Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has described Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, as “big fish” amid a preliminary investigation into complaints involving P10 billion worth of solar energy projects.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, September 7, Remulla said he believed Legarda and Leviste had yet to return to the Philippines because they were allegedly avoiding accountability for their actions.

“Si Loren Legarda, hindi pa bumabalik o baka naman ayaw na niyang bumalik. Isa pang big fish, sila ni Leandro Leviste. Mag-inang legislator na ngayon, nagkukumahog at nagtatago — ‘yan ang pakiramdam ko,” Remulla said.

“Ang sinasabi ko dito malamang hindi na bumalik ’yun kasi parang umiiwas sila na pagbayaran ang kanilang mga ginawa,” he said.

The Office of the Ombudsman has placed the complaint against Legarda and Leviste under preliminary investigation in connection with the alleged P10.44 billion solar energy projects.

Meanwhile, Remulla also said he plans to visit France to coordinate with authorities and ensure that the country would not become a refuge for individuals seeking to evade accountability over alleged corruption and stolen assets.

“Hindi dapat maging taguan ng mga mandarambong at ng nakaw na yaman ang France,” Remulla said.

Remulla also alleged that Legarda is currently in France, where former Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is facing charges over the alleged flood control corruption scandal, has reportedly applied for asylum.

The Ombudsman said France could become a trend as a potential hiding place for individuals facing criminal complaints in the Philippines.

“Nagiging trend na baka doon na ang taguan nila. Paliliitin natin ang mundo,” he said.