Loren may rejoin Senate majority – spokesman
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Sen. Loren Legarda is not ruling out the possibility of the lawmaker returning to the country and joining the majority bloc, saying shifting alliances is a regular feature of the upper chamber’s fluid politics.
“I will not rule that out. In the last four years there have been four Senate presidents. The majority has changed the last four years so I wouldn’t rule that out. It’s apparently a normal thing in the Senate,” Legarda’s spokesman Tony La Viña told One News yesterday.
He added that it would be natural for Legarda to maintain open lines with her peers, given her standing in the Senate.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she does that. I’m also not surprised if she’s talking to other senators because she’s a good senator, she’s very good with her colleagues, they actually love her, I will say that almost universally,” he added.
Asked whether Legarda’s departure from the Senate was a strategic bargaining chip for the administration to woo her back to its fold, La Viña said ongoing impeachment proceedings were distinct and instead pointed to the political fallout from corruption allegations raised against her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste.
“I wouldn’t know that, you can also say otherwise that the charges are … but she actually doesn’t think that this has something to do with the impeachment because she knows Senate politics and it’s kinda…it can move any hour, any day,” La Viña explained.
“We actually think this is really about Leandro Leviste’s exposé on corruption, that’s the one that upset a lot of people and so that’s just politics,” he added.
Since Aug. 3, Legarda has been on medical leave from the Senate and was reportedly in France receiving treatment. Her latest extension of leave is valid until Oct. 9, making her absent from the chamber for two full months.
Her absence is among the reasons senators voted to adjust the voting denominator set by impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero.
Legarda’s prolonged absence also coincides with the Office of the Ombudsman’s plunder investigation into the senator and her son over the alleged multibillion-peso solar energy anomaly.
abtestabtest Kapunan: Senate should remain ‘safe space’ after Tulfo’s ‘pa-cute’ remark By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 14 hours ago House prosecutors responded after Raffy Tulfo criticized a lawyer’s conduct during the Sara Duterte trial. Headlines SC settles quorum question on Senate shakeup By EJ Macababbad | 1 day ago The Supreme Court dismissed two petitions challenging the Senate’s decision to convene on June 3 with just a quorum... Headlines Ex-VP aide needs more time after NBI subpoena By Mark Ernest Villeza | 1 day ago he National Bureau of Investigation has summoned Jeffrey Tupas, who reportedly served as information officer of Davao City... Headlines DFA rejects China's claim over Batanes waters By Cristina Chi | 9 hours ago The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday, October 2, "firmly and strongly" rejected China's claim that it... Headlines Trillanes: Firm of VP Sara's husband got P319M from China By Cristina Chi | 11 hours ago Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Friday, October 2, that a food company partly owned by Vice President Sara Duterte's... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Impeachment court targets verdict by December 16 Suspension of China exports to drive up fuel prices House panel OKs additional P1.95 billion for school safety Senate bill eyes to lower age for SK voting, candidacy to 15-21 years old abtest Polish president to make first-ever visit to PH 8 hours ago President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will host Polish President Karol Nawrocki for a state visit from October 5 to 8, the first... Headlines UP scientist on Super El Niño: Prepare for heavy rains, too By Renalyn Ramirez | 10 hours ago Heavy rains and storms remain possible even during generally dry El Niño conditions. Headlines Ex-Sara aide skips NBI appearance, denies Gracioso cash claims By Ian Laqui | 12 hours ago Jefry Tupas says overseas trips contradict parts of Gracioso's sworn account. Headlines 7 banks, 7 finance firms subpoenaed in Sara trial By Delon Porcalla | 1 day ago Representatives of seven banks and seven insurance and financial companies have been summoned to appear at the impeachment... Headlines Recommended 6 bangko, 7 insurance firms ni VP Sara sinubpoena ng impeachment court 1 day ago Ipina-subpoena ng Senate Impeachment Court ang anim na bangko at pitong insurance at financial firms na may kaugnayan... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Tulfo sa prosekusyon: Pumapalpak na kayo! 1 day ago Pinuna ni Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo ang House prosecution panel sa pagpili ng mga testigo sa impeachment trial ni Vice... HeadlinesRAFFY TULFO 2 ari-arian ni VP Sara, Mans wala sa SALN 1 day ago Isa pang ari-arian na iniuugnay kina Vice President Sara Duterte at kanyang asawang si Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Trillanes laglag na bilang testigo ng prosekusyon October 2, 2026 - 12:00am Hindi na ihaharap ng prosecution panel si dating senador Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV bilang testigo laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte sa nagpapatuloy na impeachment trial sa Senado. HeadlinesANTONIO “SONNY” TRILLANES IV PANOORIN: Trillanes laglag sa witness list ng prosecution 1 day ago Wala na si Trillanes sa witness list. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTESARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENTTRILLANES next Recommended 6 bangko, 7 insurance firms ni VP Sara sinubpoena ng impeachment court Ipina-subpoena ng Senate Impeachment Court ang anim na bangko at pitong insurance at financial firms na may kaugnayan kay Vice President Sara Duterte bilang bahagi ng pagbusisi sa umano’y hindi maipaliwanag na yaman nito. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Tulfo sa prosekusyon: Pumapalpak na kayo! Pinuna ni Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo ang House prosecution panel sa pagpili ng mga testigo sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte. 1 day ago RAFFY TULFO 2 ari-arian ni VP Sara, Mans wala sa SALN Isa pang ari-arian na iniuugnay kina Vice President Sara Duterte at kanyang asawang si Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio ang iniharap sa Senate Impeachment Court matapos ilabas ang mga opisyal na rekord mula sa Registry of Deeds ng Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Trillanes laglag na bilang testigo ng prosekusyon Hindi na ihaharap ng prosecution panel si dating senador Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV bilang testigo laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte sa nagpapatuloy na impeachment trial sa Senado. 1 day ago ANTONIO “SONNY” TRILLANES IV PANOORIN: Trillanes laglag sa witness list ng prosecution Wala na si Trillanes sa witness list. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT TRILLANES OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
