The Dark Horse

“This is my sacrifice for the millions of sick and poor Filipinos and for God. I want to inspire and create a new breed of politicians. I want to bring health back to the people. I want to bring God back to the country.” — Dr. Willie T. Ong

When noted Cardiologist Doc Willie Ong’s name was officially announced as Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s running mate last September 22, it immediately brought back similar astonished reactions from an incredulous public when he filed for candidacy as a Senator in the 2019 midterm elections. Then, as is now, he surprised even his closest friends and family, as the soft-spoken, terribly-shy physician was never known to have harbored any iota of political ambition for as long as they’ve known him during his student days in Xavier School. But for this well-loved medical practitioner — who has been hailed as the “Doctor of the Masses” for his relentless efforts in uplifting the lives of the nation’s slum-dwellers by offering free medical services (often as his own expense) — throwing his hat into the political ring to add an undivided voice in addressing key health issues especially for the poor, is a consistent course of action aligned with his genuine, “Man-for-Others” persona.

Having all began as a boy-of-five’s wish to improve the living conditions of the poor people during an occasional stroll with his father on the streets of Manila, his overwhelming impulse to help those in need has never abated; and in fact, has grown over the years. This yearning desire led him to the pursuit of a medical career. In 1992, he graduated from De La Salle University Medical Center-Medical Arts Center with a Doctor of Medicine degree and pursued further studies in internal medicine at Manila Doctors Hospital from 1994 to 1996. He later completed his Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of the Philippines Manila in 2001.

A long-time advocate of free laboratory tests under Philhealth, free health consultations, more affordable medicines for the public and improved health care facilities and equipment, Doc Willie has written and published more than a dozen books on medicine, and has guested in numerous radio and television programs — such as DZMM TeleRadyo and ABS–CBN’s “Salamat Dok!” — making him a household name among those who regularly sought medical advice among the masses. This is buttressed by his regular newspaper columns in Philippine Star and Pilipino Star Ngayon, with a very active social media presence where he shares health tips and other medical-related information.

A recipient of numerous awards, he was honored by his alma mater in 2013 when he was named one of the Xavier Kuangchi Awardees for Exemplary Alumni; feted with an “Excellence Award” by the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations; an “Ulirang Ama Award” in 2008 by the National Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Foundation; “The Outstanding Filipino Physician Award” in 2007 by JCI Senate Philippines; and the “Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Excellence in Medicine” in 2006 by the Kaisa Heritage Center and The Manila Times, among countless other accolades given during his over thirty-year career as a doctor.

All told, Doc Willie shall continue to typify the DARK HORSE in this election. Eschewing traditionally notorious elements of winning national campaigns, he will be banking on social media to boost his chances in the upcoming polls than fall into the deadly trap involving monetary donations. Indeed, in a contest where relative unknowns without conventional resources cannot even hope to succeed, Doc Willie represents a new breed of progressive political game changers who will truly speak to the hopes and aspirations of the people and not sell out the masses in the name of moderation that only serves those with money and power.