Marcoleta is Back as Party-List Congressman, Comelec Says

Rodante Marcoleta, who quit the senatorial race before the May 9 elections, reclaimed his old seat in the House of Representatives via substitution, Comelec said Friday.

Marcoleta substituted for the second nominee of SAGIP party-list, which he represented in the last Congress.

Marcoleta and fellow SAGIP representative Caroline Tanchay took their oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez, based on photos he shared on Facebook on Thursday.

Marcoleta was a senatorial candidate under President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s UniTEAM ticket. He withdrew from the race due to poor showing in pre-election surveys.

He was earlier reported to be considered as Marcos Jr's energy secretary.

He is known for his opposition to ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, and voted to deny the network a fresh 25-year license to operate in 2020, during the onset of the pandemic.

MORE ON MARCOLETA:

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

Duterte Interviews Marcoleta, Belgica on Senate Plans if Elected