Senator Loren Legarda’s medical leave extended amid ongoing graft, plunder allegations

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 12, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA — Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. has confirmed that Senator Loren Legarda’s medical leave has been extended by two additional days, covering August 11 to August 12, according to notice from the senator’s office.

Bantug said Legarda’s office informed the Senate secretariat that she remains on medical leave through those two days. The confirmation follows Legarda’s earlier disclosure that she had filed a formal medical leave request from August 3 to August 5, in accordance with Senate rules.

The extension comes weeks after reports surfaced that Legarda had traveled abroad along with her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste. 

It was not immediately clear from previous reports whether the medical leave periods were continuous or separate, and neither the senator’s office nor the Senate secretariat has provided further detail connecting the two leave filings.

Both Legarda and her son are facing plunder and graft complaints tied to allegations that a renewable energy company associated with the Leviste family failed to deliver solar power as required under a congressional franchise mandate.

The senator and the congressman have denied the allegations.