Manila, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) has found the owners of Sulpicio Lines Inc. (ALI) liable for the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars in 2008 that killed more than 800 people.

The court ordered the owners of the shipping firm to pay the families of the victims P129.8 million in damages.

In a 237-page decision penned by Associate Justice Wilhelmina Jorge-Wagan, a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times, the appellate court said the owners of the shipping firm, which has been renamed Philippine Span Asia Carriers Inc. were grossly negligent.

Affirming with modifications the award for actual, compensatory, moral and exemplary damages issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 49, the CA ordered the accused/appellants Enrique Go, Eusebio Go,Carlos Go, Victoriano Go, Dominador Go, Ricardo Go, Edward Go and Edgar Go to pay a total of P129, 854, 502.57 to the victims' families and relatives.

"The RTC committed no reversible error when it declared that the appellants failed to discharge their duties as common carrier," the appellate court said in its June 28, 2024 ruling, which was officially received by the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) early this month.

PAO handles the civil cases filed by the heirs and survivors of the M/V Princess of the Stars that capsized off the coast of Romblon at the height of Typhoon Frank on June 21, 2008. Records showed that 814 passengers died and over 500 remain missing in the sea tragedy.

"As borne by the case records, the appellants Gos were grossly negligent in their management and in their failure to take decisive action which could have prevented the tragic event on June 21, 2008," the CA said.

The court stressed that the accused could not evade liability by "simply arguing that the Stars tragedy happened because of a fortuitous event."

It cited a Supreme Court ruling that for a fortuitous event to exempt a person from liability, "it is necessary that he be free from any previous negligence or misconduct."

"All told, we cannot turn a blind eye to this gruesome maritime tragedy which is now a dark page in our nation's history," Jorge-Wagan said.

"We commiserate with all the victims, those who perished, young and old alike but especially more so to the appellees in this case who still await justice for their deceased relatives," she added.

PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta and other PAO officials led by Deputy Chief Public Attorney and concurrent Forensics Laboratory Division director Erwin Erfe hailed the appellate court's ruling.

"For sure, the heirs and survivors would now be delighted with the favorable decision from the Court of Appeals but of course they would be much happier if the pending criminal cases filed against the accused would also be resolved soon and turn favorable to them," they said.