Hagedorn faces perjury charges for alleged false SALN declaration

THE Office of the Ombudsman will file perjury charges against former Puerto Princesa mayor Edward Hagedorn before the Sandiganbayan for alleged false declarations of wealth in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities Networth (SALN).

In a statement, the antigraft office said Hagedorn was ordered charged before the antigraft court with nine counts of Perjury, one count each of violation of Section 7 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Section 8 of R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, over his allegedly untruthful statements in his SALN from 2004 to 2012.

In its May 12 resolution, the Ombudsman said Hagedorn allegedly failed to declare ownership of 59 parcels of real property and 49 vehicles, including motorcycles, luxury vehicles such as Volvo, Toyota Landcruiser, BMW, and other sports utility vehicles.

He also allegedly failed to disclose his business interests in the firms Palawan Jolly Foods Corporation, Puerto Princesa Broadcasting Corporation, Puerto Prince Bee Foods Corporation, Green Forest Blue Waters Corporation, Radiant Home Land Development, Inc., and Hagedorn Travel and Tours, Inc.

Hagedorn allegedly “concealed information about his ownership of real and personal properties by failing to accurately declare them in his SALNs.”

“(A)n examination of respondent’s SALN from 2004 to 2012 would reveal that, during the said years, he declared only three real properties located in Puerto Princesa City and one real property located in Parañaque City as his own… (B)y any standard, the disparity between the number of realties registered in respondent’s name and that declared in his SALNs is too significant to be dismissed,” the Ombudsman added.

The Ombudsman said tax declarations submitted during the preliminary investigations show that Hagedorn allegedly has more than three real properties registered under Hagedorn’s name – five buildings, four commercial lands, 10 agriculture lands, and 40 residential lands.

Public officials are required to submit truthful and accurate SALNs according to RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Failure to declare a truthful statement of wealth is punishable with a five year imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding P5,000 according to RA 6713.

Meanwhile, a person commits perjury by deliberately making an untruthful statement in a document required by law to be sworn before any public officer, the Ombudsman said. AC