Rep. Leviste assisting his mother, Senator Legarda, as she undergoes treatment in France

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste is currently in France assisting his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, as she undergoes medical treatment for a lung and autoimmune condition, according to her spokesperson, Atty. Tony La Viña.

La Viña made the disclosure on Friday during the Kamuning Bakery Pandesal Forum in Quezon City when asked about the senator's health.

Legarda has been on medical leave since August 3, a day after she and Leviste reportedly left the country.

“Kasama niya [Legarda] si Leandro, who is the one assisting her sa medical needs niya as family. As you know, Leandro is her main family now, and so 'yun ang ginagawa nila,” La Viña said.

While La Viña declined to discuss specific details about Legarda’s condition, he shared that she has been dealing with the ailment for a long time and that “the Senate and the senators know.”

“Hindi siya ngayon lang. Matagal na siya, but aggravated siya when there is stress, when there is tension,” he said. “That is why I think she’s taking the opportunity to have this treated once and for all.”

Asked whether Legarda would return to the Philippines in time for the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, La Viña noted that there is still ample time before proceedings are expected to resume in November.

“November is far away,” he said. “So I will not rule it out na nandito na siya by November.”

La Viña explained that the prosecution could finish presenting its case within one or two weeks. The Senate is scheduled to take a recess in October to focus on the national budget before resuming the impeachment trial in November, where the timeline will depend on the defense's strategy.

“Ang alam ko sa trial is matatapos na siguro 'yung prosecution within a week or two. And then may recess sa October to do the budget. And then resume sila sa November. So depende ngayon sa defense, whether they will take one or two months,” he said.

La Viña maintained that Legarda can still participate in the final impeachment vote, noting that she had already taken her oath as a senator-judge and attended the initial portion of the trial prior to her medical leave. He added that, despite being abroad, Legarda continues to monitor the proceedings “as much as she can.”

The Senate impeachment court on Wednesday revised its previous rule requiring 16 votes to convict the Vice President. Under the updated ruling, the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds vote of “all members of the Senate” applies specifically to senators who are “capable of participating” in the trial.

Legarda initially took medical leave from August 3 to August 5 and has since secured five extensions. Her latest approved leave covers October 5 to October 9.

-Paraluman News