The Doña Paz settlement

Please allow me to provide our brief statement on the Doña Paz settlement which is the subject of today’s editorial of the Philippine STAR (http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2017/03/06/1678366/editorial-indemnity...-us-court) and last Saturday’s news (http://www.philstar.com/nation/2017/03/05/1677977/dona-paz-survivors-heirs-get-compensation).

“The Louisiana Court issued its final Order approving a Class Settlement to compensate valid claims arising from the Doña Paz incident. Even though Caltex Philippines Inc. was absolved of liabilities by the Philippine Supreme Court in a related case, since Caltex merely chartered one of the vessels and did not operate it, we welcome the decision of the Louisiana Court which will provide claimants with closure to long-pending cases in the Philippines and the state of Louisiana.”

We would also like to correct the following factual items provided in the Philippine STAR article/s:

1. Phil STAR articles: That the payment amount varies, from P200,000 to P400,000.

Fact: There is only one amount per decedent, and that is about P200,000 or the equivalent of $4,000.

2. Phil STAR article: That Chevron owns MV Vector.

Fact: Chevron (formerly Caltex) was merely a charterer of MV Vector. It does not own or operate the said vessel.

3. Phil STAR article: That the Louisiana Court directed Chevron to pay the victims.

Fact: This is a settlement case that was approved by the Louisiana Court, taking into consideration its fairness and justness.

 4. Phil STAR  article: That the settlement was directed by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Fact: The settlement agreement was approved by a Louisiana District Court. —  Atty. Raissa Romina Bautista, Head, Policy Government and Public Affairs, International Products, Chevron Philippines Inc.