Dr. Willie Ong, March 20, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Cancer-stricken doctor Willie Ong said Thursday he was backing out of the 2025 Senate race due to his health.

“I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections. So I can focus more on taking care of my health,” Ong told his 17 million Facebook followers.

“I sincerely thank all the people who supported me and prayed for me. I will continue to support good governance and the candidates who espouse the same ideals as mine. Our advocacy to help the poor Filipinos continues even in my private capacity,” he added. 

Ong revealed his cancer diagnosis in September after his doctors found a huge mass in his abdomen.

He is “resting” and is back in the Philippines after months of getting treatment in Singapore, his lawyer Gilbert Lauengco said.

“His sarcoma has actually gotten smaller. But as we've always stated, the cure that he has to undergo is sometimes worse than the disease itself because it has left him in a weakened state and a very highly emotional state,” he told ANC.  

He added that Ong felt “troubled” over “very mean messages” he received online.

"It all contributed to his decision to step out of this race. Physically, emotionally, his morale went down also," the lawyer said. 

“That’s why he made this decision. He wanted to focus all his strength, all the positiveness in his life to this particular battle, to recover from what he went through.”

The doctor-vlogger unsuccessfully ran for vice president in 2022.

Heal PH, a party-list seeking a congressional seat in May's midterm elections, said Ong would "continue to endorse and strongly support" the group.