Senator Legarda extends medical leave until October 9

Senator Loren Legarda has extended her medical leave through October 9, according to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. on Monday.

Bantug confirmed that Legarda’s newly approved leave spans three key periods: September 21 to 23, September 28 to October 2, and October 5 to 9.

Legarda has been on medical leave since August 3 and was last seen in the Senate chamber during a plenary session on July 29. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri previously disclosed that Legarda is undergoing treatment abroad for a serious lung illness. While Zubiri noted that Legarda is eager to return to the Philippines, her homecoming remains pending due to ongoing medical tests.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson shared that Legarda reached out to colleagues for encouragement, though she did not discuss a timeline for her return.

“Nagkausap kami ni Senator Loren. Twice na kaming nagkakausap. Wala naman siyang nabanggit kung siya ay babalik o hindi,” Lacson said in an interview. “Ang appeal niya sa amin, bilang kasamahan sa Senado, parang humingi lang siya ng moral support.”

The medical extension comes as Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, face plunder and graft charges. The complaints stem from allegations that Leviste’s renewable energy firm failed to supply solar power as mandated under its congressional franchise.

-Paraluman News