Former Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn announced that he no longer wishes to run for public office. He added that he is happy and contented with his life away from politics, this amidst rumors that he is eyeing a public post this coming election.
In an exclusive interview with Bong Villanueva Vlog aired in Palawan Daily News last January 31, the 74-year-old Hagedorn categorically denied any plans of running as Mayor, Congressman, or even Governor in the 2022 elections. His reasons: funding and the political game has greatly changed.
“Wala na talaga akong planong tumakbo, last time nga hindi na ko kumandidato dahil unang-una ibang-iba na ang pulitika ngayon, ‘di kagaya nung una. Noon eh pagkatapos ng eleksyon lahat bati-bati, eh ngayon pagkatapos ng eleksyon — kasuhan demandahan, tapos pati pamilya nadi-divide. Talagang aaminin ko hindi ko na kaya yung funding ng pulitika. Mahirap.” Hagedorn said.
Hagedorn hopes that announcing his intention not to return to politics would positively impact the community and foster unity among local leaders we currently have.
“Pag tatakbo na naman ako tapos natalo, yung mga tumulong sa akin lalong nahihirapan eh, kaya gusto ko mag unite lang lahat. Kung yung pag-atras ko sa pulitika makakatulong para magkaroon ng unity at ma i-focus yung kanilang resources sa development at sa tulong sa tao, willing ako dun, kasi yun lang naman ang gusto ko. Bakit ako tumatakbo? Para tulungan yung tao,” Hagedorn explain.
The former Mayor, who has been out of government service for almost 8 years, insists that during this pandemic, unity is important. He believes that if the City and Provincial governments join forces, no one will be left behind in this crisis.
“Etu yung panahon ngayon may crisis nahaharap tayo sa pandemic, eh haluan mo pa ng pulitika eh gutom na yung tao, eto yung panahon na dapat magkaisa kasi may problemang malaki sa hinaharap. Hindi lang ‘to problema ng isang tao problema ‘to nating lahat. Pero may resources tayo pag pinagsama ang pera ng lungsod at probinsya kayang kaya,” Hagedorn added.
On Division of Palawan
With the plebiscite for the division of Palawan into 3 provinces looming, Hagedorn recalls favoring the division during the term of the late Palawan Governor Salvador Socrates. While they did not pursue the division, he believes that dividing Palawan into two would be better.
“Para sa akin nung una open ako, panahon pa ni Gob. Socrates. Hatiin ang Palawan sa dalawa — north and south lang, tapos dalawang governor na magpapatakbo ng boung Palawan. Eh pero yung sa tatlo hindi ko nakita yung wisdom, dahil hindi naman tayo nadagdagan ng pondo nawala pa sa atin ang Malampaya. Pero siyempre opinion ko lang yun, eh ang iba nating opisyal may kanya-kanya ring pananaw. Hindi rin natin masabi, baka tama rin yung kanilang kagustuhan na i-divide sa tatlo,” Hagedorn explained.
Hagedorn admits that while his voice will not count in the coming plebiscite, since he is a registered voter in the City, he believes that Palaweños are smart enough to decide if the division will be good or bad for the province.
“Sa ngayon hindi ko na yan binigyan ng focus dahil hindi naman ako makakaboto, manggugulo lang ako ‘pag sinabi kong hindi tama yan eh wala naman ako magagawa, at saka ang taong bayan ang boboto, matatalino naman mga taga-Palawan alam naman nila kung masama yan o para sa kabutihan,” Hagedorn shared.
During the interview, Hagedorn said that he is enjoying his life with his family and grandchildren. He is practicing a healthy lifestyle and spends his time wisely especially now that there are many restrictions being implemented. He admits that some people still seek assistance from him, and he does what he can to help.
“Yung interaction natin sa mga tao, nung panahon ko pinapakinggan ko mga problema, yung marinig mo sila at eto yung hinaing, at hawak ko yung Gobyerno puwede ako tumulong, yun ang nami-miss ko,” Hagedorn said.
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