FACT CHECK: No reports confirm Legarda, Leviste applied for asylum in France

The Office of the Ombudsman mentioned the possibility of the two lawmakers seeking asylum overseas, but did not confirm that they had already applied for asylum, contrary to the claim Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Leandro Leviste, are falsely claimed to have already sought asylum in France to evade an investigation into a 'ghost solar' scheme. Legarda has publicly stated that she is on medical leave. The image of Legarda and Leviste in France has been flagged as likely AI-generated, and the travel controversy stems from pending plunder and graft complaints against them related to solar energy projects. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. Claim: Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, have applied for asylum in France to avoid the Ombudsman’s investigation into the alleged “ghost solar” scheme. Rating: FALSE Why we fact-checked this: A TikTok video posted on August 20 by “Juan Republic Media Network” carries the claim in a breaking news style graphic. Its headline reads, “Legarda, Leviste humingi na ng asylum sa France kasunod ng ‘ghost solar’ probe ng Ombudsman.” (Legarda, Leviste have already sought asylum in France following the Ombudsman’s ‘ghost solar’ probe.) It was accompanied by an image of Leviste and Legarda posing together in front of the Eiffel Tower. Its caption goes further, framing the pair as “fully hiding from accountability,” accusing Legarda of using “political persecution” as an excuse while extending her medical leave abroad, and calling their August 2 departure from the Philippines “a clear mockery of justice.” As of writing, the video has drawn over 7,000 views, 38 likes, and 11 shares. The facts: There are no reports confirming that the two have applied for asylum, and the video provides no evidence for its claim. On August 18, Legarda released a statement saying that she had properly filed her leave with the Senate and asserting that neither she nor anyone else “deserves to be subjected to unfounded accusations over the exercise of one’s legal rights.” The senator’s statement came following remarks by Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano on August 18. He described Legarda’s repeated medical-leave extensions and Leviste’s two-month travel authority as “suspicious.” He also said it was “possible” that the two sought asylum, but he was describing a potential course of action — not confirming that either lawmaker had actually already applied for asylum, contrary to the claim. Senator Panfilo Lacson has also dismissed asylum rumors, saying that he was aware of Legarda’s lung problems that required prompt medical attention, deeming it as the primary reason for her travel. Meanwhile, AI detection tools flagged the image of the mother and son in France as likely AI-generated. TruthScan gave it an 89% probability of being synthetic, while Sightengine assessed it as 99% likely to be AI-generated. Travel controversy: Legarda and Leviste left the Philippines on August 2, just days after the Ombudsman announced pending plunder and graft complaints against them over P10 billion in unpaid financial obligations related to solar energy projects. (WATCH: Why Loren, Leandro are facing plunder, graft complaints over solar projects) Legarda has extended her medical leave until September 2. She previously filed medical leaves from August 3 to 5, August 11 to 12, and August 17 to 19. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time. How does this make you feel? Loading