Union doubts competence of MARINA OIC

Employees of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) have raised questions regarding the qualifications of their new officer in charge, transportation undersecretary Elena Bautista.

“Our union is concerned because Bautista does not have actual experience in the maritime sector unlike our previous administrator, Vicente Suazo,” who had served with the Philippine Port Authority.

Bautista took over as officer in charge following the recent resignation of Vicente Suazo.

The employees were apparently disappointed that Malacañang did not choose Suazo’s replacement from the current crop of Marina executives.

“The two deputy administrators, Gloria Banas and Col. Primo Rivera, could have been promoted,” said Arnie Santiato, president of the MARINA employees association.

In public eye

“Members of our union are concerned that their years of experience working for Marina will also be wasted if outsiders with no experience are simply appointed by Bautista to various posts,” Santiago said in a phone interview.

The maritime authority has been in the public eye recently because of the investigations into the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars at the height of Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen) in June.

The public is watching whether MARINA will cancel the franchise of the sunken ship’s owner, Sulpicio Lines, whose ships have been involved in other major maritime accidents.

Suazo said his departure, which surprised MARINA employees, was not due to “political pressure.”

“I sounded out the president maybe a month ago. I had been considering quitting for a long time,” Suazo said.

Sulpicio hearings

Suazo said MARINA’s hearings on the proposed cancellation of Sulpicio Lines’ franchise will not be affected by the change in leadership. The hearings, he said, were being conducted by an independent body.

Bautista, for her part, said she has not received communication from the MARINA employees regarding their reservations on her appointment. She said there will be a general assembly on Thursday and she will take the opportunity to talk to employees.

Meanwhile, Sulpicio Lines Inc. has compensated nearly 600 families who lost relatives in the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars. Bautista said that of the 673 who filed claims, 589 have received P200,000 each.