Senator Loren Legarda has requested a three-day extension for her medical leave while facing an Office of the Ombudsman inquiry into alleged multibillion-peso non-existent solar power ventures connected to her and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.
Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. verified on Monday that Legarda’s office formally requested to prolong her absence covering August 17 through August 19.
“Yes. Her office sent in a letter this morning. Medical leave from 17 to 19 August,” Bantug said.
The additional leave keeps Legarda away from her responsibilities as a senator-judge in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, a proceeding she has missed for nearly two weeks.
Her extended absence occurs as Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla investigates possible graft and plunder charges against Legarda, Leviste, and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi over allegedly questionable solar power initiatives.
Inquirers are looking into allegations that Legarda misused her senatorial leverage to secure solar power franchises tied to Leviste, some of which were purportedly non-existent despite carrying multi-billion-peso valuations.
The investigation remains in its initial phase, and authorities have not established any legal liability against Legarda, Leviste, or Cusi.