Loren Legarda Hits Back at Claims Over Her Extended Medical Leave
LOREN LEGARDA – The senator has rejected claims questioning her continued medical leave while she is outside the country, saying the accusations have no basis and should not damage her record in public service.
The issue came after Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said on August 18 that Legarda’s medical leave had been extended for what he believed was the third or fourth time. He said the repeated extensions had raised concerns among authorities.
Legarda responded that she filed her medical leave according to Senate rules and maintained that she had not violated any law or policy. She said she has served the Filipino people for more than three decades with dedication and integrity and would not allow unsupported allegations to undermine her record.
The senator also urged the public to carefully examine the accusations against her, including their timing and basis. She said she remains confident that the truth will eventually come out and clear her name.
The controversy comes as the Office of the Ombudsman prepares a preliminary investigation involving Legarda and her son, businessman Leandro Leviste.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier announced that the investigation would look into an exclusive contract involving Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., a company founded by Leviste in 2013.
Authorities have raised concerns about the contract and its possible impact on the government. Remulla also alleged that Legarda may have had a role in helping Leviste secure the exclusive deal while she was chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance.
Legarda has rejected the allegations and maintained that she has done nothing wrong. She emphasized that her medical leave was filed through the proper Senate process and that she was simply exercising a right allowed under existing rules.
She called on the public not to immediately believe accusations without knowing the complete facts. Legarda said she trusts that the truth will eventually establish that she and her camp committed no wrongdoing.
