Willie Ong Bows Out of Senate Race, Focuses on Health Amid Cancer Battle
WILLIE ONG – Renowned doctor and social media personality Willie Ong has announced his decision to step down from the 2025 Senate race, citing the need to prioritize his health as he continues his battle with cancer.
Willie Ong announced on Thursday that he would be withdrawing from the 2025 Senate race due to his ongoing battle with cancer. The 59-year-old physician shared the news with his 17 million Facebook followers, stating that his health must take priority at this time.
“I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections so I can focus more on taking care of my health,” Ong said. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many supporters who had stood by him throughout his journey. “I sincerely thank all the people who supported me and prayed for me,” he added.
Despite stepping back from the political race, Ong made it clear that his commitment to helping the Filipino people would remain steadfast. “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 affirmed.
Following his announcement, Ong’s wife, Liza, along with his political party, Aksyon Demokratiko, confirmed his decision to withdraw from the Senate elections. Heal PH, a party-list group seeking a congressional seat in the upcoming May elections, also expressed their continued support for Ong, acknowledging that he would still lend his endorsement to their cause.
Ong’s cancer diagnosis was made public in September when medical tests revealed a significant mass in his abdomen. Since then, he has been focusing on treatment and recovery. This setback follows his previous political run in 2022, where he unsuccessfully ran for vice president.
Though his political career may be taking a pause, Ong’s dedication to his advocacy for the marginalized sectors of society remains unchanged. His supporters and the public alike continue to rally behind him, wishing him strength in his battle with cancer and in his ongoing efforts to improve the lives of those in need.
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