Pundits were convinced that Deputy Speaker and SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta would be given the position of Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary once Bongbong Marcos becomes the president--until it wasn't.
Ultimately, the secretary of justice post was given to Cavite 7th district Rep. Boying Remulla.
When select media got hold of Marcos last Thursday, May 26, they had to ask from the President-elect himself what would become of his former fellow UniTeam candidate.
And the short answer is, it's all up to Marcoleta.
"Ang approach ko naman sa lahat ng narerekomenda, o napupunta sa akin, is, (My approach to everybody who gets recommended to me or approaches me is), 'First of all, where do you feel...' Marami naman nagsasabi, 'Kahit saan, basta ilagay mo ako, kahit saan (A lot of them say, 'Anywhere will do, just give me an appointment, it doesn't matter). Marurunong naman, magagaling naman (They are knowledgeable and skillful). And I always asked them back, 'Where do you feel you would be the most useful?'" Marcos said during the interview, which was aired on Facebook live.
"And so all of that, so Ka Dante Marcoleta, I asked him the same question and I'm waiting for his answer. But definitely, with his legal prowess, I think he would be of great use to us," Marcos said.
"Now I understand that in his particular situation, mayroon pa siyang opportunity mag-congressman doon sa party-list (he still has a chance to become party-list congressman). So he would have to decide there, that's his decision to make. So pag-uusapan namin ulit (We will talk about it again)," the incoming Chief Executive said.
Marcoleta was part of the UniTeam's 12-man Senate slate up until the latter stages of the campaign period. He then withdrew his candidacy for senator.
Marcoleta is known for his hardline stance against the franchise renewal of television and radio giant ABS-CBN, which according to him has violated the laws of the land.
Incoming Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez had teased before that Marcoleta could serve a "higher purpose" after the latter's last-minute withdrawal.