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Legarda still on medical leave until Aug 19, says Senate secretariat
PH🏛️ PoliticsCenter6 days ago

Legarda still on medical leave until Aug 19, says Senate secretariat

Senator Loren Legarda remains on medical leave until August 19, according to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug. Legarda has been absent from Senate sessions and the impeachment trial since August 3 after being reported to have left the country for France on August 2. She initially requested medical leave from August 3 to 5 and again from August 11 to 12. Legarda and her son, Representative Leandro Leviste, along with former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, are under preliminary investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged graft and plunder related to ghost solar projects valued at over P10 billion. Legarda has denied the allegations as 'utterly false and baseless' and urged the public not to draw conclusions linking her travel to the accusations.

The Senate session and Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial were suspended on Tuesday due to inclement weather, according to Senate Secretariat and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr., who announced the decision on Monday. Heavy rains and flooding, attributed to the Southwest Monsoon, prompted the suspension. The Senate had planned to hold its regular session and proceed with the impeachment proceedings, but the adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation. The suspension came amid ongoing challenges related to the impeachment process. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian expressed concern over the impact of the weather disruptions on legislative work, emphasizing that time is of the essence. However, he reiterated that employee safety remains the top priority. Gatchalian noted that the Senate would monitor the situation closely and adjust schedules as necessary. He mentioned that the Senate might consider using Saturday sessions for committee and budget hearings if the suspensions continue. Gatchalian explained that the Senate would rely on weather forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and follow directives from Malacañang regarding government operations during the monsoon season. Government offices in the National Capital Region and surrounding provinces were instructed to switch to alternative work arrangements starting at 12 noon on Monday. In response, the Senate shortened its impeachment trial to end at 2:30 p.m. and limited its sessions to conclude at 4 p.m. on the same day. Despite these adjustments, the impeachment trial remained suspended. Gatchalian acknowledged that the Senate had not yet discussed proposals such as moving trials to the afternoon and holding Senate sessions in the morning, which was suggested by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri. These potential changes aim to ensure continuity in the trial despite the weather-related interruptions. Separately, Senator Loren Legarda remains on medical leave until August 19, according to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug. Legarda has been absent from the impeachment trial and Senate sessions since August 3, following reports that she left the country and traveled to France on August 2. She initially requested a medical leave from August 3 to 5 and later extended it from August 11 to 12. Legarda and her son, Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste, along with former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, are under preliminary investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged graft and plunder linked to suspected ghost solar projects valued at over P10 billion. Legarda has publicly denied the allegations, calling them “utterly false and baseless.” She urged the public not to link her recent travels to the accusations against her. Her office has not issued a new statement regarding the extension of her medical leave beyond August 19. The ongoing legal and political developments underscore the complex interplay between personal circumstances, public scrutiny, and institutional procedures within the Senate.

3 reports

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 856 days ago
Legarda still on medical leave until Aug 19, says Senate secretariat

Senator Loren Legarda remains on medical leave until August 19, according to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug. Legarda has been absent from Senate sessions and the impeachment trial since August 3 after being reported to have left the country for France on August 2. She initially requested medical leave from August 3 to 5 and again from August 11 to 12. Legarda and her son, Representative Leandro Leviste, along with former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, are under preliminary investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged graft and plunder related to ghost solar projects valued at over P10 billion. Legarda has denied the allegations as 'utterly false and baseless' and urged the public not to draw conclusions linking her travel to the accusations.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding Legarda's medical leave and the ongoing investigation against her and others. It does not take a clear ideological stance, provides balanced reporting by including both the allegations and Legarda's denials, and avoids loaded language or one-sided叙事

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports Senator Legarda's continued medical leave through August 19, citing the official communication from Senate Secretary Renato Bantug. It details her absence from sessions and the pending investigation, providing clear and verifiable information.

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, reporting facts without apparent bias. It presents both Legarda's previous denials and the ongoing investigation without taking sides, though it does include some background context about the allegations.

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 806 days ago
Senate may have Saturday hearings if suspensions continue – Gatchalian

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stated that the Senate may hold hearings on Saturdays if suspensions due to bad weather continue. He mentioned that the Senate is monitoring the situation closely and will adjust working hours as needed based on weather forecasts. The Senate has already shortened its impeachment trial and session times due to heavy rains linked to the southwest monsoon. Gatchalian emphasized that the safety of employees is the top priority and that decisions regarding work schedules will be made based on guidance from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and Malacañang.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a neutral account of Senate President Gatchalian's comments regarding potential adjustments to Senate operations due to weather-related suspensions. There is no evident framing bias, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. The content focuses on logistical considerations rather

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports Senate President Gatchalian's statements regarding potential Saturday hearings if suspensions continue. It provides direct quotes from his remarks and contextualizes them within the ongoing suspension of sessions due to weather. The information aligns with the cross-so

Why objectivity (80): The tone is neutral, presenting Gatchalian's statements without overt bias. However, there is slight editorializing in the phrasing 'time is of the essence' which implies urgency without directly quoting the source.

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 856 days ago
Senate session, impeachment trial suspended Tuesday due to bad weather

The Senate session and Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial were suspended on Tuesday due to inclement weather, according to Senate Secretariat and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. The decision was made based on forecasts of heavy rain and flooding caused by the Southwest Monsoon. The suspension reflects standard procedural measures taken during adverse weather conditions. No further details on rescheduling were provided in the report.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual update on the suspension of a political proceeding due to external conditions (weather), without overtly favoring any political stance. It relies on official communication from the Senate Secretariat and does not include commentary or emphasis that would suggest a left

Why factuality (80): The article confirms the suspension of Senate sessions and the impeachment trial due to bad weather, based on statements from Senate Secretariat and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. This aligns with the cross-source consensus that weather disruptions are affecting legislative operations.

Why objectivity (85): The article is largely objective, presenting the suspension as a factual update without emotive language. There is minimal editorializing, focusing primarily on the announced decision and its cause.

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