By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has brushed aside reports that Sen. Loren Legarda is seeking asylum while abroad, saying the claims are baseless and do not reflect the senator’s situation.
Speaking in an interview with DWIZ radio on Saturday, Lacson said he had heard the reports but believed they were false.
“Wala, fake news ata ‘yon, hindi yan totoo,” Lacson said when asked about the reports concerning Legarda.
He pointed out that Legarda has no known case against her and, to his knowledge, there is not even a preliminary investigation that could support the claim that she was seeking asylum.
Legarda departed the Philippines on Aug. 2 with her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste. They passed through Hong Kong before traveling onward to France.
The senator has been on medical leave since Aug. 3 and had requested an extension of her leave until Aug. 19.
Lacson also said Legarda had contacted him while she was overseas and mentioned that she was dealing with a lung problem that needed medical attention.
“She told me that she had a problem with her lungs,” Lacson said, adding that he could only sympathize with her because of her medical condition.
He likewise said he checked with colleagues in the Senate majority, who reportedly confirmed that Legarda was indeed dealing with a medical concern.
Legarda’s absence has drawn attention amid the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, where several senators and officials have also been under public scrutiny.
Despite the speculation surrounding her absence from the country, Lacson maintained that there was no factual basis for claims that Legarda had gone abroad to seek asylum.
elamigo/xf
