Why Loren Legarda Wants the Public to Stop Making Assumptions About Her Travel
LOREN LEGARDA – Amid growing speculation surrounding her departure from the country, Loren Legarda has finally spoken out and asked the public not to give her travel a malicious meaning.
Senator Loren Legarda appealed to the public not to speculate or make unfounded conclusions regarding her recent travel outside the country, following reports that linked her and her son, Leandro Leviste, to their trip abroad.
Legarda and Leviste recently became the subject of news reports after they were said to have left the Philippines for another country. In response to the reports and questions surrounding her absence, the senator released a statement confirming that she had formally taken medical leave from the Senate.
“I confirm that I filed a formal medical leave with the Senate covering August 3 to 5, 2026, in accordance with Senate rules,” said the senator.
Legarda then appealed to the public not to associate her travel with what she described as “baseless allegations” involving her family. She stressed that people should avoid creating stories or making assumptions without sufficient evidence.
“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,” she added.
According to Legarda, her medical leave was filed in accordance with Senate rules and procedures. She maintained that there was no reason for the public to attach malicious interpretations to her trip or connect it to the recent allegations against her family.
The senator’s statement came after National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag confirmed on Thursday, August 6, that both Legarda and Leviste had left the country on Sunday, August 2.
According to Matibag, the mother and son traveled separately and took different flights, although both reportedly passed through Hong Kong before continuing to their final destination in France.
“Magkahiwalay. Si Leandro Leviste, umalis noong August 2 papuntang Hong Kong. Si senator naman po, umalis noong August 2 rin. Magkaiba po na flight via Hong Kong, pero ang final destination is France,” Matibag said.
Matibag also emphasized that the NBI had already made public the signed subpoena sent to Leviste as early as July 31. He added that Leviste had reportedly been able to coordinate with his lawyer before leaving the country.
As speculation surrounding their trip continued, Legarda reiterated her appeal for fairness, urging the public not to immediately link her travel abroad to allegations that she insisted were false and without basis.
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