Doc Willie Ong/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – Cancer-stricken senatorial aspirant Willie Ong announced his withdrawal from the race due to health reasons. 

“I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections. So I can focus more on taking care of my health,” Ong said on Facebook. 

“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. Our advocacy to help the poor Filipinos continues even in my private capacity,” he said. 

Heal PH, a party-list seeking a congressional seat in May’s midterm elections, said Ong would “continue to endorse and strongly support” the group.

Ong revealed having cancer in September following the huge mass found in his abdomen.

The doctor-vlogger ran for the Vice Presidency as the running mate of then Manila Mayor Isko Moreno but the tandem lost. 

Meanwhile the Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the body has not received the official notice of withdrawal from Ong. 

Garcia said a resolution allows the Comelec to accept notices of withdrawal via an emissary if the candidate’s reason for not personally submitting is health – as certified by an attending physician.