Palawan lawmaker, ex-Puerto Princesa mayor Hagedorn, 76

MANILA, Philippines — Palawan third district Rep. Edward Hagedorn, who also served as mayor of Puerto Princesa City, died yesterday, according to a post on his official Facebook page. He was 76.

“With heavy hearts, we inform you of the passing of a beloved friend, brother, husband, father and public servant... Our dear congressman died peacefully,” the post read.

No details were given as to the cause of his death.

”As of the moment, the family has not discussed any public service arrangements. However, we promise to keep you informed as soon as we finalize the details,” the post added.

Hagedorn was first elected mayor of Puerto Princesa in May 1992. He ran the city until 2013, with a break in 2001. In 2002, he was proclaimed mayor in a recall election.

The disqualification case filed against him in the 2010 polls, over claims that he reached the three-term limit when he won the recall election and the 2004 and 2007 regular polls, was dismissed.

Part of his legacy is the declaration of the Palawan Underground River as one of the new seven wonders of nature.

Speaker Martin Romualdez and Hagedorn’s other former colleagues in the House of Representatives as well as the Department of the Interior and Local Government expressed their condolences to the family of Hagedorn.

The provincial government of Palawan and Puerto Princesa city government mourned Hagedorn’s passing, calling him a dedicated public servant.