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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Doc Willie Ong prefers to lead health sector but open to handle other fields

Doc Willie Ong prefers to lead health sector but open to handle other fields

Published Feb 26, 2022 08:59 pm

Aksyon Demokratiko vice presidential candidate Dr. Willie Ong said it will be up to the president if he will be assigned to lead the Department of Health or help with the distribution of “ayuda” or cash aids.

(Photo from Doc Willie Ong's Facebook page/ MANILA BULLETIN)

“Depende sa presidente kung gusto niya ako ilagay sa Department of Health overview sa health. Kung gusto niya ako tumulong sa ayuda, okay lang sa akin (It depends on the president if he wants to appoint me in the Department of Health or he wants me to have an overview of our health sector. If he wants me to help in the distribution of cash aid, it’s fine with me),” Ong said during the CNN Philippines vice presidential debate on Saturday. Feb. 26.

Ong is the running mate of presidential candidate and Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

“Ang partner ko si Isko Moreno, sabi niya ‘Doc Willie kung hindi pandemic time, baka hindi ikaw ang tamang vice president pero ngayon pandemic kailangan natin maayos (My partner is Isko Moreno, he said‘ Doc Willie if it’s not pandemic time, maybe you're not the right vice president but now it’s pandemic we need to fix it),” he shared.

The cardiologist and internist also maintained he ran for the vice president post mainly because of the pandemic.

“Dahil sa pandemic talagang nasira ‘yung ekonomiya, trabaho, pati tourism natin (Because of the pandemic, our economy, jobs, and tourism have been affected),” he said.

While Ong has been recently saying he prefers to lead the health sector if elected, he said he is open to handle other positions even outside his expertise.

“With other fields, okay naman sa akin kahit Agriculture, DSWD o Foreign Affairs. Mabilis tayo matuto (It is fine with me even in Agriculture, DSWD or Foreign Affairs. I learn fast),” he assured.

Ong had earlier said he wanted to improve the healthcare system in the country to save the lives of the Filipino people.

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