Legarda Extends Medical Leave Again

Senator Loren Legarda has once again extended her medical leave, with the latest extension pushing her absence until October 9, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed. Bantug revealed that Legarda's approved medical leaves encompass periods from September 21 to 23, September 28 to October 2, and October 5 to 9. This marks the latest in a series of medical leaves filed by the senator, who initially left the country on August 2 with her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste. This departure came just days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced plunder and graft complaints against them, specifically related to Leviste’s solar energy projects. Legarda had first filed for medical leave from August 3 to 5 and has continued to extend it since then. She had previously addressed the public, confirming her medical leave filing with the Senate and stating, “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.” Currently, Legarda is among several senators who have stopped receiving their salaries due to prolonged absence from Senate plenary sessions and the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This group also includes Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, who are detained on plunder charges, and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is reportedly in hiding following an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Source: Rappler Philippines