From Stranger to Frontrunner: Sam Verzosa’s rise in the Manila mayoral race
It has been months of witnessing how Sam Verzosa rose from being a stranger to a lot of Manila residents to becoming their source of hope now. As we have seen how Manila was slowly turning into orange, Verzosa’s official political color, the independent candidate has continued to gain momentum—even without the backing of a political party. And now, just a week before the elections, the race for Manila mayor has become one of the most watched and tightly contested.
A Movement Without a Party
On a Sunday night, Sam “SV” Verzosa stood before a packed venue, greeted by chants and cheers. There was no political party behind him, no long-established machinery—only people.
“Wala na nga akong partido, independent na nga ako pero todo pa rin ’yung paninira nila. Sobrang threatened na kasi sila L kakampi ko na ’yung buong Manilenyo,” Verzosa said, igniting loud applause from the crowd.
The absence of party support hasn’t stopped him from building a base. In fact, he insists it’s the people who fuel his run. “Ito ’yung mga tunay na kakampi ko. Sila po ang aking partido.”
Three Promises and a Pledge of Unity
His platform remains consistent and clear. SV promises expanded health services for senior citizens, education assistance for students, and jobs for the unemployed. But beyond that, he offers a personal commitment to bridge divides after the elections.
“Ako na ang susuyo sa kanila, ako na ’yung lalapit, ako na ’yung mag-aabot ng aking kamay. Para magkaroon ng pagkakaisa. At saka sa eleksiyon lang naman ’yung galit-galit, eh. Pagkatapos ng eleksiyon kailangan nating magkaisa kasi maraming umaasa.”
Campaign Struggles and Silent Battles
Behind the growing momentum is a campaign riddled with silent battles. Posters have been repeatedly torn down. His name has been linked with candidates he didn’t choose. Still, Verzosa presses on.
“Ang daming nagbabaklas ng mga poster natin, ‘yung mga poster natin kahit ngayon ilagay, bukas wala na. Grabe, wala na nga ako partido, independent na ako pero todo pa din ang paninira nila. Sobrang threatened sila kasi kakampi ko ang mga tunay na Manilenyo. Sila ang lumalaban para sa akin, sila ‘yung mga umaasa at sila din ang mga pinaglalaban ko.”
He’s aware of efforts to drag his name through association, but he chooses to stay above the fray. “Ayoko na mag-comment dun, di ko nga alam kung bakit galit siya. Magkatabi lang ‘yung picture namin, hindi naman ako ang nagpagawa, ewan ko kung sino. Hindi ko siya kilala personally.”
Taking Aim at City Sales
When asked about one of the most controversial issues—the sale of public properties under a past administration—SV didn’t mince words.
“Sa dinami-dami ng binenta, nag-focus sa UDM. Eh ang daming binenta, bakit di maipaliwanag bakit binenta ang Divisoria? Bakit mo binenta ang Quiricada Fire Station?…”
And he made it personal, drawing a line between governance and ownership. “Wala kayong karapatang magbenta ng hindi sa inyo. Property ‘yan ng Manilenyo.”
Addressing the Residency Doubts
Residency questions have been used to challenge his eligibility, but Verzosa was quick to set the record straight.
“Hindi ko maintindihan kasi buong buhay ko, nasa internet na. Na-feature na ‘yung bahay namin sa Sampaloc, hanggang ngayon nandun pa din… ibig sabihin ba nun hindi na ako taga-Maynila?”
His tone reflected both disbelief and fatigue, pointing to the online visibility of his long-time Manila residence.
Delivering Before Day One
More than slogans, Verzosa points to actual programs that are already running. His “Serbisyo Van” initiative has offered health assistance even before ballots are cast. Hundreds of small-scale livelihood packages—like food carts—have also been distributed across the city.
“Ibibigay ang lahat, ilalaban kayo hanggang dulo. Ibibigay ang lahat nang walang kapalit… hindi ko po pag-iinteresan ang pera ng Maynila. Ako ang magiging tulay ninyo para ang pera ng Manilenyo idi-diretso ko sa mga tao.”
A Statistical Tie with the Former Mayor
According to the latest ‘Boses ng Bayan’ survey from RPMD Foundation, Verzosa now stands at 43%, slightly ahead of former Manila mayor Isko Moreno, who follows at 41%. It’s a close call with only 3% of voters undecided and a ±2% margin of error. Notably, Verzosa gained five points while Moreno dropped by four since the previous poll.
Final Push
He may have started this race as a name unfamiliar to many Manileños, but today, Sam Verzosa is proving that service speaks louder than tradition. With each handshake, project, and speech, he’s rewriting what it means to run without a party—and perhaps, what it means to win with the people behind you.
