Willie Ong open to Senate run to give way to stronger VP bet
Dr. Willie Ong. (Photo from Facebook)
MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Willie Ong who is running for vice president with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, on Thursday said he is open to run for senator should the mayor change his mind and go for a stronger running mate.
“Given na sinabi niya kahapon na hindi na niya ‘ko papalitan, pero just in case magbago isip ni Mayor Isko, I told him yesterday, sabi ko, ‘Yorme, kung mayroon kang mapipiling iba, okay lang sa akin. Lagay mo ko sa Senate, papayag ako,’” Ong shared over Teleradyo.
(Given that he said yesterday that he will not replace me, just in case Mayor Isko changes his mind, I told him, “if you choose another candidate, it’s fine with me. If you put me in the Senate, I’ll agree.”)
“You have a free hand. Wala akong (I don’t have) anything about myself,” he added, noting that he is only seeking to ensure the public’s health.
Ong mentioned that when Moreno tapped him as his running mate, he only asked to save Filipinos’ lives.
“Nung pinili niya ‘kong VP, wala akong hiningi kahit ano. Ang hiningi ko lang, isa, I will tell you. Hiningi ko lang, ligtas mo lang ang buhay ng milyon-milyong Pilipino. Bigay mo na sa akin ‘yung tamang budget,” he said, noting that medical knowledge is his edge among other vice presidential bets.
(When he chose me as his vice president, I didn’t ask for anything. I only asked for one thing, I’ll tell you. I asked to save the lives of millions of Filipinos. Just give me the right budget.)
Earlier, Moreno justified that he chose Ong as his running mate as the country faces the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on a recent Pulse Asia survey, Senate President Vicente Sotto III appears to be the top choice for vice president followed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
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