Hagedorn: I’m no political butterfly

PALAYAN CITY, Philippines – Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn said yesterday that former President Joseph Estrada had asked him to join the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), but he declined to avoid being tagged as a political butterfly.

Hagedorn said as an independent candidate, he relies on the support of three big groups – League of Municipalities of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines and Liga ng mga Barangay.

“I count on their solid support and with this, I hope to get elected to the Senate in May,” he said, adding he has no problem with mobility and logistics unlike other independent candidates.

He said his advocacies would focus primarily on the environment, local governance, tourism and agriculture, and he would move for a revision of the Local Government Code to make it attuned to present realities.

The Senate aspirant said he would apply the Puerto Princesa experience in helping spur tourism and agricultural development in the country.