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In its latest attempt to circumvent the law, and deny justice, Sulpicio Lines is again embarking on a sham of a crusade to reimburse the victims and their families in the amount of P200,000. Money over human lives, this sickening company is again focusing on money, business, and profit-loss calculations.

Believe me, Sulpicio Lines owes us much more than a measly P200,000. Here’s its latest “PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT”

We have lost our good ship, MV Princess of the Stars, the crown jewel in our fleet, and some of our best crew. But more than these, we have lost valued passengers without whose patronage the company would not have been where it is today. Even as we grieve and continue to mourn the loss of priceless human lives, we must now match that grief with decisive action to directly address the plight of the victims and their loved ones to ease their suffering.

Mindful, likewise, of the deep concern shown by our president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for the victims and their families and her desire that their plight be alleviated by concrete actions, Sulpicio Lines, Inc. has decided to cast aside legal technicalities and waive the waiting period of one year within which missing passengers will be compensated. Instead, the legal heirs of ALL VICTIMS LISTED IN THE PASSENGER MANIFEST will be paid the amount of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos regardless of whether the bodies have been recovered or are still missing, and regardless of whether the bodies have been identified or not up to this time.
We therefore invite the next of kin or legal heirs of every passenger-victim (casualties) listed in the PASSENGER MANIFEST to fill up A CLAIM FORM which can be obtained from our Manila office at Pier 12, North Harbor, Manila or from our Cebu office at Reclamation Area, Cebu City, and submit this to either office, together with the following supporting documents (original copy):

1. Birth Certificate and Marriage Contract of victims;
2. Birth Certificate and Marriage Contract of claimant/s;
3. Valid cedula and government ID of the claimant/s;
4. Voter’s ID of the victim and claimant/s (if available or deemed necessary);
5. Affidavit of relationship of the claimant/s to the victim;
6. Death Certificate (if available).

There is no need to hire the services of a lawyer because the claims will be acted upon with dispatch and with as simple documentation as possible.

The PASSENGER MANIFEST is posted in conspicuous places at the office of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. in Manila and Cebu.

Human life is so precious that no money value can be attached to it.

But this is the least that we can do to show how deeply we commiserate with the victims of this unfortunate event, a tragedy that nobody wanted to happen, least of all Sulpicio Lines.

We would like to thank the NGOs, the PNRC, DSWD, DSWS, NDCC, NBI, DOTC and Marina, LGUs most especially the Cebu City Government, PN divers, PN, PNP and AFP, US Navy, Philippine Coast Guard auxiliary and most especially the Philippine Coast Guard for their invaluable assistance.

This announcement shall not be construed as an admission of liability on the part of Sulpicio Lines, Inc.

May Almighty God bless us all.

Here’s the legal aspects of it all, and the part that is important,

There is no need to hire the services of a lawyer because the claims will be acted upon with dispatch and with as simple documentation as possible.

It may seem that they are trying to do the good thing, but really, what they want is to sign off future lawsuits. I am very much interested in this form, and I will try to get my cousin to get me a copy of this form.

As early as the first few days of the tragedy, this money hungry company was already talking about P200,000. Trust me, they owe their whole business, and I hope this despicable company is shut down for good. License revoked. Criminal charges filed. And key officials and those in charge put behind bars.

Another important aspect of this statement,

This announcement shall not be construed as an admission of liability on the part of Sulpicio Lines, Inc.

Again, trying to weasel their way out of any liabilities. Like they are being good samaritans and are just giving away money. They are doing this to get out of paying a massive amount of money to the families of the victims. Give me a break, this company is just too damn selfish.

In the midst of all the grieving, the chaos that they are putting the families through, as they wade through the paperworks, and the inefficient leadership and management of Sulpicio, they are trying to put one over the whole country, and now the victims and their families.

Such evil, I thought did not exist, I guess I was wrong.

Again, P200,000 is not enough… with that payout, they can still continue with their business of ignoring human lives, in order to push their cargo through. I am pissed.

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