Ex-Palawan solon charged with malversation

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a criminal case against former Palawan congressman Douglas Hagedorn over his alleged failure to return the firearms issued to him several years ago during his term as a barangay chairman.

In a case information sheet filed before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan, the ombudsman charged Hagedorn with malversation of public property under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

The ombudsman said Hagedorn, during his term as the chairman of Barangay San Miguel in Puerto Princesa City, received four firearms valued at P71,132 from the city government.

Hagedorn was also then serving as the president of the Association of Barangay Captains of Puerto Princesa City and an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or city council.

The ombudsman Hagedorn failed to return the firearms even after his term as barangay chairman, president of the Association of Barangay Captains and city council member ended in 2010.

The ombudsman said Hagedorn's failure to return the public items under his control and care was tantamount to misappropriating them “for his own personal use or benefit” to the damage and prejudice of the government.

The alleged unreturned firearms include a Mossberg G12 shotgun with serial number MV86944H, a Norinco (G12) with serial number 0212323, and two Shooters Arms Manufacturing Inc. (SAM) caliber 45 pistols with serial numbers E04033260 and E04033254.

The charge sheet was prepared by assistant special prosecutor Jorge Espinal and was approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Oct. 13, 2017. The case, however, was formally filed at the Sandiganbayan only on January 23.

The ombudsman recommended to the anti-graft court to set Hagedorn's bail bond at P40,000.

Among the witnesses listed by the ombudsman to testify against Hagedorn were incumbent Puerto Princesa City mayor Lucilo Bayron, acting City General Services Officer Tiburcio Magay and the city government's property custodian.

Hagedorn, the older brother of former Puerto Princesa City mayor Edward Hagedorn, was elected as Palawan Third District representative in May 2013. He sought reelection in 2016 but lost to Gil Acosta while the younger Hagedorn lost to Bayron.