Administrative charges filed vs. MT Princess Empress owner —MARINA

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said Wednesday it already filed formal administrative charges against the owner of the sunken motor tanker Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro, which has caused a massive oil spill in various areas.

This developed after MARINA deputy administrator Sonia Malaluan said Tuesday that the agency has already completed its initial investigation on the shipping properties, and therefore found probable cause to file charges against RDC Reield Marine Services.

“Mayroong binuong fact-finding committee ang MARINA at nafile-an na sila ng formal charges na administratibo ng MARINA. Gumugulong na ang proseso,” MARINA director Ronald Bandalaria said in a public briefing.

(MARINA has formed a fact-finding committee and formal administrative charges has been against the company. The process is ongoing.)

Should the company be proven liable for the submerged ship, Bandalaria said its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) could be revoked and it could face administrative fines.

“Kung mapapatunayan, bilang isang administrative and regulatory agency, maaari nating i-kansela o ma-revoke ang tinatawag nating Certificate of Public Convenience. Bukod pa rito ang mga administrative fines and penalties,” he said.

(As an administrative and regulatory agency, we could cancel or revoke their CPC, if proven guilty. Aside from that, they could also face administrative fines and penalties.)

The MT Princess Empress sank on February 28 off Naujan while carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel. Aside from Oriental Mindoro, the oil spill has also reached nearby provinces like Antique, Palawan, and Batangas.

Bandalaria said two vessels of the shipowner are currently prohibited to sail after cease and desist orders were issued against them.

“Kasalukuyang hindi pinahihintuluan ang dalawang barko ng kumpanya… Kaugnay po nito, kasama sa show cause order ng MARINA na pinagpapaliwanag ang marine surveying company, ang shipyard, at ang local class society. Ito ay bahagi ng ating administrative procedures sa MARINA,” he said.

(The company's two ships are currently not allowed to sail... MARINA's show cause order also included the marine surveying company, the shipyard, and the local class society. This is part of our administrative procedures.)

“Masusing inspeksyon ang ginagawa ng MARINA sa mga natitirang barko ng kumpanya para masigurado ang compliance ng barko at ng RDC…Hindi natin masabi kung hanggang kailan ang magiging closure order,” he added.

(MARINA is thoroughly inspecting the company's remaining ships to ensure their compliance...We cannot say how long the closure order will be enacted.)—AOL, GMA Integrated News