Press Release
March 27, 2007

PIA PUSHES FOR ENACTMENT OF
TOUGHER 'OIL SPILL LIABILITY LAW"

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today deplored the dismissal of the criminal complaints filed by Guimaras officials against Petron executives and the owners of the sunken tanker Solar I for their responsibility in the oil spill that ravaged the island-province last year.

"The impact of the dismissal of these complaints won't help the quest for justice of the people of Guimaras, who themselves have barely recovered from the effects of last year's oil spill," said Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

The lady senator said the Provincial Prosecutors Office should have looked beyond the argument of Petron and Sunshine Maritime Development Corp. that the sinking of the tanker and the oil spill were "unintentional" therefore exonerating them from any criminal liability.

Cayetano noted that the prosecutor's decision clearly contradicted the findings of the Special Board of Marine Inquiry in September last year, which placed direct responsibility on Petron and Sunshine for the oil spill.

She said the special board blamed the vessel's sinking to Sunshine Maritime's failure to follow regulations, policies and requirements for the seaworthiness of its vessel, as well as its captain's lack of adequate training and judgment errors.

The inquiry also found Petron directly liable for overloading Solar I by at least 150 tons, causing instability and rendering the tanker "unseaworthy."

"For all the trouble and long term effects of the oil spill to their livelihood, their environment and their health, Guimaranons deserve much more than the small amounts they have received so far as economic compensation from the insurers of Solar I."

"The damage surely can't be worth only P4,800 to P32,000 per family," stressed Cayetano, in reference to the reported amounts handed out as damages to some families early this year from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund.

"Our intention is not to condemn Petron and Sunshine Maritime 'til eternity. What's important is that there should be sufficient reparation to raise enough funds that would bring the province and its people back to their previous state. But that can't happen if these criminal complaints won't be allowed to take their course," she concluded.

The lawmaker led a joint congressional panel to the island-province in August last year to investigate what has been regarded as the worst oil spill in the country's history.

She is also principal author of Senate Bill No.2600, or the "Oil Pollution Compensation Act," which lays down tougher penalties on polluters for future oil spill incidents so that oil companies, shippers and vessel owners will be more conscious of the need to protect the environment.

Her version of the "Oil Spill Liability Bill," which was entirely adopted by the House of Representatives, is expected to be signed into law by the President anytime soon.

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