The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that the parties responsible for the Mindoro oil spill will be facing criminal charges, as well as administrative charges for government officials involved.
The Undersecretary mentioned that criminal complaints for falsification of public documents and use of falsified documents were filed. Additionally, the cases are pending in court and arrest warrants are expected to be issued against officials of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The Ombudsman has also filed a case against government officials who issued the licenses permitting the Princess Empress to set sail.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the regional directors and the engineer who issued the license for the Princess Empress have already been dismissed from service.
In his letter to MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista confirmed MARINA's findings 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 service in connection with the Princess Empress incident.
The sinking resulted in an extensive oil spill affecting Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas.
Vasquez stated that the Mindoro case will serve as a model for handling the Bataan oil spill and other oil spill incidents across the country.
