Isko partner Willie Ong sees no substitution at last minute

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Dr. Willie Ong. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines—Vice presidential aspirant Dr. Willie Ong expressed confidence that he would not be replaced with a substitute candidate by running mate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno at the last minute.

“In our agreement with Mayor Isko, we’re really a go. I don’t see that scenario,” Ong said in Filipino at Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday (Sept. 29).

But he also said he would continue to help people if substitution happened.

“It doesn’t matter. Where God puts me I will follow because my goal is to help people,” Ong said. “I did not desire this, there’s a long line,” he said.

Moreno and Ong, who had declared intent to run for president and vice president, were expected to file their certificates of candidacy in the coming days.

Asked if he would consider running for senator, Ong said he probably would but legislative work was fleeting unlike the vice presidency.

“I’ll look at it. I think it’s okay,” he said. “Whatever is okay with me,” Ong said.

But he added: “A senator makes laws but after one year no more. But here (as vice president), for sure I can give help. If there’s a VP, there’s budget.”

Ong ran but lost when he ran for senator in the 2019 midterm elections. He officially took oath as member of Aksyon Demokratiko, Moreno’s political party, last Saturday (Sept. 25).

He resigned from Lakas-CMD party after announcing his candidacy with Moreno.

TSB