Doc Willie Ong withdraws from Senate race

Cardiologist Willie Ong announced Thursday his withdrawal from the Senate race to take care of his health.

"I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections. So I can focus more on taking care of my health," Ong said in a statement posted on his Facebook account.

Despite his withdrawal of senatorial bid, Ong said he will keep on supporting good governance and the candidates who push the same agenda as him.

“I will continue to support good governance and the candidates who espouse the same ideals as mine. Our advocacy to help the poor Filipinos continues even in my private capacity,” he said.

Ong also thanked the people who supported and prayed for him.

In September last year, the health advocate shared he is undergoing treatment for cancer. He said doctors found a 16 x 13 x 12 centimeter sarcoma in his abdomen. It was "hidden" behind his heart, he said, and in front of his spine.

On the same month, he announced that he would run for senator in the May 2025 national elections. It was his wife, Dr. Liza Ong, who filed his certificate of candidate on his behalf as he is undergoing treatment in Singapore.

In a statement, former Senator Bam Aquino thanked Ong for his love of the country.

“It is with deep respect that I acknowledge the difficult decision of Doc Willie Ong to withdraw his candidacy for the Senate so he can focus on his health recovery. Maraming salamat, Doc Willie, sa iyong malasakit at pagmamahal sa bayan (Thank you for your concern and love for the country),” Aquino, who is running for the Senate in the 2025 elections, said.

Aquino wished Ong a fast and complete recovery, as well as strength for the doctor's family.

Ong, who ran for vice president in 2022 but lost, ranked 19th to 21st in the Pulse Asia poll on 2025 Senate bets released on February 10, or a day before the campaign period started.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups started on Tuesday and will run until May 10, 2025.

Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for House of Representatives and provincial, city and municipal elections will be from March 28 to May 10.

Election Day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30. —with Llanesca Panti/AOL/VBL, GMA Integrated News

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