Willie Ong says he’s not accepting campaign funds from anyone: That’s my policy

Dr. Willie Ong said Monday he is not accepting any campaign funds for his vice presidential bid for the May 2022 national elections.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB’s Ikaw Na Ba: The Vice Presidential Interviews segment, Ong explained that it is his policy not to accept campaign contributions from anyone as he merely utilizes his Facebook account to present his platforms to the public.

Ong, running mate of presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, said he does not even have advertisements in radio and television.

"Sa ngayon po, wala akong tinatanggap na campaign contributions kahit kanino, Facebook lang po tapos siyempre pag may sortie si Mayor Isko, kasama tayo sa sortie niya, sa mga tarpaulin niya, may iba doon kasama ko. Doon lang tayo nakakalibre," Ong said.

(I am not accepting campaign contributions from anyone. I'm just using Facebook and whenever Mayor Isko has sorties, I join him and I'm also included in some of his tarpaulins. I get that for free.)

"Pero mula sa kahit anong negosyante, kahit anong drug company, ginawa ko na lang munang policy na hindi tumanggap kasi tingin ko medyo mahirap sa akin eh. Ano ko po 'yun eh prinsipyo ko... Hindi ko sinasabing bawal tumanggap kasi alam naman natin halos lahat ng pulitiko tumatanggap eh," he added.

(I'm not accepting funds from any businessmen or any drug company. That's my policy. That's my principle. I'm not saying that it's wrong because we have to admit that almost all politicians are accepting campaign contributions from other people.)

Ong admitted that at first, he did not have any plans to run for vice president because of insufficient budget. But because of the ongoing threat of COVID-19 pandemic and the death of his mother, he said Moreno was able to convince him to seek the second highest government post.

Ong stressed that his candidacy is God's will.

"Hindi po kasi ako nagre-request, wala akong hinihingi sa followers ko. Basta tulong lang tayo ng tulong, bahala na ang Diyos kasi nakita ko, mahirap sabihin eh. Sa akin, parang God's will talaga eh. Nagkapandemic tapos may offer si Mayor Isko na napakaganda at sumabay pa dito talaga 'yung pagkamatay ng nanay ko eh," Ong said.

(I'm not requesting anything from my followers. I just help other people. It's up to God's will. I think it's really his will because the pandemic happened, Mayor Isko had a good offer and my mother died.)

Ong disclosed that if he does not win in the coming elections, he would most likely run again until he finally wins and hold a government position to help the public.

"I'll be very honest with you, I think yes. Baka uulit tayo nang uulit hanggang manalo tayo kasi 'yan lang naman ang kailangan. Tinatry ko kasi 'yung daan na malinis eh na kung puwede manalo na walang utang kahit kanino para makagawa tayo ng maganda," Ong said.

(I may run again until I win because that's what is needed. I'm trying to follow the right path here.)

Meanwhile, if elected vice president and Moreno is not the winner for the presidential polls, Ong said he could work with any president, noting that he is not into destroying the reputation of other candidates.

"Ako po kasi, I can work with any president, kita niyo naman hindi ako naninira. Kahit kanino, sa presidential, vice presidential, actually mga kaibigan ko nga sila lahat eh," Ong said.

(I can work with any president. As you can see, I'm not tainting the image of other candidates. They're actually my friends.)

"Tingin ko kasi hindi natin kailangan 'yung negative campaigning sa ngayon, kung sino 'yung mananalong presidente, kung hindi si Mayor Isko, susuportahan ko 100%, hindi tayo manggugulo, hindi natin iimpeach, hindi natin didisqualify..." he added.

(We don't need any negative campaigning. Whoever wins, if it's not Mayor Isko, I will give my 100% support. I will not impeach nor disqualify.) — RSJ, GMA News