Legarda Extends Medical Leave for Fifth Time Amid Graft Probe

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Loren Legarda has extended her medical leave for the fifth time, keeping her away from the Senate until Sept. 16. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, stepped up his criticism of the senator’s prolonged absence amid a preliminary investigation into alleged P10.44-billion irregularities involving solar power projects. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug on Monday confirmed that Legarda would be on extended leave. “Yes. For Sept. 7-9 and [Sept.] 14-16,” Bantug said in a text message when asked if the senator had filed another extension. Legarda first filed medical leave from Aug. 3 to 5 and has since repeatedly sought extensions, mostly covering Mondays to Wednesdays, the days set by the Senate impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Senate leaders have said she is undergoing treatment for a serious lung-related illness. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Panfilo Lacson have separately said Legarda is being treated for a lung problem. Legarda has not publicly disclosed details of her condition. At a press conference on Monday, Remulla suggested that Legarda and her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, might not return to the Philippines, saying they appeared to be avoiding accountability. “They probably won’t come back because it seems like they’re avoiding paying for what they did,” Remulla said in Filipino. He described the two as “running away and hiding somewhere else,” and said the Ombudsman would continue pursuing the case. Remulla said he would travel to France on Friday to coordinate with French authorities, amid information that Legarda, Leviste and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co were in that country. “We will make the world smaller,” he said in Filipino, adding that France should not become a refuge for people accused of stealing public wealth. Remulla said his office has been considering measures to ensure that Legarda and Leviste remain available to face investigation, including possible moves involving their passports, as the agency continues its preliminary probe. Remulla’s remarks came as Legarda’s repeated medical leave extensions continued to draw scrutiny. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano earlier described the extensions as “quite suspicious,” noting that they coincided with its preliminary investigation into complaints of plunder and graft against Legarda, Leviste and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. The investigation concerns allegations that Leviste’s renewable energy company failed to deliver solar power commitments under its congressional franchise, resulting in billions of pesos in alleged unpaid obligations. Remulla has said Legarda was included because she was Senate finance committee chair when the franchise was secured. Records from the National Bureau of Investigation showed that Legarda left for France on Aug. 2, a day before her initial medical leave took effect. Her son separately left the country on the same day. Legarda has rejected the allegations as false and baseless and previously said she had complied with Senate rules in filing her medical leave. She has also maintained that no public funds were involved. /cb