Senator Loren Legarda (Courtesy: Office of Senator Loren Legarda)

Senator Loren Legarda has not ruled out the possibility of engaging in discussions with colleagues regarding her return to the country soon and also rejoining the Senate majority, according to her spokesperson lawyer Tony La Viña.

In an interview with One News’ The Big Story on Thursday, La Viña commented on the frequent changes in Senate leadership. He said it would not be surprising if Legarda shifts back to the majority, considering that the last four years have seen four different Senate Presidents.

“I will not rule that out. In the last four years there have been four Senate Presidents. They do that all the time; I wouldn’t be surprised if she does that (shift alliances),” said La Viña.

The 13-man Senate majority bloc includes Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Francis Pangilinan, the Tulfo brothers Erwin and Raffy, Lito Lapid, Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Joel Villanueva, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Francis Escudero, and Vicente Sotto III.

The minority bloc consists of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Christopher Lawrence Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, siblings Camille and Mark Villar, and Legarda.

Legarda has extended her medical leave, marking her sixth consecutive request for official absence due to a serious illness, according to Senate Secretary Rey Bantug.

Bantug said the senator’s medical leave encompasses three distinct periods: September 21 through 23, September 28 through October 2, and October 5 through 9.

The upper chamber’s leaders, including Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, have said Legarda is receiving treatment for lung-related health issues, though they have not provided specific details about her condition or recovery timeline.

Dela Rosa, who is currently the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, is in hiding, while Estrada and Marcoleta are presently in police custody, facing cases at the Sandiganbayan.

Legarda’s health concerns have been exacerbated by stress, according to La Viña, who mentioned her condition worsens under tension, necessitating her stay abroad for medical care until at least October 9.

La Viña earlier expressed optimism about Legarda’s return to the Senate by November, emphasizing her eagerness to resume her responsibilities.

He pointed out that the senator has no legal restrictions preventing her return to the country and criticized the ongoing investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged plunder and graft linked to solar energy projects worth over P10 billion.

The Ombudsman is investigating allegations against Legarda and Leviste related to a solar power franchise associated with Leviste’s company, claims which they have both denied as “unfounded and without merit.”

La Viña characterized the investigation as “lawfare” and “political persecution,” indicating a misuse of legal mechanisms typically used against government critics.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has described Legarda and her son, Rep. Leandro Leviste, as “big fish” amid an investigation into solar energy projects reportedly worth P10 billion.

Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag urged Leviste to return to the Philippines and face a qualified human trafficking complaint filed against him by the agency before the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice.

Remulla said the two lawmakers appeared to be staying abroad to avoid accountability for their alleged involvement in the projects.

“Loren Legarda has not returned. Perhaps she no longer wants to return. She and Leandro Leviste are also big fish,” Remulla said at a press conference.

“What I am saying is that they may no longer return because they appear to be avoiding accountability for what they have done,” he added. — Joel E. Zurbano with Gwyneth Nolasco and Rex Espiritu