Self-confessed ABS-CBN franchise killer Rep. Rodante Marcoleta has finally talked about the ABS-CBN- Prime Media Holdings joint venture agreement.
In an interview with Net25’s ‘Sa Ganang Mamamayan’ on June 24, Marcoleta addressed criticisms about his silence on the recent joint venture agreement between ABS-CBN and Prime Media Holdings.
However, instead of giving a definitive answer about his silence, Marcoleta just defended House Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying he has nothing to do with the joint venture deal.
“Kung inaakala nyo na may ka-joint venture na pala ang aming Speaker of the House of Representatives at saka yung ABS-CBN eh di ba mas mabuting hayaan na muna nating magsalita ang aming speaker sapagkat hindi natin sya pwedeng pangunahan.”
“Ngayon kaya pala ayaw nyang magsalita, eh wala naman pala syang kinalamanan dun sa tinatawag na Prime Media Holdings. At wala rin syang kinalamanan dun sa Philippine Collective Media Company o PCMC.
“Ang nagsalita ay yung pangulo ng Prime Media Holdings na si Atty. Manolito Manalo na ang sinabi nya, wala po kameng kinalamanan kung ang pag-uusapan ay broadcasting. Ang joint venture po between ABS-CBN and Prime Media Holdings ay tungkol lamang sa content creation at saka yung distribution.
“Samakatuwid, tinignan ko yung pagkakaiba kasi inaaatake tayo…naalala mo, na bakit daw nung TV5, bigla kang tumayo kagad, ito di ka man lang nagsalita, ni nagpahaging, di ka nagpahaging, para bang akala mo’y meron tayong pinagtatakpan din. Gumalaw tayo, tinignan natin at walang kinalaman ang speaker of the house of representatives, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Wala syang maisasangkot na papeles na meron syang pagmamay-ari sa Prime Media Holdings or yung Philippine Collective Media Company.”
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1236708093678502
Marcoleta faced significant criticism on social media for his lack of response to the ABS-CBN-Prime Media Holdings partnership, which starkly contradicts his strong opposition to the ABS-CBN-TV5 joint venture deal.
Meanwhile, in contrast to Marcoleta’s statement, various media sources have already established a connection between Prime Media Holdings and Speaker Romualdez. According to reports, Prime Media Holdings is a subsidiary of RYM Business Management Corp., a holding firm owned by the Speaker’s family.
An article published by Rappler on May 26, 2023 revealed that as the parent company of Prime Holdings, RYM provided the necessary funds for the company’s transition from banking to a holding company.
