The Department of Transportation (DOTr) affirmed the dismissal of two officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in connection with the sinking of the motor tanker Princess Empress in February 2023.
The sinking caused a massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and other areas.
In his letter to MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista confirmed the findings of MARINA that Region IV director Jaime Bea and Engr. Jose B. Buban are guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service in relation to the tanker Princess Empress.
The two were meted the penalty of dismissal from service with corresponding penalties of cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from reemployment in government.
“We have had sinkings before but no one has been held to account. This time all parties, whether private or public, will be held accountable. There will be no exception,” Bautista said.
Based on the investigation conducted by the DOTr, Bea allegedly violated established protocols by signing and approving the certificate of ownership and certificate of Philippine registry for the M/TKR Princess Empress. This action directly contravened the rules governing the registration of tramper vessels.
The investigation also found that Bea failed to uphold proper procedures within the Domestic Shipping Section, as evidenced by allowing Buban to handle documents outside the scope of his position. This negligence in enforcing the Citizen’s Charter ultimately contributed to the irregularities in the vessel’s registration.
According to Bautista, “the MARINA officials’ actions ultimately caused millions of pesos of damages to government and private stakeholders. Also, it tarnished the image and integrity of the country’s maritime administration and transportation system.”
“Our policy is zero tolerance to shortcuts, official negligence and disregard of rules. The rule of law, good governance and best practices must prevail throughout the department and its agencies,” he added.
The Transport chief ordered Malaluan to enforce the decision immediately.
The MT Princess Empress, carrying 900,000 liters of industrial oil, sank off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, in the morning of Feb. 28, 2023, amid rough sea conditions. This caused an oil spill that spread to the waters of Antique, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro and Palawan.
The oil tanker was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil on its way from Bataan to Iloilo.
Subsequent investigation by the Senate found that the ship sailed without permission nine times, while the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) discovered that the tanker was registered despite RDC Reield Marine Services, the owner of the vessel, having submitted falsified documents to MARINA.
The Department of Justice, in February 2024, recommended the filing of criminal charges against the ship’s owners and corporate officers and MARINA personnel over the falsification of documents,
The legal counsel of Bea alleged that Bea “simply approved” the certificate of ownership/certificate of Philippine Registry of MT Princess Empress.
“Indeed, to date, there is still no official finding as to the actual cause of the sinking of the vessel,” Atty. Dominic Solis, the lawyer of Bea, said in a media report.
“On the other hand, our client has been cleared by the DOJ in the falsification case filed by the NBI in relation to the incident,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline DOTr: MARINA officials dismissed over Princess Empress sinking
