Senator Loren Legarda and Representative Leandro Leviste Depart Philippines Amid Pending Complaints

The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, left the Philippines on Sunday, August 2. Their departure comes amid ongoing investigations and complaints filed against them by the Office of the Ombudsman.

According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, both Legarda and Leviste left the country on separate flights and had no derogatory records at the time of their departure. The bureau clarified that the pending complaints against them were not sufficient grounds to bar their exit from the country.

The Ombudsman has filed plunder and graft complaints against Legarda and Leviste related to alleged anomalies in solar energy projects. The investigation alleges that the two failed to fulfill contracts for renewable energy projects, resulting in significant unpaid financial obligations to the government. The terminated contracts reportedly amounted to more than ₱10.44 billion in unpaid obligations.

The complaints also include allegations that Leviste’s firm, Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation, secured a 25-year legislative franchise to produce and sell solar energy but failed to deliver the promised power supply under the Philippine Energy Plan. The Ombudsman further accused Legarda of using her legislative position to help her son obtain the exclusive franchise.

The investigation revealed that some service contracts were transferred to affiliated corporations that allegedly existed only on paper and had not commenced operations. The Ombudsman described the contracts as a 'virtual monopoly' that contributed to higher electricity costs borne by Filipino consumers.

In a separate development, the Office of the Ombudsman has filed an appeal with the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division to reconsider its decision granting bail to former senator Bong Revilla. This move reflects the Ombudsman’s continued efforts to pursue accountability in high-profile cases.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the country’s economy grew by only 2.3% in the second quarter of 2026, marking the slowest growth rate since 2009. This economic slowdown adds to the challenges facing the government amid ongoing political and legal controversies.

On the international front, Saudi Arabia has warned of imminent coordinated attacks from Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthis, allegedly supervised by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This development signals heightened regional tensions in the Middle East.

In sports news, Filipino tennis player Alex Eala’s anticipated reunion with tennis legend Venus Williams ended abruptly after they lost their opening match at the Canadian Open in Toronto.

The departures of Legarda and Leviste occur as investigations into their alleged involvement in the solar energy project anomalies continue. The Ombudsman’s complaints and the Bureau of Immigration’s confirmation of their exit highlight the complex legal and political issues surrounding the case. Further developments are expected as the Ombudsman pursues its investigations and legal actions.