Former vice presidential candidate Willie Ong, who has 17 million followers on Facebook, announced his withdrawal from the Senate race on Thursday to focus on his health.

"I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections. So I can focus more on taking care of my health," he said in a Facebook post.

"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," said Ong, a doctor.

In 2024, Ong announced his plan to run for senator even as he revealed he is undergoing cancer treatment.

Ong assures the public that his "advocacy to help the poor Filipinos continues even in (his) private capacity."

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a senatorial candidate under the PDP-Laban was transferred to Pasig City Jail after weeks of hospitalization due to pneumonia.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson and Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera said Quiboloy was transferred to the Pasig City Jail Male Dormitory on Wednesday night.

"After receiving medical clearance, Quiboloy was discharged from hospital and transferred back to BJMP Pasig City Jail on February 12, 2025, at 9:50 pm," he said.

Quiboloy was arrested on Sept 8, 2024 due to allegations of sex trafficking and sexual abuse of minors.

Bustinera said Quiboloy was first brought to Rizal Medical Center (RMC) on January 18, 2025 around 5 pm after complaining of difficulty breathing.

Quiboloy was initially diagnosed by RMC physicians with pneumonia, prompting his transfer to The Medical City in Ortigas for further treatment.

On January 23, 2025, RTC 159 ordered his transfer from TMC to Pasig City General Hospital (PCGH), where he was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (moderate risk) and Hypertension Stage 2.

While confined at PCGH, the court granted Quiboloy permission on February 7, 2025, to record a video for his senatorial campaign purposes. Robina Asido/DMS