CA upholds P136-M payout for Princess of the Stars victims

The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed its decision ordering Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI), now known as Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (PSACC), to pay more than P136 million to the relatives of victims of the 2008 M/V Princess of the Stars sinking.

In its amended July 2025 decision, the court found “gross negligence and bad faith” on the part of SLI, which owned the ferry that sank off the coast of Romblon. The ruling orders PSACC to pay the heirs and relatives of 71 victims P136,329,914.38.

The court also reaffirmed the personal liability of the shipowners — Enrique Go, Eusebio Go, Carlos Go, Victoriano Go, Dominador Go, Ricardo Go, Edward Go and Edgar Go — stating they “were grossly negligent in directing its affairs and they are solidarily liable with the PSACC to the appellees.”

The amended decision detailed that “the actuations of the appellants during the incident attending the unfortunate sinking of the Stars were far below the standard of care and circumspection that the law on common carriers demanded.”

The Public Attorney’s Office, which represents the victims’ heirs and relatives in civil cases, lauded the amended decision and said that evidence showed the shipowners were grossly negligent in their management of PSACC and failed to take decisive action that could have prevented the tragic event.

Each of the four survivors — Gerardo Pelimer, Francisco Batula, Sosan Lisbo and Rodel Laborte — was awarded P400,000 in moral damages and another P400,000 in exemplary damages.

The Court of Appeals explained that the survivors endured significant struggle during the raging storm and witnessed their loved ones perish.

To recall, the M/V Princess of the Stars sank on 21 June 2008, during typhoon “Frank,” resulting in the deaths of 814 passengers.