Doc Willie Ong to run for senator in Eleksyon 2025

Cardiologist Willie Ong will make a comeback in the Senate race in the May 2025 elections amid his battle with cancer. 

On Facebook Live, Ong announced on Monday he would file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator through his wife, Dr. Anna Liza Ramoso. 

“Magpa-file po ako for senator. I’ll be filing for senator on October 2, Wednesday. Nagawa ko na ‘yung papeles, na-notarize ko na…Si Doc Liza…siya magpa-file ng sa akin pero ako ang tatakbo,” he said.

(I will run for senator. I will be filing my COC on October 2. I already signed the documents and notarized it. Doc Liza will be filing it on my behalf.)

The health advocate said he would run as an independent candidate and would campaign on social media for the next year's elections.

“I’ll do it the cleanest way. Hindi tayo connected sa admin, Duterte, opposition…Ako lang mag-isa, no one else. If they help me, thank you. Pag hindi, thank you. Wala akong utang, wala akong hinihigi…Walang kapalit,” said Ong. 

(I’ll do it the cleanest way. I am not connected with the admin, Duterte, opposition. It will be just me, no one else. If they help me, thank you. If not, thank you. I will not be indebted to them.)

In a statement, Ong said he will do his “best to fix healthcare in the country.”

He also said he will not be using campaign funds as he did during his 2019 and 2022 election campaigns.

Earlier this month, Ong 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.

The Mayo Clinic defines sarcoma as the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin in the bones and in the soft or connective tissues.

The doctor has gained an audience on social media, giving out health and wellness tips to his 9.7 million YouTube subscribers and 17 million Facebook followers (as of posting time).

In 2022, he was the runningmate of presidential candidate and former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno under the Aksyon Demokratiko party. Ong also run for Senate in 2019 but lost.

Ong served as consultant of the Department of Health from 2010 to 2014. He graduated the De La Salle University College of Medicine in 1992, and earned his Master in Public Health degree from the University of the Philippines Manila in 2002.—AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News