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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday they were set to file plunder and graft complaints for preliminary investigation against Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and Sen. Loren Legarda in relation to his solar firms. Maria Tan & Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed Friday that Sen. Loren Legarda and her son Rep. Leandro Leviste left the Philippines separately on Aug. 2, Sunday, days after the Ombudsman announced a plunder investigation against the two.
The BI said they allowed Legarda and Leviste's exit because the two have no derogatory record.
ABS-CBN News sources said Leviste flew to Hong Kong, while his mother was on her way to Europe.
The source added that Leviste's travel authority was effective from July 26 until Sept. 24, with several destinations in Asia, America, and Europe.
The Office of the Ombudsman last week announced it would file plunder and graft complaints for preliminary investigation against Leviste, Legarda, and former energy secretary Alfonso Cusi over the congressman’s “solar empire.”
Legarda had said the allegation "is totally undeserved."
Sen. Erwin Tulfo later disclosed that Legarda filed for medical leave from August 3 to 5, 2026.
“Nagpaalam po yata naman, may leave of absence po si Senadora Loren, in fairness to her medical leave po. Kausap po namin ni SP, yung aming executive secretary, sabi naman nag-file po si Senadora Loren,” Tulfo told reporters in an interview following his meeting with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian Friday, August 7.
“Kaya nga po, nung hearing po ng kuan, wala po siya. Absent po siya,” he added.
Asked if Legarda would be back next week, Tulfo said he hoped so, but he had no verified information.
“Hopefully po, pabalik po siya. Wala naman ho binanggit kung anong klase. Basta sinabi lang ho, medical need,” the senator said.
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