Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla expressed confidence on Friday that Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, will return to the country after traveling abroad while under investigation.
Remulla addressed the matter following confirmation from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag that both lawmakers had departed the Philippines on separate flights.
According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Legarda left for France and Leviste flew to Hong Kong on August 2, with no existing derogatory records to block their travel.
Dismissing allegations that the duo fled to evade the complaints being reviewed by the Office of the Ombudsman, Remulla shared his perspective on their departure.
“Yun ba tatakasan talaga nila? I don’t think tatakas sila. Babalik yan. Naniniwala kami (na) babalik,” Remulla told reporters.
The Office of the Ombudsman recently initiated a preliminary investigation into graft and plunder charges against Legarda and Leviste regarding more than ₱10 billion in alleged unfinished solar projects, alongside supposed unpaid debts tied to Leviste’s renewable energy companies.
Additionally, the NBI requested Leviste to respond to claims linking him to a proposed plot to manufacture a sex scandal targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto—an allegation Leviste has denied.
Remulla cautioned that failing to return voluntarily could lead to severe legal consequences if arrest warrants are issued down the line.
“Baka gusto nilang umuwi na nakaposas kapag hindi sila bumalik,” the Ombudsman warned.