Legarda has ‘legitimate’ illness, undergoing treatment in France—spokesperson

MANILA – Sen. Loren Legarda is undergoing treatment in France for an undisclosed illness, her spokesperson said Friday, as questions over her continued absence from the Senate persist alongside a criminal case against her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste.

Lawyer Tony La Viña confirmed on ANC’s Headstart that Legarda’s illness was “legitimate” but declined to disclose further medical details, citing the senator’s right to privacy.

“Definitely it’s a legitimate illness. It’s not an excuse for staying abroad,” La Viña said.

He said he did not know when Legarda’s treatment would be completed because he did not ask her about the specifics of her condition or medical procedures.

“I don’t ask that question. I ask questions in general. ‘Kumusta kayo?’ But I don’t ask questions. ‘Kumusta treatment mo? Anong treatment mo? Anong level? Anong nangyari?’ I don’t ask that.”

La Viña said questions about Legarda’s absence should be directed to the Senate leadership.

La Viña said Leviste intended to return to the Philippines with his mother once her medical situation allowed it.

“Once the medical situation of the mother clears up, yes. Babalik siya with the mother,” he said.

Leviste is facing a criminal case involving his solar energy company, Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. The court has set bail at P72,000.

La Viña said Leviste would have to personally appear to post bail, adding that there was no specific deadline for doing so, although the congressman would have to appear for his arraignment.

He declined to discuss the defense team’s legal strategy, citing his professional obligations.

La Viña denied allegations that Legarda used her position to influence the approval of her son’s legislative franchise for Solar Para sa Bayan, arguing that the measure received broad support in Congress.

“Alam mo ba unanimous ang Senate. How can you influence every single senator, kahit na opposition,” he said.

He also claimed that the House overwhelmingly approved the franchise and that the company’s capital came from Leviste’s father, not the senator.

The company’s compliance with its franchise obligations is at the center of the criminal case. Authorities have questioned its failure to fulfill requirements related to providing electricity to remote and underserved areas.

La Viña attributed the company’s difficulties to the COVID-19 pandemic and what he described as the Department of Energy’s failure to issue implementing rules and identify areas for its projects.

The franchise was approved in November 2019, shortly before pandemic restrictions began in March 2020. La Viña said the company had difficulty implementing its projects under those circumstances.

La Viña alleged that the cases against Leviste were connected to the congressman’s campaign against corruption, describing the complaints as politically motivated.

“In general, that is their experience. Kasi all of these things charged against them are what I call complaints looking for a crime. Parang fishing for a crime,” he said.

He maintained that the allegations against Leviste were unfounded. These claims have not been established in court.

Asked whether Leviste intended to file countercharges against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, a political figure with ties to Batangas, La Viña said he was not aware of any such plan.

La Viña also declined to confirm whether Legarda would return to the Senate majority bloc under Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, saying the senator remained in contact with colleagues from both the majority and minority.

“I don’t rule it out but at the same time, I actually don’t know whether she will do it or not,” he said.

He said Legarda did not believe the developments in the Senate were connected to the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.