Erwin Tulfo Breaks Silence on Loren Legarda’s Overseas Travel
LOREN LEGARDA – Questions surrounding Senator Loren Legarda’s recent travel were addressed after Senator Erwin Tulfo confirmed she was on an approved medical leave.
Senator Loren Legarda officially went on a leave of absence from the Senate before traveling abroad, with Senator Erwin Tulfo confirming that the veteran lawmaker had properly informed Senate leadership of her temporary absence.
According to Tulfo, Legarda filed her leave request with Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, covering the period from August 3 to August 5. He emphasized that the senator’s absence was due to medical reasons, clarifying that all necessary procedures had been observed before her departure.
Speaking to reporters during an ambush interview at the Office of the Ombudsman, Tulfo addressed questions surrounding Legarda’s leave and travel.
“Senator Loren has a leave of absence,” Tulfo said in an ambush interview at the Office of the Ombudsman. “In fairness, she has medical leave.”
His statement came amid reports regarding Legarda’s overseas trip, which drew public attention after details of her itinerary surfaced.
Based on information shared by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Melvin Matibag during an interview with True FM, Legarda left the Philippines on August 2. She first traveled to Hong Kong together with her son, Representative Leandro Leviste, before continuing to her final destination in France.
Matibag disclosed that Hong Kong served only as a transit point in the senator’s journey, with France identified as the intended destination. No additional information regarding the purpose of her stay in France or the duration of her visit was immediately provided.
Tulfo’s clarification sought to address questions surrounding Legarda’s absence from Senate activities, stressing that the senator had formally requested leave and that it was categorized as medical leave.
As discussions continue over the senator’s overseas travel, officials have maintained that her leave was properly documented before she left the country. Aside from confirming her travel route through Hong Kong to France, authorities have yet to release further details regarding her medical condition or any scheduled activities during her stay abroad.
The development has attracted public interest, with many awaiting additional information from concerned authorities regarding Legarda’s trip and the circumstances surrounding her approved leave of absence.