SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta took to his Facebook on late Sunday night, Jan. 12 to deny rumors that he has backed of this year's Senate race.

Not only that, Marcoleta appeared to have an idea of who were behind such rumors.

"Mayroon pong nagkakalat ng balita na diumano'y umatras po ako sa aking kandidatura sa pagka-senador. Isang malaking kasinungalingan po yan sapagkat kagaya po ng nasabi ko, ngayon po ay wala nang atrasan," the veteran congressman said in a 45-second clip.

(There are people spreading news that I've supposedly withdrawn my candidacy for senator. That is a big lie because like what I said, I will not be backing out this time.)

"Ang kanila pong ginagamit ay yung balita noong nakaraang eleksyon, kung saan ako ay umatras. Pero ngayon, sinabi ko na po at sasabihin ko pa ulit sa inyo ngayon: wala na pong atrasan ngayon," explained the former House deputy speaker.

(They been using old news from the previous election, when I did withdraw. But now, I've said this and I'll say it again: there's no backing out now.)

"Yan pong nagpapakalat ng balita na yan, palagay ko, ay yung mga kasamahan ng aking mga kasama na nang-agaw sakin ng hopia," Marcoleta said, without providing any context.

(I believe the people who are spreading that news are the companions of my companions who stole my hopia.)

"Mga salbahe talaga yan! Wag po kayong maniniwala sa kanila (They are really mean! Don't believe in those people)," he said.

In recent months, Marcoleta has sided or defended Vice President Sara Duterte whenever she found herself in a tight spot during hearings at the House of Representatives.

Marcoleta was part of the "UniTeam" Senate slate that featured Duterte in 2022. 

This year’s mid-term polls will take place on May 12.