Perjury raps filed vs 3 Puerto Princesa employees

MANILA, Philippines - Perjury charges were filed against three employees of Puerto Princesa city hall for filing allegedly spurious plunder and malversation complaints against former city mayor Edward Hagedorn. 

Puerto Princesa City prosecutor Joy Olga Rabang filed the complaint against Rodrigo Saucelo, Wilfredo Rama and Antonio Lagrada on Aug. 25.

The three employees filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman in April, claiming Hagedorn illegally obtained P4 million in public funds. They also accused Hagedorn of “ghost purchases” of electric vehicles. 

Hagedorn submitted to the city prosecutor’s office a video showing Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron riding one of the electric vehicles and pictures of the vehicles parked in the city hall compound. 

He also cited a Commission on Audit report confirming the issuance of receipts and other documents covering the purchase of the vehicles.

Former Puerto Princesa City administrator Augusto Rocamora filed a separate complaint against the three employees for claiming he connived with Hagedorn in issuing 18 government checks for the project.