Ong to run for Senate with no campaign funds

DR. Willie Ong said on Thursday that he would run for senator in next year's midterm polls with no campaign funds.

«What we're going to do is we will not have any campaign funds.… I will not be accepting a single peso from anyone,» he said in a video message in Filipino.

«I don't want that… I want to win without any campaign funds because I want a clean and honest campaign, because if you want a dishonest campaign, that's your choice. If I don't accept any funds and win, we would do the best thing for the Philippines,» Ong added.

The former vice presidential candidate said his ongoing cancer treatment was doing well.

On Thursday, Dr. Lisa Ong, the candidate's wife, filed the certificate of candidacy for senator on behalf of her husband.

Ong's lawyer said the doctor was due to return to the country by the end of November.

Ong, a cardiologist and media personality, gained popularity for giving medical advice online through his Facebook page and YouTube channel.