By Czarina Nicole Ong
Former Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn is asking the Sandiganbayan Third Division to take another look at his motion to quash as he filed a motion for reconsideration seeking to have his malversation of public property charge dismissed.
Edward Hagedorn (ERWIN G. BELEO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Hagedorn has earlier been slapped with a violation of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code for failing to properly account for 14 firearms back in 2013.
Hagedorn stated in his MR that he "respectfully disagrees" with the August 31 resolution of the anti-graft court, which decided to push through with the trial of his case.
The former mayor said the Sandiganbayan should not "close its eyes to the facts" of the case and "still give due course to the prosecution" even after they presented "weak" evidence.
Since the subject rifles were already surrendered and accounted for even before the filing of his criminal rap, Hagedorn said this shows his good faith.
"The accused, in good faith, took the responsibility upon himself,to track down the whereabouts of the firearms and obtaining the same, made arrangements to secure and surrender the said firearms to the proper government authorities," his MR read.
Hagedorn added that the presumption that he converted the subject firearms for his personal use is even demolished by the affidavits of Rogelio Roquid and Ezron Evangelista, who said that Hagedorn simply kept the firearms of his personnel for protection.
"The presumption of conversion, therefore, perishes, and with it, so too should accused indictment meet its end," the MR added.
On July 1, 2013, Hagedorn reportedly took advantage of his official position when he failed to be accountable for the custody of 14 Armalite rifles -- all public properties placed under his control and care -- valued at P490,000, with the following serial numbers: 238383, 213536, 171858, 229071, 9058310, 220420, 054233, 201761, 203588, 9014982, 171230, 4912083, 9058027, and 111467.