Legarda, Leviste eyed as next big fish

MANILA, Philippines —  Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla vowed to go after “big fish” Sen. Loren Legarda and her son Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste, whom he accused of “running to hide” in France.

“Loren Legarda hasn’t returned yet. Maybe she doesn’t want to come home. She and her son Leandro Leviste, mother and son legislators, are now rushing to hide in another place,” he said at a media briefing yesterday.

Remulla said he would fly to France in the coming days “to talk to French authorities,” particularly its justice ministry. 

“We’ll tell them it’s not good to have a reputation of being the hiding place of ill-gotten wealth, the wealth stolen from the people who could have used the money to improve the lives of those in need,” he said. 

Remulla believes Legarda, who has extended her medical leave to Sept. 16, and Leviste might consider not returning to the country to evade liability.  

Previously, the ombudsman launched preliminary investigation into plunder and graft complaints against Legarda, Leviste and former energy secretary Alfonso Cusi over the failure to provide solar power despite more than P10 billion worth of contracts being awarded to Leviste’s solar power company. It accused Legarda of using her position to secure the congressional franchise for her son’s company. 

In addition, the National Bureau of Investigation said it may file qualified human trafficking charges against Leviste and others for his alleged involvement in the honeytrap plot directed at Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. 

The NBI earlier divulged both Legarda and Leviste left the country through separate flights to Hong Kong and were both bound for France. 

Fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co, who was previously spotted in the Czech Republic, could have also been staying in France, the ombudsman said.

Extended leave

Legarda has extended her medical leave until next week, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said.

Bantug said Legarda has filed for medical leave for Sept. 7-9 and Sept. 14-16.

Legarda’s Senate colleagues have commiserated with her on her medical condition, supposedly a serious lung condition.

The senator has denied all allegations against her and defended her right to seek treatment abroad after Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano found her extended medical leaves “suspicious.”

Money trail

Meanwhile, the NBI is tracing a possible money trail in the alleged honeytrap operation involving Leviste, including a reported request for P5 million, Matibag said yesterday.

“We have already written to the AMLC (Anti- Money Laundering Council) to find out whether there were transfers of that kind of money. We are tracing them,” Matibag said over True FM.

The NBI director said investigators already have accounts from people involved in the alleged operation indicating that money changed hands. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab