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Rodante Marcoleta

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Dizon and the surname or paternal family name is Marcoleta.

Rodante Marcoleta
Official portrait, 2023
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2025
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
In office
July 29, 2019 – June 1, 2022
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for SAGIP party-list
In office
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2025
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Alagad party-list
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2013
Personal details
Born
Rodante Dizon Marcoleta

(1953-07-29) July 29, 1953 (age 71)
Paniqui, Tarlac, Philippines
Political partySAGIP (2016–present)
Independent (2024–present)
Other political
affiliations		Alagad (2004–2013)
PDP–Laban (2021–2024)
SpouseEdna Magbitang
ChildrenPaolo
Libni
Maria Cathleen
Parent(s)Pacifico Cangco Marcoleta (father)
Candida Calma Dizon (mother)
Alma materUniversity of the East (MBA)
University of the Philippines Diliman (DPA)
San Sebastian College (LL.B)
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer

Rodante Dizon Marcoleta (English: /mɑːrkəˈlɛtə/, Tagalog: [maɾkɔˈlɛta]; born July 29, 1953) is a Filipino television host, lawyer, and politician who has served as a senator of the Philippines since 2025. A member of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, he served as the representative for the SAGIP Partylist from 2016 to 2025 and as the representative for the Alagad Party-list from 2004 to 2013. He is the first elected Philippine senator affiliated with the Iglesia ni Cristo.

During his tenure in the lower house, he chaired the Committee on Poverty Alleviation (2009), and later the Special Committee on Globalization and WTO (2018). Marcoleta also chaired the CA Committee on Public Works and Highways, and as assistant majority leader of the Commission on Appointments until he was unanimously expelled from five committees. He served as a senior deputy House majority leader from 2018 to 2019, and as a deputy speaker from 2019 to 2022.

Early life and education

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Rodante Dizon Marcoleta was born on July 29, 1953, in Paniqui, Tarlac to Pacifico Cangco Marcoleta and Candida Calma Dizon.[1] His parents are farmers and he is the second among nine siblings.[2]

Marcoleta obtained a master's degree in business administration at the University of the East and a doctorate in public administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2020. He also accomplished a developmental leadership program at Harvard Kennedy School.[3]

House of Representatives of the Philippines

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Representing Alagad (2004–2013)

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Marcoleta was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines under the 13th Congress representing the partylist of Alagad from 2004 to 2007, which sought to represent the urban poor sector in Congress. Marcoleta was among the twelve new partylist congressmen who were already millionaires before being sworn in.[4] He was later reelected under Alagad twice to the 15th and 16th Congress, serving from 2007 until 2013.[5]

During his first term as congressman, Marcoleta was criticized for filing numerous bills and resolutions that were unrelated to issues concerning the urban poor, and was considered one of the leading proponents for family planning in the House of Representatives.[4] In June 2005, Marcoleta endorsed the first impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano for "betrayal of public trust" in the aftermath of the Hello Garci scandal.[6][4] As an administration congressman, Marcoleta explained that his intent was find out how truthful the electoral fraud allegations against the president were, and the decision to endorse was not influenced by the Iglesia ni Cristo.[7] Minority Leader Francis Escudero criticized Marcoleta's decision due to it initiating a one-year-ban on filing for another impeachment, voicing his belief that the complaint was merely for show in order to prevent the opposition from filing its own impeachment complaint against president Arroyo.[7][4]

Representing SAGIP (2016–2025)

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In 2016, under the 17th Congress, he was elected party-list representative of the Social Amelioration and Genuine Intervention on Poverty, more commonly known by its abbreviation SAGIP.[5] He is known as the proponent of slashing the budget of the Commission on Human Rights to ₱1,000 (equivalent to ₱1,155 in 2021).[8] Marcoleta was one of the principal authors of the landmark law Magna Carta of the Poor,[9] which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in April 2019.[10]

During the 18th Congress, he served as a house deputy speaker.[11]

One of the vocal detractors against ABS-CBN, Marcoleta is one of the 70 representatives who voted to permanently deny the renewal of the network's franchise[12][13][14] and is responsible for the termination of the landmark partnership deal between ABS-CBN and TV5.[15][16][17][18][19]

On September 18, 2024, Marcoleta was removed as vice chairperson (and effectively as a member) of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and replaced by representative Janette Garin of Iloilo's 1st district.[20][21] A week later on September 25, Marcoleta was unanimously expelled from five further committees (Constitutional Amendments, Public Accounts, Energy, Justice and the Commission on Appointments) by the House of Representatives and replaced by Manila Teachers Party-list representative Virgilio Lacson.[22][23] Although no explanation was given, his removal from the committees came after his actions opposing the House committees' investigations into Vice President Sara Duterte's fund utilization.[24][21]

During a House inquiry on disinformation in 2025, Marcoleta falsely claimed that "there was no West Philippine Sea", that it is only a designation "created by us" and does not appear in maps. He was fact-checked for this claim.[25][26] A few days thereafter, he backpedaled as his remark drew flak. He clarified that the label does not appear in international maps and that the sea is the Philippines' regardless of the name.[27]

Ivermectin pantry

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See also: Community pantries in the Philippines § Ivermectin pantry

In April 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Marcoleta and Anakalusugan party-list representative Mike Defensor initiated an "ivermectin pan-three" that distributes the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin, despite warnings from the World Health Organization on the lack of evidence to support the drug's efficacy against COVID-19.[28][29]

Senate of the Philippines

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Elections

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2022 withdrawn election bid

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Marcoleta (second to the left) during the campaign rally at Meycauayan College in 2022

In September 2021, Marcoleta was nominated by the PDP–Laban political party to run for senator in the 2022 Philippine Senate elections.[30][31][32] On April 27, 2022, twelve days prior to the elections, Marcoleta withdrew his senatorial bid, citing his 'poor showing' in the surveys.[33][34]

2025 Senate election

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On October 8, 2024, Marcoleta filed his candidacy for the 2025 Philippine Senate election as an independent candidate, and was one of the candidates of the DuterTen senatorial slate.[1][35][36] He along seven other candidates received formal endorsement from his church, the Iglesia ni Cristo in May 2025 days prior to the election.[37]

Despite consistently placing outside the top twelve in surveys in the lead up to the election, Marcoleta was elected as a senator, placing sixth with more than 15 million votes.[38]

Personal life

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Marcoleta is married to Edna Magbitang, and resides in Cainta, Rizal.[39][1] Marcoleta is a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo and his former partylist Alagad is noted for its association with the Christian denomination.[40][41] His son Paolo Henry served as president of SAGIP Partylist.[3] He is also the host of Net 25 public affairs program Sa Ganang Mamamayan (lit. For Citizens) and Sagip Barangay ng Mamamayan in Action.[42][43]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Certificate of Candidacy for Senator - Marcoleta, Rodante Dizon" (PDF). Commission on Election. October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "Marcoleta Lands 10th In Publishers Association Of The Phils, Inc. (PAPI) Survey For 2025 Preferred Senators". Journal Online. September 14, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Vote Pilipinas". Vote Pilipinas. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Tuazon, Bobby M. (2007). Oligarchic Politics: Elections and the Party-List System in the Philippines. CenPEG Books. pp. 65, 70–71. ISBN 978-971-93651-1-2. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Gavilan, Jodesz (September 13, 2017). "Who is Rodante Marcoleta, the man behind the motion for CHR's P1,000-budget?". Rappler. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  6. ^ "Legislator moves to impeach Arroyo". Al Jazeera. June 29, 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Tubeza, Philip C. (June 29, 2005). "Pro-GMA solon endorses impeachment complaint". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Vol. 20, no. 201. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. pp. A1, A6. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  8. ^ Viray, Patricia Lourdes (September 13, 2017). "Who moved to give the CHR a budget of P1,000?". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Mauricio-Arriola, Tessa (February 20, 2022). "Reintroducing Rodante Marcoleta". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Parrocha, Azer (May 27, 2019). "Duterte signs Magna Carta of the Poor". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Diaz, Jess (August 1, 2019). "18 deputy speakers named". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  12. ^ Perez-Rubio, Bella (July 10, 2020). "List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  13. ^ Cigaral, Ian Nicolas (July 10, 2020). "Marcoleta: No chance for ABS-CBN to get new franchise, not even in 2022". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  14. ^ Limos, Mario Alvaro (July 10, 2020). "Who Is Rodante Marcoleta?". esquiremag.ph.
  15. ^ "Marcoleta believes TV5 violated franchise with ABS-CBN deal". GMA News. August 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  16. ^ "Marcoleta claims TV5 violated its broadcasting franchise with ABS-CBN deal". CNN Philippines. August 16, 2022. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  17. ^ Marvin, Joseph Ang (August 16, 2022). "Rodante Marcoleta locks target at TV5 after agreement with ABS-CBN finalized". CNN Philippines. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  18. ^ "Personalities, netizens react to political pressure that caused the ABS-CBN-TV5 deal to fail". DailyPedia. September 4, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  19. ^ Nagpapasalamat at sumasaludo si Cong. Marcoleta sa desisyon na hindi ituloy ang napipinto sanang partnership agreement ng ABS-CBN at TV5. Magpasakop sa batas, ito ang isa sa dapat isaalang-alang ng merging ng dalawang malalaking TV Network. YouTube. Eagle News. September 5, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  20. ^ "FACT CHECK: Marcoleta removal from post NEEDS CONTEXT". Vera Files. October 1, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2025. Chua, the committee's newly-appointed chairperson, said that because Marcoleta was originally appointed to the committee as vice chairperson, his removal from the post meant that he is no longer its member.
  21. ^ a b Panti, Llanesca T. (September 18, 2024). "Lawmakers fume at each other over House's authority to probe OVP budget use". GMA News Online. GMA Network, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2025. [...]Rodante Marcoleta stirred the pot by arguing that the root of Wednesday's inquiry, which is the privilege speech of Manila Representative Rolando Valeriano titled 'Asserting the Power of the Purse of Congress,' does not cover the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) budget use because nobody is questioning Congress' power of the purse to begin with.
  22. ^ Gulla, Vivienne (September 26, 2024). "Marcoleta kicked out from 5 House panels". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  23. ^ Subingsubing, Krixia (September 28, 2024). "Marcoleta expelled from 5 House panels". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tradition versus transparency". Inquirer.net. Inquirer Interactive, Inc. September 20, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2025. Sagip party list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta[...] meanwhile moved to terminate the deliberations on the OVP budget in 'observance of that well-kept tradition: the two highest positions in government namely the Office of the President and [OVP] were duly accorded with respect,' Marcoleta said.
  25. ^ "FACT CHECK: Marcoleta falsely claims no such thing as WPS, cites wrong data". VERA Files. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  26. ^ "Marcoleta falsely claims no such thing as WPS, cites wrong data". Tsek.ph. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  27. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (February 13, 2025). "Marcoleta backpedals on West Philippine Sea remarks". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  28. ^ Mercado, Neil Arwin (April 27, 2021). "Defensor, Marcoleta to distribute Ivermectin 'to those in dire need of drug'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  29. ^ Argosino, Faith (December 10, 2022). "KNOW THE PARTY-LIST REP: Rodante Marcoleta, SAGIP Partylist". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  30. ^ Rey, Aika (September 8, 2021). "LIST: PDP-Laban Cusi faction's initial Senate slate for 2022". Rappler. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  31. ^ @Rappler (December 8, 2021). "WATCH: Rodante Marcoleta boasts to supporters that "isinara natin ang ABS-CBN," rails against oligarchs while campaigning for Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte" (Tweet). Retrieved December 8, 2021 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ @Rappler (March 30, 2022). "Rodante Marcoleta made it a staple in sortie speech to brag about shutting down ABS-CBN, which he says is proof he can fight oligarchs. Marcoleta is running with Mark Villar of business magnate Villars who just launched an IPO and took over ABS frequencies" (Tweet). Retrieved March 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ de Leon, Dwight (April 27, 2022). "ABS-CBN franchise killer Rodante Marcoleta withdraws from senatorial race". Rappler. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  34. ^ RG Cruz, Mico Abarro (April 27, 2022). "UniTeam senate bet Marcoleta withdraws from #Halalan2022: Comelec". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  35. ^ Serquiña, Celine (October 8, 2024). "Rep. Marcoleta formalizes Senate bid in Eleksyon 2025". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  36. ^ Ombay, Giselle (February 13, 2025). "Duterte-backed PDP Laban kicks off Eleksyon 2025 senatorial bid". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  37. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (May 9, 2025). "Iglesia ni Cristo endorses 8 Senate bets". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  38. ^ Hapal, Don Kevin (May 13, 2025). "IN DATA: Aquino, Pangilinan, and Marcoleta's surprise climb into the Magic 12". Rappler. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  39. ^ Quismoro, Ellson (July 7, 2022). "Marcoleta 'dates' his wife on Marcos inauguration day". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  40. ^ Cayabyab, Charlene A. (January 15, 2025). "Marcoleta reiterates INC appeal for peace, unity". SunStar. SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  41. ^ Limos, Mario Alvaro (July 10, 2020). "Who Is Rodante Marcoleta?". Esquire. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  42. ^ "RODANTE MARCOLETA | Eleksyon 2025 | GMA News Online". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  43. ^ "Sa Ganang Mamamayan on Net 25 2022 generic plug". Net 25 on Facebook. September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
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