The case was in connection with the posh residential condominium unit that Legarda bought in New York in 2006 for $700,000.
“Eto po ay napaka-expensive, mahal na property, na hindi kaya ng ordinaryong tao dito sa ating bansa. Ito ay binili ni Sen. Loren Legarda noong 2006 sa halagang $700,000,” Biraogo said in a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras.”
Legarda, who is running under the administration coalition, was accused of violating the anti-graft law and code of conduct and ethical standards of public officials, the report said.
At a press briefing last week, Legarda said the property, which she said is family-owned, has been in her SALN since 2007 but declared as “Equity in Real Property.” The price of the unit as reflected in her SALN was $7.1 million, supposedly her share in purchasing the property.
But in filing the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman, Biraogo presented to the media the title for the condominum unit showing that Legarda is the sole owner of the property.
“Eto yung titulo, at sa titulo po ang buyer ay si Sen. Loren Legarda. Walang nakalagay na kapatid nya o asawa nya,” he said.
Legarda was among the senators who voted in favor of ousting Chief Justice Renato Corona last year for misdeclaring his SALN.
Legarda, who continues to top surveys on senatoriables, has described Biraogo’s accusation as “black propaganda.” She has yet to comment on Biraogo’s complaint. — KBK, GMA News
