Senator Loren Legarda prolongs medical leave through early October

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. announced that Senator Loren Legarda has again extended her medical leave, now lasting until October 9. The leave periods include September 21-23, September 28-October 2, and October 5-9, adding to earlier leaves that started on August 3. Legarda left the country with Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste on August 2, shortly before the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and graft complaints against them over solar-energy projects.

She has repeatedly asked the public not to draw unfounded conclusions about her travel or associate it with the allegations. Because of her prolonged absence, Legarda and three other senators—Jinggoy Estrada, Rodante Marcoleta, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—are not being paid as they miss plenary sessions and the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.