Hagedorn files libel suit vs 5 journalists

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn has filed six counts of libel against a columnist, editors and circulation managers of two Manila-based tabloids for publishing what he described as malicious, defamatory and damaging articles against him.

Named respondents in Hagedorn’s seven-page libel complaint were Joey Galicia Venancio, Ernie Baluyot and Edwin Alcala, columnist, editor and circulation manager, respectively, of Police Files! Tonite (PFT). Also included in the complaint were Hataw editor-in-chief Joe Dalde and circulation manager Lenie Venancio.

In his complaint, Hagedorn said the two tabloids published articles against him allegedly with malice and meant to destroy his reputation.

Hagedorn said Venancio, in his column "Pulis! Pulis!," which appeared simultaneously on page three of PFT and page four of Hataw, discussed the contents of a "white paper" which implicated Hagedorn in several criminal acts.

It was stated in the "white paper" that Hagedorn allegedly ordered the killing of radio broadcaster and former Puerto Princesa vice mayor Fernando "Dong" Batul last May and also allegedly ordered the killing of Rev. Raul Domingo, a pastor of the United Church of the Philippines (UCCP) on Aug. 20, 2005.

Hagedorn was likewise associated with the Abu Sayyaf group and was allegedly involved in the sabotage that caused the crash of Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes’ helicopter after the 2004 election. He was linked to the killing of former mayor Dennis Socrates as well.

Hagedorn denied all the allegations.

In the article, Venancio, however, placed a disclaimer saying that everyone mentioned in the column can issue a clarification or air their side regarding the accusations.

"They claimed that the article was based on an alleged e-mail from a certain Anthony Abueg. Not only is this claim patently self serving, it is also an obvious attempt to avoid liability for the defamatory allegations contained in the article," Hagedorn said in a statement.

In a telephone interview, Venancio said that his only reason for publishing the white paper is to inform the public.

He also claimed that after the publication, he published an article citing the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) report on the Batul’s case noting that Hagedorn has nothing to do with the killing.

"I’m ready to face the charges against me and I’m going to prove to them na walang malisya sa ipinalabas kong artikulo (that the article was published without malice)," Venancio said. — Arnell Ozaeta