IBP-Misamis Oriental asked to help local family claimants of MV Princess of the Stars

July 8, 2008

city councilor ramon tabor By Lizanilla J. Amarga

A debate recently ensued at the City Council on whether to ask the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Misamis Oriental (IBP-MisOr) to provide legal assistance to residents from Cagayan de Oro city and Misamis Oriental whose beloved were among the fatalities of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars.

During their regular session, City Councilor Ramon Tabor moved for the approval of Proposed Resolution No. 2008-202 or “Earnestly requesting the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Misamis Oriental Chapter to provide free legal assistance to the victims and families of the fatalities of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars in claiming for their indemnities.”

As a practicing lawyer himself, he expect that these family members who are left behind would be subjected to a lot of legal hassles when trying to claim the indemnities and other claims from Sulpicio Lines, Inc. such as the reported P200,000.

“With a lawyer, they could at least have a better stand,” he said.

But City Councilor Alfonso Goking told Tabor that his proposed resolution is “not necessary.”

He argued that Sulpicio Lines, Inc. had already issued a statement published in several newspapers that the shipping firm is “willing to forego all the requirements” that usually go along with the claims.

He told his colleagues that there is “no need to involve the IBP” considering that the families who want to make claims at the Sulpicio Lines, Inc. only need to present “simple documentation” that they are the right claimants.

“I am not against approving this but it is not necessary because the company already waived the requirements,” he said.

He further added that the processing of these claims would not take so long.

Tabor for his part countered saying it would still be best to have a lawyer assisting these family members considering that they may encounter legal problems along the way such as issues as between false claimants and real relatives to mention one.

He said it is best to properly protect the claims of these local residents who are also their constituents or are still under the jurisdiction of the IBP-MisOr.

For Tabor, the press releases of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. as published by the newspapers are “only to appease general public, Malacañang and the relatives.”

“There are a lot of matters that are best left to the expertise of a lawyer,” he said.

Tabor’s resolution was approved unanimously.

So far, there were four residents from Cagayan de Oro City and Province of Misamis Oriental who were reported to be passengers of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars.

They include: Evelio Peralta from Zone 10, Upper Carmen Cagayan de Oro City; Amelina Genelago from Purok 1, Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City; Marlon Guinitaran from Barangay Mandangoa, Balingasag, Misamis Oiental; and Marlon Mindor from Siayon, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

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Written by admin · Filed Under Cagayan de Oro