'Isinara Ko Po Ang ABS-CBN,' Marcoleta Tells Voters

Senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta told voters in a campaign rally that he shut ABS-CBN without fear, adding it was for the public good.

Marcoleta, who is out of the possible winners' circle based on Pulse Asia's Feb. 18 to 23 survey, said he was not afraid, especially since he was running with presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte.

"Pinakamalaking network sa ating bansa, makapangyarihan kayang ibagsak pati political career ng isang kandidato. Pero hindi tayo natakot dahil ang gusto natin walang lalabag sa batas," Marcoleta said in footage from the campaign that was posted on YouTube by TV 5.

"Hindi po tayo natakot. Isinara ko po ang ABS-CBN dahil sa inyo," he said. "Ngayon pa ba ako matatakot? Kasama ko si Bongbong Marcos, ngayon pa ba ako matatakot? Kasama ko si Inday Duterte," he said.

ABS-CBN was taken off the air in May 2020 after its franchise expired and it ceased broadcast permanently in July that same year after 70 members of a House of Representatives committee, including Marcoleta, voted to deny the franchise application.

Opponents of the franchise renewal raised ABS-CBN's alleged non-failure of taxes, "biased" news coverage, and foreign ownership that violated the constitution. ABS-CBN executives and resource personnel refuted all allegations in marathon hearings. 

Marcoleta had run political ads on ABS-CBN online in November despite voting to shut the network.

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