STATEMENT OF SENATOR BENIGNO “NOYNOY” S. AQUINO ON THE RECENT SEA TRAGEDIES
29 December 2009
The state of maritime transport in the Philippines seems to be a continuing “national tragedy.” During the last few days alone, we have witnessed two more ships sink, Catalyn B and MV Baleno-9, killing a still undetermined number of passengers.
The law is clear. Article 1755 of the Civil Code of the Philippines states that “a common carrier is bound to carry the passengers safely as far as human care and foresight can provide, using the utmost diligence of very cautious persons, with a due regard for all the circumstances.” While it is important for the investigation to proceed in order to determine liability on the part of the common carrier and other parties involved in these cases, the government has left many unanswered questions and appears not to have learned anything from past maritime disasters.
In June 2008, we witnessed the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars. What happened to this investigation? More importantly, what have the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Philippine Coast Guard done to prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening again? The President must explain why these common carriers have been allowed to operate when they are unable to exercise the standard of care mandated by our Civil Code.
An archipelagic country such as ours is obviously dependent on sea travel. Most of our citizens also prefer this mode of transportation due to its affordability. It is therefore incumbent upon the administration to ensure that government agencies tasked to monitor shipping companies do prevent those that are incompetent from setting sail.
We have seen too many people die as a result of this administration’s inability or unwillingness to enforce the law. A government that repeatedly fails to ensure the safety of its citizens has no reason to continue in office.
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Mr. Noy, the current administration is busy finishing the land-based projects like the LRT/MRT loop closure. Oh, and the current administration wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time rehabilitating the PNR project if your mother kept that maintained during her term. She let it slide and left a bunch of passengers from the provinces without a streamlined mode of transportation. Will you continue this kind of legacy when you’re president?
to be considered responsible enough..one must marry..and noynoy isn’t married yet.(just do the math urself)
Really? Did it make Gloria Arroyo a responsible person? How about Marcos? Erap? Can you name one thing Noynoy did for you to say he is an irresponsible person? Please explain the mathematics behind your skewed logic.
Yeah, tell that to a priest!!
It all boils down to implementation and execution of laws and regulations regarding just about anything in this country. The leaders in the Executive and Legislative Branches of government should set the example/parameters/moral aptitude thereby providing not only the public sector but the citizenry in general the prospectus/impetus on how together we can move this Nation forward!
Walk the talk. Any policy pronouncements? Noy’s commentaries are always incomplete.
i just couldn’t wonder the kind of leadership Senator Noynoy has; whose mind without propensity whatsoever is merely focused on where to point blaming fingers, instead of providing concrete and substantial solutions to the problems at hand. he sounds very annoying and irrelevant, like a man who has lost vision or worst none at all
Ask yerself first what the Legislative body’s work is before you go on with yer question. This particular post of Noynoy isn’t supposed to be one of the President’s already.
Put yerself in his feet too since you’re the one with all the solutions to give about the recurring sea ship problems, maybe?
Aye, mate, and fare well!
It is okay, though, to bash, maybe, politicians that you do not support. Just do not overdo it. After all, criticisms strengthen too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Doña_Paz)
“The MV Doña Paz was a Philippine-registered passenger ferry that sank after colliding with the MT Vector on December 20, 1987. With a death toll of at least 4,375 people,[1] the collision resulted in the deadliest ferry disaster in history and is widely cited as the worst ever peace-time maritime disaster.[2]“
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Doña_Paz)
“The MV Doña Paz was a Philippine-registered passenger ferry that sank after colliding with the MT Vector on December 20, 1987. With a death toll of at least 4,375 people,[1] the collision resulted in the deadliest ferry disaster in history and is widely cited as the worst ever peace-time maritime disaster.[2]“
tama ang comment ni alexis,….one of gma major flagship project..maganda sana ang RORO pero sumablay its disaster to poor filipinos ..tama nga ang kasabihan kung ano ang puno ay siya ang bunga …..kaya pag ang leader ay kurakot kahit sa kauli ulilang kawani ng gobyerno ganoon din pabaya sa kanilang tungkulin….konting tiis na lang come 30 june 2010 its noynoy turn a new kind of leadership that our country badly needs. may bukas pa .
PWEDE BA ALISIN MO MUNA SQUATTER SA METRO MANILA,CALABARZON, LALONG LALO SA LAGUNA IPAGAWA MO MUNA LUBAK LUBAK KAYE SA PILIPINAS LALONG LALO DITO SA CALAMBA CITY, PUNDUAN NYO MUNA NG MALAKI PNR, PAGGAWA NG BARKO AROPLANO, BUS ,, BARIL, PAANDARIN NYO MUNA BATAAN NUCLEAR PLANT, INATIONALIZE NYO MUNA POWER, OIL INDUSTRY, ABOLISH PRIVATIZATION, ABOLISH OIL DEREGULATION, ABOLISH SOUVEREIGN GUARANTEE MAGAGAWA MO BA ITO
dami mo naman mga demand..one at a time lang…ikaw na ayos mo bah buhay mo???my n gawa kaba sa community mo o sa kapit bahay mo?? one at a time lang pare..i believe noynoy that he can do..we just believe on him..”no one can change a certein thing in one minute”…
How about, ask first the incumbent President all those requests? Her excellency’s term hasn’t ended yet. You might be blabbing in the wrong department. Hehe. :p
Although what you’re suggesting might be handy.
we need responsible and hands on people in this industry to really look into the real state of the sea transport, not only during the time of tragedy but in everyday operations.
this is another result of a corrupt gov’t allowing second hand and unsafe sea vessels to sail the sea, at the expense of so many lives. in other decent countries repeated tragedies like this will cause resignation or firing of concerned high gov’t officials
Will you mention a state pertaining to sea tragedy were the secretary resigned?. . . What decent countries you are talking?. . . Do we have one?. . . IF YOU THINK NOYNOY IS THE RIGHT CHOICE TO SOLVE CORRUPTION …. THEN DEFINITELY YOU ARE WRONG. If Noynoy was not able extend help to their workers in Hacienda Luisita were these farm workers exerted effort on the richest of Nonoy Aquino and Family?. . How much more for the filipinos unknown to him. . . Take note he has no clear political flat form to support his bid for Presidency…. Wala ng ginawa at nagawa… may crab mentality pa.. . yon bang walang nakitang tama sa mga nagawa ni PGMA… Unfair di ba??? Paano siya makagawa ng tama if he could not recognized which is right and wrong..