Wilbert Lee backs out of 2025 Senate race

Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee on Monday backed out of the 2025 Senate race, a day before the start of the 90-day campaign period for national elective posts.

In a statement, Lee said he does not have sufficient political machinery to implement a successful campaign.

“Sa pag-iikot ko po sa ating bansa, napagtanto ko na hindi sapat ang makinarya na mayroon po tayo ngayon para maabot ang lahat ng ating mga kababayan upang mapakilala at maipaalam ang aking mga ipinaglalabang adbokasiya," he said.

(As I went around the country, I realized that the political machinery I have now is not enough to be able to introduce myself and my advocacy to the voters.)

Lee said it was a difficult decision that has to be made.

“Isa po itong napakahirap na desisyon para sa akin, lalo pa’t naniniwala po ako sa aking mga ipinaglalaban na nais kong dalhin sa Senado. Pero matapos nga po ang taimtim na pagdarasal, pag-iisip, at konsultasyon, naniniwala rin ako na ito ang marapat gawin sa pagkakataong ito,” Lee said.

(This has been a very difficult decision for me, especially because I believe that I could make a difference in fighting for my advocacies in the Senate. But after a contemplative prayer and consultation, I believe this is the right thing to do at this time.)

“As they say, sometimes, it is not the times you decide to fight, but the times you decide not to fight, that makes all the difference,” Lee added.

Instead, Lee said he will focus on helping AGRI Party-list in its reelection bid to ensure continuity of its advocacies, especially support for the agriculture sector and protection for farmers, fishermen, and local food producers.

“The AGRI party-list will remain just as committed to fulfilling its mandate as representative of the agriculture sector and other marginalized sectors in protecting the interests of our farmers, fisherfolk and local food producers for affordable food,” Lee added.

Comelec will not reprint ballots

For its part, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not order the reprinting of ballots following Lee’s withdrawal.

Poll chairperson George Erwin Garcia said Lee’s name will remain in the official printed ballots, but his votes will be considered  “stray.”

“We cannot afford a reprinting of the ballots and the change of the numbers of candidates at this point,” said Garcia.

The Comelec has printed over 20 million ballots for Eleksyon 2025 as of February 10, he added. — AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News