish.” Counting from this month, indeed the protest can be resolved before the year ends.

Its bye bye Migs by then. Better luck next time.

While the entire country is reeling from the destruction brought by typhoon “Frank”, our officials led by no less than Gloria Arroyo are enjoying their sweet time in the United States. They say its a working visit. Who are they fooling. They are just their for junket in the US and most of them are just hopping in to watch the Manny Pacquiao-David Diaz boxing fight live in Las Vegas this Sunday.  Never mind hundreds of lives lost in their homeland and millions more are suffering from the typhoon aftermath.  As long as the Manny Pacquiao wins, it will solve all the country’s miseries and tragedies.  A Manny Pacquiao victory will be a panacea to all our problems.

Which make me wish, Manny Pacquiao lose! That would comfort our countrymen for the utter lack of delicadeza of our officials, lead by Gloria Arroyo herself who might be hoping that a Pacquiao win will make people forget the insensitivity of this government in the midst of national disasters.

If there will be special elections held to fill the seat of the late Congressman Danilo Lagbas, the following are the contenders:

1. Jimmy Caina - Board Member
2. Peter “Sr. Pedro” Unabia - Board Member
3. Jeremy “Jigjag” Pelaez - Baord Member
4. Benedict Lagbas - Board Member and brother of Danilo Lagbas
5. Marie Guingona - daughter of Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona
6. Danilo Lagbas Jr. - son of Congressman Lagbas
7. Rommel Maslog - Mayor of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental
8. Michael Paderanga - lawyer and son of former Gingoog City Mayor Miguel Paderanga

According to Governor Oscar Moreno, “Not so fast.” The good Governor prefers that the seat should remain vacant as a special election would only cause disunity among partymates. Four of the abovementioned contenders, Caina, Unabia, Lagbas and Pelaez belong to the ruling PaDayon Pilipino Party of the Governor.

Columnist Cris Diaz of Mindanao Gold Star Daily made some assessment of the prospects of some candidates in his column June 20, 2008 column “Probable Candidates”

First, Jimmy Caina, a self made man and a “favored” contractor. Caina already expressed apprehension in running because acording to him he has no election money to spend…

Unabia, touted to be the richest among the Provincial Board Members and a fraternal brother of the late Danilo Lagbas may like to run but he does not want to flaunt it…

Benedict Lagbas, a former town Mayor of Sugbongcogon is also being prodded by the late Congressman’s political leaders to consider the congressional seat. Will Benedict accept the challenge? It remains to be seen…

Jeremy “Jigjag” Pelaez may also join the political fracas if only to regain the Pelaez political legacy in the province…

Michael Paderanga, is likely to run to regain his lost political ground. Michael is a worthy candidate. Yet Michael should learn from his mistakes and not stick to the traditional campaign strategy.

Marie Guingona is considered a dark horse. But I find her a hesitant candidate who could not make up her mind. I think she would prefer to run only in Gingoog City since her mother Ruthie will end her term in 2010…

Meanwhile, Maslog thought of running for the mayor’s league in preparation for his Congressional debut come 2010. However after abandoning his intention of running for the Mayor’s league shortly after the 2007 local polls, I doubt Maslog’s interest…

However in other news reports, Maslog’s interest on the Congressional seat has not wavered. Accordingly, Maslog has already informed Mayor Dixon Yasay of Opol, the President of Misamis Oriental Mayor’s League of Municipalities about his plan to run for congressman. Maslog, who is serving his last office term as Mayor of Talisayan, is banking on the support of the seven town mayors in Eastern Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, Danilo “Junjun” Lagbas Jr, claimed to have been getting the endorsements from barangay chairpersons and town officials of the 1st District who supposedly want him to replace his father. Lagbas who said his father asked him to help in implementing infrastructure and livelihood projects in the 1st Distirct, said he and his family want to pursue what the late Congressman started.

This is going to be fun.

(With reports from Lito Rulona and Nilo Abroguena of the Mindanao Gold Star Daily)

This was a phrase blurted out by a distraught relative, Teresa Hiyas, who lost both of her parents in the ill fated MV Princess of the Stars. Relatives of the victims complained of the utter lack of action and information on the part of Sulpicio Lines Inc.

I watched the new program of Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez last night “Harapan” on ABS CBN news when another relative, Heide Laurel, who lost both of her parents and 5 siblings, on the way Sulpicio Lines treated them. There were no company officials who faced them and at least comfort them. Worse, when they insist on their demands for more information, the guards of the company were seen drawing their guns.

These callous acts of Sulpicio only showed their business as usual attitude even if their ship have caused the loss of thousands of lives. Perhaps Sulpicio Lines owners are getting used to this incident that they treat it as if nothing happens.

I witnessed how Sulpicio conduct its business. They shouted their employees as if they are dogs when they are in port. The salaries too are not that compensating given the hardwork that they are giving. “Barat” is the term for that. Stingy in English. It seems that there is an exploitative culture in the said company. With employees not fairly treated and not fairly compensated, how can one expect a quality professionalized service.

Look, many vessels, smaller than Princess of the Stars have managed to survive typhoons. Ocean going vessels which are well maintained and well manned can maneuver themselves well even in bad weather and while sailing in open seas. Which makes one wonder why a ship as big as Princess of the Stars will sink in a sea surrounded by islands.

(more…)

Its been a vicious cycle. Ships sunk, passengers dead, relatives grief stricken and the snail pace cases for justice and compensation. When I read the news about another sinking of a passenger ferry owned by the Sulpicio Lines, I was outraged.

It should be emphasized that this is no longer the 1970’s when sea travel was unpredictable because of unsafe maritime practices and smaller vessels. This is already the 21st century,  where there are great strides in maritime safety and the emergence of super large vessels.

But why things like this still happen. If only the cause is excusable, then it may be easier for people to accept the deaths caused by the capsizing of the Mv Princess of the Stars. But no, from my reading, there is really fault and negligence on the part of the ship’s owners, the Sulpicio Lines Incorporated.

As early as Tuesday, June 17, 2008, PAG ASA has been announcing an incoming typhoon east of Mindanao. If the ship owners and the ships crew are sensible enough to foresee the danger lying ahead, it could not have proceeded to its tragic sail. Instead, the ship sailed on Friday! That was June 20, 2008, right smack on the day the typhoon struck the country and directly into the typhoon’s path.

Using the reason of the Coast Guard, Sulpicio Lines had the discretion to set sail considering the tonnage of the ill fated vessel, which accordingly, could withstand the waves. But if you have a responsible business sense, why risked the vessel and the lives of more than 700 souls on board? If they think about lost profits, then they could have thought how much they would lose if the vessel will meet an accident, which what actually happened. It the greed for profits that pushed the shipowners to force the issue and let the ship sail in stormy weather.

(more…)

I guess this another blackeye to the sympathizers of Hanjin Heavy Industries. To our officials in Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro and neighboring provinces, is this the kind of investor you want to have business with in the area? With its alarming safety record, we might be sending our workers to their deaths.

Central Luzon Desk
First Posted 22:56:00 06/21/2008

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT–(UPDATE) The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) ordered a stop to the operations of the construction arm of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines Inc. (HHIC-Phil) on Friday after another worker had died.

The death of Mario Atrero, 52, an employee of Hanjin Construction Corp. Ltd. (HCCL), was the third at the Korean shipbuilding site in nine days.

It brought to 12 the number of work-related deaths at the facility since it began operations in 2006.

Hanjin officials said most of the casualties in the earlier accidents had been hired by subcontractors. But Atrero was said to be in the direct employ of HCCL.

“The [safety] situation at the shipyard has become alarming,” SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said.

He said HCCL was served the cease-and-desist order at 6 p.m. on Friday, two hours after Atrero was hit and killed by a steel frame that collapsed due to strong winds.

Four other workers–identified by the SBMA as Joel Alido, Darvin Silva, David Alcayaga and Leody Abad, all residents of Zambales–were injured.

more on this

Another passenger vessel, Princess of the Stars, of the Sulpicio Lines Inc. ran aground and eventually capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon. As of this writing, 4 were confirmed dead, 3 survived and an estimated 700 passengers are still missing.

Sulpicio Lines have its history of tragic sea travel accidents that spans for decades. Foremost among them are the MV Dona Marilyn in the early 80s, MV. Dona Paz which killed almost 2000 in 1987, the Princess of the Orient in 1998 and now the MV Princess of the Stars.

But still the company was still allowed to operate inter island passenger ferry despite its tragic record.  I commiserate the distraught relatives of the victims, many whom are still to be accounted for as of this moment.