Loren Legarda extends medical leave to Sept. 2, 2026, says Senate Secretary

Sen. Loren Legarda has extended her medical leave to the first week of September, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said Monday.

According to Bantug, Legarda’s office sent notice on Monday that the senator shall be on medical leave on August 24-26, and September 1-2, 2026.

Legarda has been on medical leave beginning August 3. The last time she was seen at the Senate was on July 29, during the plenary session.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier flagged the two-month travel authority secured by Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste and the extended medical leave of his mother, Senator Legarda, as "suspicious" amid the agency's ongoing investigation into alleged undelivered solar power resources.

The mother and son are facing complaints for plunder and graft in connection with the alleged failure by Leviste’s renewable energy firm to provide solar power, as mandated in its congressional franchise.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla explained that Legarda is included in the case because Leviste was able to secure the franchise while she was the Senate Finance chair in 2019.

Legarda has denied the allegations of the Ombudsman, saying she has always upheld her integrity.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on August 7, that Legarda had flown to France while her son flew to Hong Kong. –NB, GMA News