MANILA, Philippines – Despite his cancer diagnosis, cardiologist and online health personality Willie Ong, known as Doc Willie, filed his certificate of candidacy for senator on Thursday, October 3, through his wife, Liza Ong.
Ong is currently in Singapore receiving treatment for abdominal cancer. His wife struggled to hold back tears as she expressed gratitude to the public for their prayers for her husband’s speedy recovery.
Ong is running for senator as an independent candidate. He first ran for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections as a Lakas-CMD candidate, finishing at 18th place with around 7.5 million votes.
In 2022, he ran for vice president but lost to Vice President Sara Duterte.
In the recent Pulse Asia Research survey conducted in September 6 to 13, Ong ranked between 14th and 22nd.
Ong’s spokesperson, lawyer Gilberto Lauengco, said that the doctor will return to the Philippines by December for a limited physical campaign and will fully utilize social media throughout the election period.
“He was told by his doctor that although his condition is nothing to [sneeze at], it is treatable,” Lauengco said, adding that Ong is banking on a “faith-based” campaign.
“Faith that people will understand. Faith that God will give him enough time to finish this, and faith that enough people will like him and support him enough to propel him to the Senate,” Lauengco explained.
Ong gained fame through his social media videos where he offered medical advice to Filipinos.
Lauengco said Ong is confident that he would be physically fit to fulfill the duties of a senator if elected.
“He is fully confident. As a doctor, he is well aware of his limitations for campaigning, and for actually participating as an active senator. He knows and understands that his sickness is something that will debilitate enough to prevent him from doing that. There will be times it will be tough, and he will fight for it, but he is very confident that he will be physically fit in the event that he wins to perform the duties of a senator,” Lauengco said. – Rappler.com
