THE Bureau of Immigration confirmed on Friday, August 7, that Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, departed the Philippines on August 2 — just two days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced the filing of plunder and graft complaints against them.
“The office confirms the departure of Senator Loren Legarda and Representative Leandro Leviste in separate flights last August 2. Both had no derogatory records at the time of departure,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated.
As complaints alone do not automatically bar travel, the two were legally permitted to leave, though the Ombudsman may now seek a Precautionary Hold-Departure Order given that the cases have reached preliminary investigation.
The complaints, announced by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on July 31, also name former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. They are accused of conspiring to secure exclusive government rights over the country’s solar energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions. Investigation findings revealed that service contracts were transferred to corporations affiliated with Leviste that existed only on paper and never began operations. “All indicators point to the fact that they had no intention to fulfill contracts that they had garnered. The terminated contracts resulted in more than ₱10.44 billion in unpaid financial obligations to the government,” the Ombudsman stated.
Amid the controversy, the Senate confirmed that Legarda filed for medical leave from August 3 to 5. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed receiving notice from Legarda’s office, while Senator Erwin Tulfo verified the leave request but noted that the specific medical condition was not disclosed.
The leave coincides with her absence from the ongoing Senate Impeachment Court proceedings, raising questions about the timing of her travel and her availability for legislative duties.
The sequence of events — complaints filed July 31, departure August 2, and leave filed August 3 — has drawn heightened scrutiny. Representative Leviste’s reported travel itinerary covering 19 countries over six months has also raised eyebrows, with authorities yet to clarify the full purpose of the trip.
As the Ombudsman weighs whether to seek a travel ban, the public and lawmakers alike await further details on the allegations, the status of the preliminary investigation, and when Legarda and Leviste are expected to return to the country.
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