Understanding Marcoleta's Vendetta

The Philippine House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta gained infamy once more during his opening speech against granting a new franchise to media network ABS CBN last May 26, 2020. In 2017, he motioned to give the Commission on Human rights a measly P1,000 budget for 2018. Majority of the public slammed the idea and those who voted for it. It also came to light that Marcoleta is a member of the controversial INC, or the Iglesia Ni Cristo, currently Administered by controversial leaders headed by Eduardo V. Manalo and his council. Let this be a reminder that the internet never forgets, the news media never forgets, even when it is blacked out, and, ironically, INC leaders do not forget media outlets in any shape or form, especially those who covered the controversies involving the church for almost a decade now.  This bloc-voting power church is known in the Philippines as a King Maker, strategically placing officials in government positions that will benefit the church. Its power comes from its well-known "unity", immense wealth through the immense faith of its members, and its leaders' extensive connections. Last year, several INC Council or Sanggunian members were expelled when the government officials themselves publicly squealed that they paid millions of pesos to INC Council members but their names did not end up on the INC voting ballots. This practice has been a long time open secret, often dismissed by church leaders and members as rumors. But the political clout of the church and the extravagant lifestyle of the Council members shout otherwise.

Like their present Executive Minister, whose leadership abilities are questionable, Marcoleta once again incites public disdain and backlash after his rants on congress, and his allegations against ABS-CBN were immediately debunked by concerned citizens.

Here's the video of his speech which is considered by many as "distasteful" and "unprofessional".

Rodante Marcoleta's speech was presented with many countering facts to disprove his allegations, thereby, making this Congressman look clueless and uninformed. In a nutshell, Congressman Marcoleta rehashed old allegations against ABS CBN only to be refuted by the same government agencies that he claims to defend.

And perhaps, the most humiliating part of it was when Congressman Rodante Marcoleta's desperation for vendetta became obvious as he got called out by a real expert of the law, one of the framers of the Philippine Constitution. This is where you can imagine the congressman pulling his hair out for following the "script" that was given to him without fact-checking it for credibility. 

Source: Wrong provision, wrong interpretation: 1987 Consti framer to solon who raised 50-year limit to ABS-CBN franchise

Microsoft News: Framer of 1987 Constitution says to congressman blocking ABS-CBN franchise: "Wrong provision, wrong interpretation"

So why would a Philippine Congressman risk ruining his own reputation on the matter of ABS CBN's franchise hearing? Some people might even think it makes no sense. Well, it would make no sense to people who don't understand the bigger dynamics that are at play behind Congressman Rodante Marcoleta. Let us dig deeper into the mess that he and his leaders got themselves into...

Who is Rodante Marcoleta? Here's what many of you may already know...

But this is just scratching the surface. What is truly underneath?

In his extensive political resumé, there are three distinct words that make all the difference. "Iglesia Ni Cristo" member. 

For the naive brothers and sisters in the faith, it is difficult to fathom that an Iglesia Ni Cristo member would be in politics because it is a known doctrine in the Church that anyone who is a member or who will become a member cannot enter into politics, or if they are already politicians then they should be prepared to renounce any political ambition. This is because state and religion should not mix or intertwine in order not to stain the cleanliness of religion with the corruption of politics. Well, how things have changed huh? No matter how much they deny this, it is evident that the Iglesia Ni Cristo under the leadership of Eduardo V. Manalo no longer adheres to scriptural doctrines. The Executive Minister himself proved this when he blatantly disobeyed this doctrine and became part of the Government as a Presidential Appointee.

So now that Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo gave his blessing to Congressman Rondante Marcoleta, EVM effectively dipped his hands deeper into the dirty and dark bowels of Philippine Politics. As a loyal and obedient INC member (Obey and Never complain doctrine follower), Congressman Rodante Marcoleta became an extension of Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo into the law-making body of the government along with all the Congressional Committees and even the infamous PDAF or more commonly known as "Pork Barrel" amounting to millions of pesos that they can use upon their "discretion".

Think about it! A megalomaniac religious leader of a megachurch with religious and political clout, and its own multi-media powerhouse (TV, Radio, Print and Online Social Media), what do you think will be the result? No matter how much they try to be discreet or how much they want to sugarcoat the public perception, people will see the truth and will be able to connect the dots and see the bigger picture of who's really running the show and whose interests are being protected. It's certainly not the masses, it's certainly not our human rights nor our freedom of expression.

So who exactly has the ulterior motive in the closure of ABC CBN? Who has an ax to grind and a vendetta to carry out? Let's see in the pages of history of not so long ago...

They say "revenge is a dish best served cold". EVM waited long and hard for this moment when he can ensure that everyone who has crossed him will pay for their insolence. This time, Eduardo V. Manalo will cash in all the political favors and pull every string of every politician who was endorsed by the EVM Administration and anyone who longs to get his ultimate blessing during Philippine Elections. This is payback time for these personal-interest-loyal politicians.

Source: https://www.rappler.com/nation/64345-iglesia-ni-cristo-corona-rh-bill

Source: https://www.rappler.com/nation/148167-marcoleta-leaves-legitimate-house-minority

If one were to track the political directions of Congressman Marcoleta as a party-list congressman, it is to serve his true master, none other than Eduardo V. Manalo. So EVM has his political lap dog and attack dog, just like what he did to those that they consider as enemies of EVM. Imagine, using taxpayers' money just to make EVM smile, and then using it as an act of God in protecting and avenging  "His people".

Unfortunately, for Eduardo V. Manalo, Congressman Rodante Marcoleta, the INC Legal Department along with all their textbook-lawyers, Philippine Politician hopefuls, and all the EVM Fanatical members, the thinking-general public knows exactly what they are up to. It's now entering the public interest, people are getting braver and openly voicing out the obvious and making a stand against these manipulators, suppressors and bullies and multimedia portals are exposing it. One Law Dean already let the cat out of the bag during his interview...

In EVM's questionable reign in the church, several figures move for the sake of his rule. He remains in the shadow of those who pledge their allegiance to him without question, even if it means literally taking bullets to protect him. These are veteran church officials who are loyalists and cronies to the idea of absolute monarchy. EVM is not only their king, but he is also The Most Important Person in the world for them. Then, there are those who are young and easily manipulated, the new breed of ministers and allies that surround and protect him at all cost, without knowing the history of how the former Executive of the Church ruled before him.

This was not how it was during the leadership of Bro. Felix Y. Manalo and Bro. Eraño G. Manalo. Now that the church has entered the Political Arena, it is branded as a Kingmaker who does not place its value on nobility but on the power the church begets when someone, church member or not, is placed on the political heirarchy . It is power that they can use not on promoting true justice but hostility and eventual revenge on those that cross their path. Thankfully, people in general, are now against the idea of aristocracy. Not only are they more informed, but they are also more aware and alert and most are definitely not demented, lest, they forget about INC figureheads like Marcoleta, his motions' inefficiency, and the irrelevance of his arguments. We see what is obvious instead, which is a long-awaited vendetta!

~ Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista