The Senate finance committee may reassign the agencies currently under the watch of Sen. Loren Legarda to other vice chairpersons if she remains on extended medical leave for the remainder of the budget hearings, panel chairperson Sen. JV Ejercito said Tuesday.
According to Ejercito, Legarda was informed of her assigned agencies and departments, which primarily concern culture, history, and the environment.
‘I did get a response from her, but we will see. She’s on extended medical leave. But if it really can’t be managed, then we will just make the proper adjustments,’ he said in a press briefing.
Legarda is among the eight vice chairpersons of the finance committee, which is tasked with scrutinizing the proposed 2027 national budget.
Legarda first filed a medical leave on Aug. 3, days after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that she, her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi were being investigated for plunder and graft.
The investigation concerns projects that Leviste’s solar power company committed to undertake but allegedly failed to accomplish under the franchise awarded by the government.
Since then, Legarda has filed medical leaves on Aug. 3 to 5, Aug. 11 to 12, and Aug. 17 to 19, later extending the last one until Sept. 2.
She just said ‘Thank you’
When asked whether Legarda had communicated when she would return, Ejercito said he had no additional information.
‘When I last texted her, when I sent her the agencies and departments assigned to her, she just said thank you. She didn’t mention anything else for now. All I know is that she’s on extended medical leave,’ he said.
Ejercito said the committee would make the necessary adjustments if Legarda is unable to participate in the budget hearings.
‘Perhaps we will have to divide the agencies among the different vice chairmen just in case she is unable to attend because of her medical leave,’ he added. ‘If there really is no choice, and if I am not the one to handle them, I will ask the other vice chairpersons to take on some of the agencies because it really won’t be manageable.’
Schedule of budget hearings
The possible reassignment comes as the Senate prepares for the September-October budget season, with the finance committee set to hold hearings throughout the two months, possibly simultaneously with plenary sessions, Ejercito said.
For the duration of the hearings, Senate rooms will be largely reserved for the panel’s proceedings.Other Senate committees would hold their hearings at the Philippine International Convention Center.
By November, the finance panel aims to have begun drafting its committee reports, Ejercito said.
The Inquirer sought comment from Legarda’s camp regarding the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.