FACT CHECK: No reports confirm Legarda, Leviste applied for asylum in France

The Office of the Ombudsman's spokesperson has continued to cast doubt on the official explanation provided by Senator Loren Legarda regarding her ongoing medical leave, which has been extended for nearly a month. Despite earlier statements from Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian affirming that Legarda had received proper medical clearance, the Ombudsman’s office has raised questions about the legitimacy of her absence. These concerns come amid broader scrutiny surrounding Legarda and her son, Leandro Leviste, who face allegations tied to a controversial “ghost solar” scheme involving millions of pesos in unpaid financial obligations. According to recent developments, the Ombudsman’s office has suggested that Legarda and Leviste might be considering applying for asylum abroad, though it has not confirmed that such applications have been made. This speculation emerged following a viral TikTok video that claimed the pair had already sought asylum in France to escape the ongoing investigation. The video, shared on August 20, featured an image of Legarda and Leviste standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, accompanied by a message accusing them of evading accountability and using political pressure to justify their prolonged absence from the country. Fact-checkers have since debunked the claim, noting that there is no credible evidence supporting the assertion that Legarda or Leviste have formally requested asylum. The video itself lacks any verifiable documentation or official confirmation of such actions. Additionally, AI detection tools have identified the image of the senator and her son in France as likely generated by artificial intelligence. Tools such as TruthScan and Sightengine assigned high probabilities, 89% and 99%, respectively, that the image was created synthetically rather than captured in real life. Legarda herself addressed the situation on August 18, releasing a statement that emphasized her compliance with Senate procedures by filing for medical leave. She asserted that both she and her family were not subject to baseless accusations and that the extension of her leave was necessary due to health reasons. Her comments followed remarks by Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, who expressed suspicion over the repeated extensions of Legarda’s medical leave and Leviste’s travel authorization. Clavano noted that while it was possible the lawmakers had considered seeking asylum, this remained speculative and unconfirmed. Senate President Gatchalian had previously vouched for Legarda’s medical condition, stating that she had undergone appropriate evaluations. Meanwhile, Senator Panfilio Lacson has also refuted the asylum claims, citing Legarda’s documented lung issues as the primary justification for her travel. He argued that these health concerns necessitated her absence from the country and that there was no indication of evasion or wrongdoing. The controversy surrounding Legarda and Leviste intensified after they departed the Philippines on August 2, shortly after the Ombudsman announced pending plunder and graft charges against them. The charges relate to approximately P10 billion in unpaid financial obligations linked to solar energy projects. The timing of their departure has fueled speculation, with critics suggesting that the pair may be attempting to circumvent legal proceedings by leaving the country. Legarda has extended her medical leave until September 2, following several previous filings that included periods from August 3–5, August 11–12, and August 17–19. As the situation continues to unfold, the Ombudsman’s office will likely remain under public scrutiny, particularly as the legal and ethical implications of the lawmakers’ actions continue to draw attention.