Hagedorn pleads not guilty in SALN case

Former Palawan mayor Edward Hagedorn on Tuesday pleaded not guilty in his graft cases over his alleged failure to disclose some of his properties and business interests in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Hagedorn entered his plea before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division for all nine counts each of violation of Section 7 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, and perjury.

Based on the information on the case, Hagedorn is said to have "unlawfully and criminally" failed to detail several of his real properties, motor vehicles and business interests in his sworn SALN from 2004 to 2012.

These include several residential and commercial buildings in Puerto Princesa City, motorcycle and sports utility vehicles, the Palawan Jolly Foods Corporation, Puerto Princesa Broadcasting Corporation, Green Forest Blue Waters Corporation and Hagedorn Travel and Tours Inc.—all of which list Hagedorn as incorporator.

The Sandiganbayan had earlier denied Hagedorn's motion for reconsideration to dismiss his case. 

In his motion, Hagedorn urged the court to reconsider its ruling on the grounds that the prosecution violated his right to a speedy disposition of case. He said he cannot be simultaneously charged of the crimes he is accused of committing.

The Sandiganbayan, however, said his earlier allegations of an unjustified delay were a "mere rehash of his earlier pleadings and did not raise any new matter."

"The accused simply restates the arguments already addressed and found unmeritorious by this Court in its Resolution dated July 19,2017. Thus, the Court is not persuaded that this issue requires any further discussion," the resolution read.

"The Court upholds the present charges against accused Hagedorn," it added. —KG, GMA News