Cardiologist Willie Ong is officially running in the 2019 senatorial elections.
The doctor who’s known for giving health tips on social media marked his intention to enter politics after he filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila.
Ong is running under Lakas-Christian Muslims Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party where late Senator Juan Flavier is also a member.
According to him, he wanted to follow the footstep of Flavier who’s also a doctor by profession.
“Nakita ko ‘yung butas sa Senate, wala tayong doktor doon. Walang doktor doon na nagsusulong sa Committee on Health katulad ni Senator Juan Flavier,” Ong said in a press conference after filing his COC.
“Kapag napuntahan mo ‘yung mahirap na pasyente, maaawa kayo, matatransform kayo. Gusto natin tumulong, natry ko sa private, natry ko sa media, natry ko sa DOH (Department of Health), ito ang kailangan ngayon ng tao,” Ong added.
He also shared his platforms and he would push if he win a Senate seat.
“Ano isusulong natin? ‘Yung GOAL. ‘Yung ‘G’, Gamot. Dapat mas mura siya, or libre … Uulitin natin ‘yung cheap medicines bill. ‘Yung ‘O’, simpleng Operasyon like sa goiter, gall bladder, luslos … Gusto natin magawang package ‘yan, maoperahan natin,” he said.
“‘A’, sa Advice. ‘Yung ginagawa natin sa Facebook. Kailangan mas malawak, mas simple, mas direct … And ‘L’, Lab test. Kailangan ilibre ng PhilHealth.”
“Ang health hindi siya ganon kasimple. Sasabihin mo libreng gamot, libreng operasyon, mayroon kang complication … Kailangan marunong ka para ipasa,” Ong added.
No one expected that Ong would run for Senator, even his fans were shocked when the doctor surprised his followers on Facebook about his intention.
He only announced his intention to enter politics this month.
Before becoming a famous doctor on social media, Ong first appeared on television giving free health tips to people.
Ong also offered his help to the victims of Dengvaxia.