Senator Legarda confirms medical leave, debunks 'unwarranted' rumors about her travel

Senator Loren Legarda on Friday confirmed filing a formal medical leave with the Senate covering August 3 to 5, pushing back against what she called false and baseless allegations surrounding her recent overseas trip.

“I confirm that I filed a formal medical leave with the Senate covering August 3 to 5, 2026, in accordance with Senate rules,” Legarda said in a statement.

“I ask the public not to draw unwarranted conclusions from my travel or link it to the recent false and baseless allegations, which undeservedly besmirch a reputation that I have built over decades of public service.”

Legarda did not elaborate on the nature of her medical leave, nor did she address questions regarding her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag previously disclosed that Leviste flew to Hong Kong while Legarda traveled to France on Sunday, August 2.

The overseas trips follow an announcement from the Office of the Ombudsman that both lawmakers are under investigation for P10-billion plunder and graft complaints.

The probe stems from the alleged failure of Leviste’s renewable energy firm to supply solar power as mandated by its congressional franchise.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, Senator Erwin Tulfo confirmed Legarda's leave and noted that she had secured official travel authority from August 3 to 5.

"She asked for permission; she filed for a leave of absence. It is a medical leave," Tulfo said, noting that her absence was the reason she missed the recent impeachment hearing.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stated he had no prior details about her departure, saying, "I don't have any information about her foreign trip. Hindi pa po kami nag-uusap tungkol sa trip niya (We haven't spoken about her trip yet)."

Gatchalian added that Legarda’s flight did not require a formal travel authority from the Senate leadership.Senate Secretary General Renato Bantug confirmed that Legarda’s office officially notified the Senate secretariat on August 3 via a letter from her chief of staff stating that the lawmaker would be on medical leave through August 5.

-Paraluman News