MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda’s extended medical leave is drawing renewed scrutiny from the Office of the Ombudsman, even as her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, has sought a two-month leave from the House.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said on Tuesday, August 18, that Legarda’s latest request to extend her medical leave abroad was “quite suspicious,” as the senator remains under preliminary investigation together with Leviste and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi over alleged irregularities involving solar-energy projects.
Legarda has repeatedly extended her medical leave since the controversy emerged. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed that her latest leave covers August 17 to 19, following earlier periods of absence.
The timing has attracted attention because the senator and her son were also confirmed by immigration authorities to have left the Philippines separately on August 2. The Bureau of Immigration said their departures were recorded separately, amid the developing Ombudsman investigation.
Leviste seeks two-month House leave
The controversy widened after Leviste sought a two-month leave of absence from the House of Representatives.
The request comes as the lawmaker faces scrutiny from several government agencies and while the Ombudsman investigation involving his family’s solar-energy interests continues.
The latest developments have therefore placed both mother and son under an unusually high level of public attention, particularly because their leaves and travel occurred while government investigations were underway.
Still, a leave of absence by itself does not establish wrongdoing, and the Ombudsman’s characterization of Legarda’s leave as suspicious is an allegation or investigative concern—not a finding of guilt.
What is the Ombudsman investigating?
The Office of the Ombudsman announced on July 31 that it was pursuing a preliminary investigation involving Legarda, Leviste and Cusi over allegations connected to roughly P10 billion worth of solar-energy contracts.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said investigators were looking into allegations that the respondents conspired to secure exclusive government rights involving solar-energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions.
The Ombudsman also alleged that numerous solar-energy service contracts went to corporations within an alleged network linked to Leviste, while several projects were allegedly not developed as promised. The agency said the terminated contracts involved financial obligations to the government exceeding P10.44 billion.
The complaints reportedly involve possible violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713), and the Plunder Law (Republic Act No. 7080).
A preliminary investigation is an important distinction: it is conducted to determine whether there is sufficient basis to proceed with criminal charges. It is not a conviction.
Legarda denies the allegations
Legarda has strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as “utterly false and baseless.”
She also said no public funds were involved and maintained that she was prepared to face the allegations and establish the facts.
Her camp has questioned the timing and nature of the accusations, while expressing confidence that the matter will ultimately be resolved in her favor.
The competing narratives are now at the center of the controversy: the Ombudsman says its investigators found indications warranting further investigation, while Legarda maintains that the accusations have no factual basis.
The solar controversy goes beyond the leave issue
The investigation stems from broader questions surrounding solar-energy contracts associated with Leviste.
Remulla has argued that exclusive arrangements allegedly restricted competition and that some commitments connected to the projects were not fulfilled. Philstar reported that the Department of Energy had earlier flagged Solar Philippines over alleged failures to meet contractual commitments.
News5 likewise reported the Ombudsman’s allegation that several solar contracts were awarded to companies within an alleged network, with projects allegedly left undeveloped.
These allegations remain subject to investigation and the respondents are entitled to due process.
Why the latest leave matters
Legarda’s absence has become particularly notable because she is serving as a senator-judge in the ongoing impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte. Her continued absence means she has missed portions of the Senate proceedings while the Ombudsman investigation involving her and her son remains active.
That overlap is what makes the latest developments politically sensitive.
For now, the central questions remain unanswered: Will Legarda return as scheduled? What will happen with Leviste’s requested two-month leave? And will the Ombudsman find enough evidence to formally pursue criminal charges?
The answers could significantly affect the political and legal situation surrounding the mother-and-son tandem.
For the moment, however, the Ombudsman investigation remains ongoing, and neither Legarda nor Leviste has been found guilty of the allegations.
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