Lawyer and senatorial candidate Adel Tamano blasted MARINA for the recent sea tragedies which resulted in deaths of no less than 20 people. More than 50 are also still missing.

"While it's true that shipowners must be made responsible for negligence, authorities must also be held liable. Administrative cases must be filed against officials who do not implement the laws effectively," the young lawyer said.

"We never seem to learn about these tragedies. It has become such a common occurrence that the public is no longer shocked," Tamano said.

M/V Baleno 9 sank a little past 10pm December 26, 2009 on its way to Batangas City from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. M/V Catalyn B, on the other hand, sank 3 nautical miles from Limbones Island Christmas Eve.

"It seems that MARINA is inefficient in checking the vessels' seaworthiness. Does MARINA also have a way of checking these maritime companies? Why are substandard vessels allowed to sail?," Tamano asked.

"There have been a lot of maritime mishaps already. How many must perish before we resolve all these tragedies?," Tamano emphasized.

"Our country is an archipelago so the government has an important duty to insure that maritime travel is safe," he added.

Tamano also reiterated the need to file administrative cases against authorities who need to "answer to the people."

"The public must know that the government does not tolerate ineffective officials. If they can't do their jobs well, then relieve them from their posts and file appropriate administrative cases," he stressed.