THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Wednesday welcomed an amended decision of the Court of Appeals increasing the amount for moral and exemplary damages for some of the 71 passengers of M/V Princess of the Stars that capsized and sank off the coast off Romblon at the height of typhoon “Frank” on June 21, 2008.
PAO chief Persida Acosta echoed the CA’s ruling that there was gross negligence and bad faith on the part of the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (formerly known as Sulpicio Lines Inc.), operator of the ill-starred ship, in the performance of its duties as a common carrier.
The CA amended its 2024 decision to increase the total indemnification from P133,869,801.90 to P136,329,914.38 per fatality.
The Appellate Court, in its July 2025 amended decision, reaffirmed the personal liability of the shipowners — Enrique Go, Eusebio Go, Carlos Go, Victoriano Go, Dominador Go, Ricardo Go, Edward Go and Edgar Go — that “they were grossly negligent in directing it’s affairs.”
Acosta said the CA even granted a quo’s award of P400,000 in moral damages and another P400,000 in exemplary damages each for four survivors — Gerardo Pelimer, Francisco Batula, Sosan Lisbo and Rodel Laborte—who went through the ordeal of struggling to survive the raging sea even as they saw their loved ones perish in the hostile waters.
A source said one of the four survivors had even developed a phobia of water, refusing to take a daily bath for some time after the tragedy.
The appelate court granted augmentation in death benefits for the fatalities namely Arlene Clarin, Josephine Illut and her son, Antonio Fausto, Cupertino Parba Sr., and Teresito Laborte Sr., among others.
CA Associate Justice Wilhelmina Jorge-Wagan, along with Associate Justices Maria Elisa Sempio Uy and Angelene Mary Quinto-Sale, directed the plaintiffs/appellees through PAO to file their comment on the motion of the appellants — the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. —to cancel their superdeas bond and a motion for substitution of counsel on record with manifestation filed by several plaintiffs within 15 days from the receipt of the amended decision.
PAO filed 71 cases against Sulpicio Lines Inc. representing the victims of the Princess of the Stars sea tragedy.
The passenger ferry capsized and sank off the coast of San Fernando, Romblon during typhoon “Frank” on June 21, 2008, killing 814 passengers.
