Sen. Loren Legarda appealed to the public not to draw unwarranted conclusions from her recent overseas travel or associate it with what she described as “false and baseless” allegations.
In a statement, Legarda confirmed that she filed a formal medical leave with the Senate covering Aug. 3 to 5 in accordance with Senate rules.
She said the leave had been properly filed and urged the public not to connect her travel with allegations that she said had unfairly tarnished a reputation built over decades of public service.
The statement came after the Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, departed the Philippines on Aug. 2.
Earlier, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said the two left on separate flights to Hong Kong but were both bound for France.
Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. also confirmed receiving a letter from Legarda’s chief of staff informing the Senate that the senator would be on medical leave from Aug. 3 to 5.
Legarda and Leviste are currently facing a preliminary investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with a plunder complaint involving a solar project deal.
Separately, Leviste has been subpoenaed by the National Bureau of Investigation in connection with an investigation into an alleged “honey trap” plot involving Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
The subpoena was issued on Aug. 3 directing Leviste to appear before the NBI on Aug. 6. He did not personally attend the proceedings, and his lawyer appeared before the agency on his behalf.
When asked about Leviste’s departure from the country, Matibag said only, “Happy trip sa kaniya,” followed by “Bon voyage.”
Legarda did not directly address the investigations in her statement, reiterating only that the public should not link her travel to the allegations.
