Cardiologist and health advocate Dr. Willie Ong has announced his return to politics, revealing plans to run in the 2025 Senate race amid his ongoing fight with cancer.
In a Facebook Live broadcast on Monday, Ong shared that his wife, Dr. Anna Liza Ramoso, will file his certificate of candidacy (COC) on his behalf on October 2. “Si Doc Liza… siya magpa-file ng sa akin pero ako ang tatakbo,” Ong stated.
Despite undergoing treatment for a large sarcoma found in his abdomen, Ong remains committed to his senatorial bid, running as an independent candidate. “I’ll do it the cleanest way,” he said, emphasizing that he is not aligned with any political factions. “If they help me, thank you. Pag hindi, thank you.”
Ong, who has gained significant influence through social media with millions of followers on YouTube and Facebook, plans to focus his campaign efforts online.
Ong previously ran for the Senate in 2019 and was the vice-presidential candidate of former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno in 2022. He served as a Department of Health consultant from 2010 to 2014.