A viral YouTube video falsely claims that Senator Rodante Marcoleta resigned from his post after voting against the 2026 national budget. In reality, Marcoleta remains a senator, and the video discusses only his opposition to the budget. The claim appears to be misleading clickbait.
On January 4, 2026, 'Trending Pinas News' posted a YouTube video titled: 'Kakapasok lang! Marcoleta, di kinaya ang kahihiyan; biglang nagbitiw sa pwesto.' The narration states: 'Sobrang nakakagulat na balita: Senator Rodante Marcoleta biglang umatras, hindi kinaya ang desisyon ng Senado. Binulgar na ang ebidensya, tumistigo na si Senator [Sherwin] Gatchalian.' However, there are no credible reports from the Senate or Marcoleta's official social media confirming this. He remains a member of the 20th Congress.
The video's actual content focuses on his 'No' vote against the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2026 national budget in late December 2025. He cited 'concrete audit findings, fiscal patterns, and policy distortions surrounding various financial assistance programs or ayuda.' He also raised concerns over the restoration of unprogrammed appropriations and potential political favoritism.
In his statement: 'With a heavy heart, I cast my ‘no’ vote. I stand by my conviction to prevent possible abuses of the budget. Safeguards on paper are not always enough. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and ensure public funds truly serve the people.'
The P6.793 trillion budget was ratified by both chambers on December 29, 2025, and signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on January 5, 2026, as Republic Act No. 12314. He vetoed over P92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations. Besides Marcoleta, Senator Robin Padilla also voted against it, while several others approved with reservations. Senator Gatchalian stated the budget is '101%' no longer prone to corruption and includes the highest investment in education in the country's history.
