The Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) has closed its investigation of the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars off San Fernando, Romblon.
BMI Chairman Rear Admiral Ramon Liwag said investigators have gathered enough information to shed light on the sea tragedy.
Liwag also said the BMI will submit its final report to the Philippine Coast Guard next week, and the Coast Guard will then forward it to the Department of Transportation and Communications.
The BMI launched its probe to determine the circumstances that led to the ferry's sinking, inclduing who should be held liable, and what maritime regulations should be changed to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.
Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the capsized ferry, earlier decried the BMI probe as "irregular, illegal, and null and void" because the agency has no jurisdiction and authority to investigate tragedy.
The shipping company also said it is the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) that has authority to investigate maritime incidents.
However, a petition for a temporary restraining order filed by Sulpicio Lines at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) was junked last Thursday.
The House of Representatives is also conducting its own investigation on the incident, while MARINA is conducting a hearing on a petition to cancel the franchise of Sulpicio Lines.
The MARINA hearing, however, has been rescheduled to July 22 following a request by the shipping company's lawyers to exclude government solicitors from participating in the proceedings. -- With reports from the ABS-CBN News Channel