Senator Loren Legarda has taken a medical leave, explaining her absence during Senate activities this week, reported RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas on Friday, August 7.

Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed this following reports that Legarda had flown overseas, accompanied by her son, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste.

Bantug said Legarda had sent a letter to the Senate Chief of Staff on August 3, advising him that she would be on medical leave from that day until August 5.

Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said he has no information on Legarda’s trip abroad, as they have not spoken about it.

He explained that when a senator takes a personal trip, he or she is not required to first obtain authorization from the Senate.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag earlier announced the officials’ departure.

Both Legarda and Leviste are currently under investigation.

On July 31, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that it has launched a preliminary investigation into solar power tycoon and congressman Leviste and Senator Legarda, pursuant to plunder and graft charges over allegedly misusing the exclusive contract on solar energy granted to Leviste.

Moreover, Leviste had been subpoenaed by the NBI in connection with his supposed role in allegedly fabricating a sex scandal against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. He failed to appear before the bureau yesterday, August 6.