THE NERVE OF SULPICIO LINES

The Philippine Star
12/22/08

Many of us have heard or read about Sulpicio Lines’ long list of sea accidents, the most infamous being the tragedy of M/V Dona Paz which killed more than 4,000 people and figured as one of the world’s worst maritime disasters. Then there is M/V Dona Marilyn, followed by M/V Princess of the Orient, M/V Princess of the World, andmore recently, M/V Princess of the Stars.

Not many are aware, though, that the company is once again applying with the Maritime Industry Authority for a temporary operating permit during the long Christmas and year ending holidays. While this may help facilitate the travel of thousands of passengers traveling in the next few days, the risk could be greater.

The company is apparently eyeing to gain some badly needed income and cash to cover its recent losses. But at what price? More lost lives, more damage to the environment, more nightmares for families of victims?

If the reported application is true, the nerve of Sulpicio Lines to apply for the lifting of Marina’s suspension when it just admitted it has not yet fully complied with the requirements set by the Board of Marine Inquiry for the restoration of their permit to conduct passenger handling operations.

Preferential treatment

The corridor talk in the shipping industry is that Sulpicio always gets preferential treatment by officials who are responsible for regulating the industry. If true, what could possibly be the reason for such leniency?

For starters, the company had been allowed to operate without Protection and Indemnity coverage, a costly but important measure that will allow any shipping company to answer for third party liabilities and other incidental costs incurred as a result of disasters.

In the case of the recent sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars, the absence of a P&I made it very costly for Sulpicio to lift the toxic cargo inside the sunken vessel and to float and salvage whatever was left of the vessel on the seabed. The overturned M/V Prncess of the Stars is a tragic picture of a shipping company unable to clean up its mess.

Aside from the P&I coverage, Marina suspended the Sulpicio’s passenger handling operations until it fully complied with the other conditions imposed by the board of marine inquiry.

According to Marina, Sulpicio must undertake the repair of its vessels and change its class society. The shipping firm should also re-train all their crew members and meet the standards of the International Ship Management System (ISM).

We understand that normally, requests of shipping companies for the lifting of administrative sanctions are coursed through the Marina administrator who may act expeditiously given the facts of the appeal.

Many in the shipping sector, however, were surprised when talks circulated that current Marina administrator Elena Bautista did not reject outright the application by Sulpicio Lines to lift its suspension even if she was well aware that Sulpicio Lines had admitted they have not fully complied with the conditions imposed by the Marine Board of Inquiry.

It seems that Bautista is trying to dodge some kind of pressure on her by passing on to the board the request of Sulpicio Lines for the temporary lifting of its operating permit.

The question asked by many is who is behind this pressure to allow Sulpicio Lines to operate passenger handling despite its failure to comply with the requirements to upgrade its operations.

Word is that whoever is trying to intercede on behalf of Sulpicio is someone very close to a high official, or maybe even someone higher, to be so bold and brazen as to pressure Marina officials to allow Sulpicio Lines to continue its operation even considered substandard by an independent marine enquiry.

For the sake of our hapless travelers relying on the sea transport to bring them home during the holidays, we all hope that Marina administrator and the Marina board are able to stand up to the pressure being exerted by the unseen “godfather” of Sulpicio Lines.

Green Archers, host of Manuel V. Pangilinan Perpetual Trophy

The Manuel V. Pangilinan Perpetual Trophy, named after the sports patron boss of PLDT and Smart, was recently delivered to the Green Archers den where it will stay for one year.

The imposing bronze trophy sculpted by the renowned Juan Sajid Imao, was inspired by the theme Abutin ang Tagumpay (Reaching for Success). It shows several players reaching high for a basketball – symbolizing the highest goal of collegiate basketball, the national championship.

Bro. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, De La Salle University representative to the UAAP Board, together with the Green Archers coaching staff, was on hand to receive from Philippine Collegiate Champions League the prestigious perpetual trophy and its replica.

Bro. Oca stated that during its one year stay at DLSU, the trophy shall be the centerpiece from among the several trophies already accumulated by the school through its highly successful sports program. “We shall try to keep it longer than just one year,” he remarked.

Bro. Oca also cited the determination of the Green Archers throughout the tough “Sweet 16” Finals where they had to overcome the challenges of the University of San Carlos Warriors from the tough Cebu league CESAFI; University of the East Warriors, UAAP fourth-placer; San Beda Red Lions, NCAA Champion; and Ateneo Blue Eagles, Champions League defending champion and current UAAP champion, to emerge as the best among the best in the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship games.

For more details about the biggest collegiate basketball event for the year presented by SMART, PLDT, FilOil Flying V and KFC, visit the official website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net and www.gameface.ph, internet media partner of PCCL.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, SalcedoVillage, 1227 MakatiCity. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.