Gatchalian says Legarda told him she had a 'serious' illness

Senator Loren Legarda remains on medical leave due to a serious illness, Senate President Win Gatchalian told reporters on Thursday.

Gatchalian said he is aware of Legarda’s condition, but described the matter as personal.

“It’s a very personal issue,” Gatchalian said. He said he and Legarda had been personal friends even before the current situation and that she had previously told him that she was dealing with a serious illness.

“Nasabi niya yun na meron siyang sakit na seryoso,” Gatchalian said.

(She said that she had a serious illness.)

The National Bureau of Investigation earlier said that Legarda flew out to France on August 2, on medical leave for August 3 to 5. Legarda has since extended her leave to September 2.

Legarda and her son, Batangas congressman Leandro Leviste, are being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with P10-billion plunder and graft complaints due to the alleged failure of his renewable energy firm to provide solar power as provided under its congressional franchise.

Leviste flew to Hong Kong at around the same time Legarda left on her medical leave, and had obtained a two-month travel authority until September 24, according to the Ombudsman.

Gatchalian also said Legarda is not receiving her Senate salary while she is on medical leave.

“Nung nag-file siya ng medical leave, hindi na niya tinanggap ang sweldo niya,” he said. (When she filed for medical leave, she no longer accepted her salary.)

He also said that senators who are currently detained, as well as Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is in hiding, are not receiving salaries.

No word yet on return

Meanwhile, Gatchalian said he does not know when Legarda will return to the Senate.

“Wala, wala akong alam [I don't know anything],” he said when asked about her possible return.

He added that illnesses such as Legarda’s should be taken seriously.

The senator’s continued medical leave comes as the Senate is holding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where senators are serving as impeachment judges. Gatchalian said separately that the Senate is also managing the trial alongside its legislative work and the upcoming budget deliberations.

Asked what would happen to the salary Legarda is no longer receiving, Gatchalian said the Senate could eventually declare the unspent amount as savings and use it for other purposes.

“Pupunta yan sa hindi nagagastos [That will go to the unspent funds]. The Senate can declare it as savings and use it for something else,” he said. — BM, GMA News