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Willie Ong Withdraws Senate Bid
The Philippine Star
|February 14, 2025
Doctor-vlogger Willy Ong is backing out of the May 2025 senatorial race to focus on his cancer treatment.
"I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections so I can focus on taking care of my health," Ong said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He added, "I sincerely thank all the people who supported me and prayed for me... I will continue to support good governance and the candidates who espouse the same ideals as mine." Ong stressed that his "advocacy to help the poor Filipinos continues even in my private capacity." Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said they have yet to receive the statement of withdrawal, adding that Ong need not personally submit the statement as long as he has a medical certification from his doctor.
It was in September last year when Ong revealed that he is undergoing treatment for "sarcoma cancer" in his stomach.
He was already undergoing treatment when he filed the certificate of candidacy for senator last October.
His partymate in Agri party-list, Rep.
This story is from the February 14, 2025 edition of The Philippine Star.
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