Willie Ong: Better to lose polls than accept millions for campaign

Health advocate Willie Ong on Sunday said it was better that he lost his senatorial bid rather than win and be indebted to anyone who contributed to his campaign kitty.

Ong, a doctor with 10.1 million followers on Facebook alone, said he did not accept any donation and spent only P500,000 for his campaign, which prevented him from placing television ads. 

"Para sa akin lang, ayoko, parang may utang ako. Mas okay pa sa aking matalo nang walang campaign funds, kaysa tumanggap ako ng P200 million, nanalo ako. Anong victory doon?" he told radio DZMM. 

(I just don't want to have any debt. It's better to lose without campaign funds than accept P200 million and win. What's the victory there?) 

Ong got some 7.6 million votes, landing in 18th place. 

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Asked if would run again in 2022, Ong said, "Ipagdarasal natin, medyo mahirap s'ya. Ibang laro s'ya." 

(We'll pray, it's a bit difficult. It's a different game.) 

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DZMM, 26, May 2019