Photo credit: Wilbert Lee

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee has officially pulled the plug on his senatorial bid for the 2025 midterm elections, saying it was a tough call but a necessary one.

"Napagpasyahan ko na po na mag-withdraw na sa pagka-senador," Lee announced in a press conference on Monday, February 10. "Isa po ito sa napakahirap na desisyon para sa akin, lalo pa't naniniwala ako sa aking mga pinaglalaban."

Lee admitted that while traveling across the country to campaign, he realized that his current resources and political machinery weren’t enough to make a strong impact nationwide.

"Sa pag-iikot ko sa bansa, napagtanto ko na hindi pa talaga sapat ang makinarya na meron tayo ngayon para maabot ang lahat ng ating kababayan upang mapakilala at maipaalam ang ating ipinaglalaban na adbokasiya," he explained.

Rather than pushing forward with an uphill battle, Lee said he believes in taking more time to strengthen his connections with Filipinos and prepare a more solid foundation for a future campaign.

"Naging malinaw po ito para sa akin na kailangan pa ng mas mahabang panahon para mapatibay ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa kapwa nating Pilipino at maging sapat ang kahandaan at makinarya para sa matagumpay na kampanya," he added.

While stepping away from the senatorial race, Lee remains committed to his advocacies, particularly those related to agriculture and the welfare of farmers. What’s next for him? That remains to be seen, but for now, he’s focused on continuing his work as a legislator.