Sen. Legarda confirms medical leave, refutes 'baseless' rumors

Courtesy: Loren Legarda

Senator Loren Legarda clarified on Friday, August 7, 2026, that she filed a formal medical leave of absence covering August 3 to 5, following public scrutiny over her abrupt absence from Senate proceedings.

The confirmation from Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. and Senator Erwin Tulfo arrived shortly after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) disclosed that Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, departed the country on August 2 on separate flights. According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Leviste traveled to Hong Kong while Legarda flew to France.

The high-profile departures occurred just days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced a preliminary investigation into plunder and graft complaints against the mother-and-son duo. The investigation targets an alleged ₱10.44-billion "ghost solar project" scheme linked to Leviste’s energy firms.

In an official statement released via Loren Legarda's Facebook Page, the senator defended her reputation:

“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.”

Despite their absence, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the preliminary investigation will move forward, expressing confidence that both officials will return to face the anti-graft body.