MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is continuing to raise questions over Sen. Loren Legarda’s repeated medical leave extensions, with its spokesperson saying the circumstances surrounding her absence have added to the agency’s concerns as she faces a preliminary investigation alongside her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste.
Assistant Ombudsman and spokesperson Mico Clavano said Friday that if Legarda is suffering from a serious illness, the repeated extensions of her medical leave have prompted questions from the anti-graft body.
“If [Legarda] really has a serious illness, then she should have requested just one medical leave, rather than getting repeated extensions,” Clavano said, according to reports.
Legarda’s latest leave extension is her fourth in August and is set to cover absences through September 2, according to Senate officials. Her office has maintained that her medical leaves were filed in accordance with Senate rules.
Ombudsman Flags Timing of Leave and Overseas Travel
The controversy comes as the Ombudsman conducts a preliminary investigation into allegations involving Legarda, Leviste and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in connection with solar energy projects.
Investigators have alleged that government rights and contracts involving solar projects were improperly secured and that several projects were not completed as promised. The Ombudsman has said terminated contracts involving Leviste’s Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. resulted in more than P10.44 billion in alleged unpaid financial obligations to the government, according to the latest Inquirer report. These allegations remain under preliminary investigation and have not resulted in a finding of guilt.
Clavano has also pointed to the fact that both Legarda and Leviste were outside the Philippines while the investigation was underway. Immigration authorities previously confirmed that the senator and her son left the country separately on August 2 and that neither had derogatory records preventing their departure at the time.
Leviste, meanwhile, had sought travel authority covering a period from July 26 to September 24 and listed several countries he intended to visit, according to the Ombudsman. GMA News independently reported the Ombudsman’s characterization of the combination of Leviste’s extended overseas travel and Legarda’s repeated leave extensions as “suspicious.”
Legarda Pushes Back: ‘I Have Committed Absolutely No Wrongdoing’
Legarda has strongly rejected suggestions that her medical leave should be treated as evidence of wrongdoing.
In an earlier statement, she said her absences were filed in accordance with Senate rules and stressed that exercising a legal right should not expose anyone to unfounded accusations. She has also described the allegations against her as “utterly false and baseless” and said she remains confident that the facts will ultimately clear her name.
Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian has also publicly said that Legarda was dealing with a serious illness, a point noted in the latest report as the Ombudsman continued questioning the repeated extensions of her leave.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson has dismissed online reports claiming that Legarda was seeking asylum abroad, calling those reports fake news. He also said Legarda had previously experienced lung problems that reportedly required medical attention.
What Happens Next?
For now, the central issue remains unresolved: the Ombudsman says the circumstances surrounding the repeated leave extensions and overseas travel warrant scrutiny, while Legarda insists she is exercising her lawful rights and has done nothing wrong.
The preliminary investigation will determine whether there is sufficient basis to move forward with formal charges. Until then, the allegations against Legarda and the other respondents remain allegations, and they are entitled to due process and the opportunity to submit their counterarguments.
As Legarda’s latest medical leave approaches its scheduled end, attention is likely to remain focused on whether she will return to her Senate duties—and how the Ombudsman’s investigation will unfold in the weeks ahead.
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