Former Erap ally joins ruling party

President Arroyo swore Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn yesterday into the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

Hagedorn is the second political ally of ousted President Joseph Estrada and a "compadre" of presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr., who portrayed Hagedorn in a movie biography of the Puerto Princesa mayor.

Before shifting to Lakas-CMD, Hagedorn was a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) founded by businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.

Asked if he was abandoning Poe by joining the ruling party, Hagedorn said, "not really. We’re still friends. He is my compadre."

Poe was endorsed by and enjoys the full support of Estrada, who wooed his bosom buddy to join the 2004 presidential race.

Hagedorn, who was accompanied to Malacañang Palace by Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes of Lakas-CMD, was apparently the last to know that he was invited to the Palace to be sworn into the ruling party.

Interviewed before he was led to the President’s study, Hagedorn told Palace reporters that he was not taking any oath, but was merely there to meet with the President.

An hour later, Hagedorn emerged bearing a piece of paper, which turned out to be a document identifying him as a member of the ruling party.

Replying to reporters’ queries, Hagedorn said "Let’s put it this way, it is hard to say no to a debt of gratitude. (First Gentleman Jose Miguel) Mike Arroyo helped me in the recall elections."

Hagedorn won the recall elections in Puerto Princesa last year, but the Commission on Elections led by Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos refused to declare him the official winner.

Hagedorn elevated his case to the Supreme Court, which immediately upheld his victory and ordered the Comelec to proclaim him the winner.

When the President emerged from her study to administer Hagedorn’s oath, she greeted him thus: "Congratulations. Welcome on board."

Despite pleas for interviews after he took his oath, Hagedorn refused to face the media and quietly left the Palace.

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman Michael Defensor, the President’s official campaign spokesman, vehemently denied that Hagedorn had been "set up" to take his oath as a member of the Lakas-CMD.

"If there was a feeling of ‘setup,’ it’s not because of the President but because he’s really been supportive of President Arroyo," Defensor said.

In a telephone interview, Defensor said he knew that Hagedorn has long been a supporter of the President.

"(Hagedorn) has been working hand-in-hand with the government and, perhaps, he realized the leadership of President Arroyo is best for the country," he said.

The Puerto Princesa mayor is the latest recruit of the ruling party, after Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Constantino Jaraulla shifted from the Padayon Pilipino party.

"Mayor Hagedorn is a welcome addition ... and we know he can assist this administration," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.