Hagedorn hits rivals, airs side on criminal complaint

Former Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Former Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn issued the statement on Tuesday after a criminal complaint was filed against him at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Retired General Eduardo Matillano and three others filed with the Ombudsman criminal complaint against Hagedorn in connection with the questionable use of P127 million funds supposed to be for the implementation of various local government projects and the purchase of sports uniforms.

The other complainants, Antonio Lagrada and Wilfredo Rama, also alleged that Hagedorn violated the anti-graft law for the questionable purchase of P2.3 million-worth of sports uniforms for local athletes in February 2010.

In a phone interview, Hagedorn said that the fund allocations went through regular process to make sure everything is in order.

On the P125-million malversation complaint, Hagedorn said the complaint was based only on the Commission on Audit’s observation report.

“It is not yet final and we have already submitted all the required documents required by the COA. The COA has yet to issue a final ruling. These people who filed a complaint against me cannot wait for the final COA ruling before filing a complaint,” he said.

“But I am confident that these complaints will be dismissed,” Hagedorn said, adding that the complaint is merely political.

“They do not want me to return to politics,” he said.

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