Rep Wilbert Lee withdraws from Senate race, lacked reach

AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert Lee announced on Monday that he is withdrawing from the 2025 Senate race, citing insufficient political machinery to secure a successful campaign.

Lee acknowledged in a statement shared with media that despite his aggressive early campaign efforts, including spending P13.2 million in outdoor advertisements and at least P2.5 million for Facebook posts, he lacked the necessary reach to introduce his advocacies to all Filipinos.

Based on recent Pulse Asia survey results, Lee ranked 31st-63rd with only 25% of respondents aware of him and 1% intending to vote for him, leading him to conclude that more time is needed to strengthen engagement with voters.

He thanked his supporters while emphasizing that AGRI Party-list will continue its work despite his withdrawal from the race and will push for legislative measures to protect farmers, fisherfolk, and local food producers.

Lee vowed to champion these groups and spearheaded key laws such as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (RA11985), while continuing to push for bills like the 'Cheaper Rice Act' and others.