Senator Loren Legarda extends medical leave until first week of September

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. announced Monday that Senator Loren Legarda has extended her medical leave through the first week of September.

Legarda, who has been absent from the Senate since August 3 and was last seen in plenary on July 29, notified the chamber that she will take leave on August 24–26 and September 1–2.

The extension comes amid a high-profile Office of the Ombudsman investigation involving Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.

Both face graft and plunder charges over allegations that Leviste’s renewable energy firm failed to supply solar power promised under its congressional franchise—a franchise Leviste obtained in 2019 while Legarda chaired the Senate Finance Committee.

The Ombudsman raised concerns over the timing of their absences, describing Legarda’s extended leave and Leviste’s two-month travel authority as "suspicious."

According to the National Bureau of Investigation, Legarda traveled to France, while Leviste departed for Hong Kong earlier this month. Legarda has denied all allegations, asserting that she has consistently maintained her integrity.

-Paraluman News