Whenever Senator Rodante Marcoleta takes the floor, there’s a certain déjà vu that hits me....like a courtroom drama starring someone I’ve seen before. It’s the same no-nonsense posture, the same iron-clad logic, and yes, the same fearless approach to poking holes in an opponent’s argument until it looks like Swiss cheese.
That “someone” is none other than the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, the “Iron Lady of Asia.” Miriam was the kind of lawmaker who didn’t just read bills....she dissected them with surgical precision and delivered her verdict with the flair of a stand-up comic who just happened to have a law degree and a photographic memory.
Marcoleta, in his own way, brings that same energy. He’s unapologetically sharp. He can stand in a chamber full of political heavyweights and toss verbal grenades wrapped in polite phrasing....then casually sip water while the blast settles. He has the knack for making his points in plain language, which is rare in a sea of officials who sometimes prefer long words over clear answers.
Like Miriam, he doesn’t seem bothered by political “popularity contests.” You either agree with him or you don’t....but you’ll have to respect the preparation he brings to every argument. Miriam used to stun audiences with quotes from philosophers and legal scholars. Marcoleta, meanwhile, likes to pull from the rule books, the fine print, and the exact lines people often overlook. Both share the skill of making you realize.....halfway through their speech.....that you’re suddenly Googling terms you thought you understood.
Of course, Miriam had her own unique sparkle......her wit could turn a Senate hearing into a comedy show without losing its seriousness. Marcoleta is less about punchlines and more about controlled firepower analogy, but the DNA of fearless debate is there.
In a political landscape often ruled by caution, seeing that unapologetic, well-armed style again feels refreshing. It reminds me that governance isn’t just about keeping the peace.....it’s about challenging, questioning, and making sure every word on the record counts.
And so, in those moments when Marcoleta sharpens his argument and delivers it with quiet confidence, I can almost hear Miriam’s voice echoing through the hall: “I eat death threats for breakfast.”
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