Senator Legarda Absent Amid Plunder, Graft Complaints

The Senate impeachment court again saw a familiar sight: empty seats for two suspended senators behind bars and another one in hiding. But there was one new absentee. Senator Loren Legarda skipped for two consecutive days the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday and Tuesday, August 3 and 4. This comes after the Office of the Ombudsman announced that there are pending plunder and graft complaints against her and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, over the latter’s solar energy projects. Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is in detention and facing plunder cases over his alleged involvement in flood control corruption, has been suspended. Senator Rodante Marcoleta has also been detained due to a plunder case over his campaign donations. Meanwhile, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been absent from the Senate amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. During the session on Monday, the chamber passed on third reading the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers, a bill which Legarda authored with other senators. So, where is Senator Legarda? Rappler asked Legarda’s office for the reason for the senator’s absence but we have yet to receive a reply. We will update this story once her office replies. In a statement on Friday, July 31, Legarda categorically denied the accusations, saying they were “utterly baseless and no public funds were involved.” “We are prepared to bring out the truth,” Legarda said. “We urge the public to be discerning, especially in light of the timing and nature of these allegations. We remain confident that once the facts are laid bare, we will be vindicated and our names cleared,” she added. Amid the controversy, will Legarda be in the Senate in its next session and trial, or will she remain absent like other senators? – with reports from Jairo Bolledo/Rappler.com