Press Release
July 3, 2008

Statement of Sen. Pia Cayetano on proposal for government takeover of Sulpicio Lines

Senator Pia Cayetano today said that Malacañang should look into the problems of the country's maritime industry instead of contemplating plans to take over Sulpicio Lines, Inc., owner of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars that capsized in the island of Romblon and took the life of its passengers. "Instead of thinking about a government takeover, government should focus all of its energy and resources in finding out what's wrong with our maritime industry, in setting up safety standards and ensuring this tragedy does not happen again! It has no business contemplating a takeover," she said.

The senator also stressed that even if the government avails of what the Constitution provides for a government takeover, it would still not address the problem within agencies that are responsible for the safety of our seas.

"This idea of a takeover is ridiculous. Is passenger or cargo transport a government's expertise? If the implementation of its present policies and rules can't even prevent the recurrence of sea mishaps, how can it even think of running operations of a shipping company? The government should focus on regulation and implementation", she said.

"More importantly, government must show resolve to punish those who were responsible for the latest of a series of tragedy involving Sulpicio Lines," she concluded.

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