‘Sana po huwag niyong sayangin’: Manila mayoralty candidate Sam Verzosa appeals to Manileños to join his fight for change
Amid the aroma of warm bread (ensaymada, cheese rolls, and asado buns!) at the Tinapayan Festival bakery in Dapitan Street, Manila mayoralty candidate and Frontrow business owner Sam Verzosa was met with curiosity from members of the local press. Beyond the friendly mood, Verzosa delivered a message that resonated with both urgency and hope: Manila needs genuine, transparent leadership—and it needs it now.
“Ako po si Sam Verzosa. Isang tunay na Batang Sampaloc. Galing kami sa wala, pero pinalad akong makaahon. At ngayon, ibinabalik ko po sa tao ang lahat ng biyayang natanggap ko,” he said in his opening remarks.
Known for his work as co-founder of Frontrow and for his long-running TV segment “Dear SV,” Verzosa emphasized his track record of sustainable, nationwide outreach—from scholarships and small business grants to mobile medical clinics.
“Kung nagawa ko para sa iba, bakit hindi ko magawa para sa Maynila?” he challenged.
“KKK” for the People: Kalusugan, Kaalaman, Kabuhayan
Verzosa explained his core platform, which he dubbed the “KKK Program”:
• Kalusugan (Health): “Hindi pwedeng may ospital ka nga, pero walang gamot. Hindi pwedeng may center ka, pero walang doktor o nurse. Yan ang una nating aayusin.”
• Kaalaman (Education): “Ayokong may batang hihinto ng pag-aaral dahil sa kahirapan. Gaya ko, ginamit ko ang edukasyon para umasenso. Yan ang gusto kong ibigay sa bawat kabataan ng Maynila.”
• Kabuhayan (Livelihood): “Hindi sapat ang ayuda. Ang kailangan natin ay long-term na kabuhayan—negosyong kayang itaguyod ang pamilya.”
He emphasized, “Tutulungan ko silang tulungan ang sarili nila. Hindi ito panandalian. Ito’y pangmatagalan.”
On Corruption and Selling City Assets
The conversation turned serious when he addressed controversies surrounding the sale of Manila’s public properties during the pandemic.
“Ginamit ang pandemya para magbenta at mangutang. Pero bakit Maynila lang ang gumawa nito? Makati, Pasig, Taguig—nakapagtulong din sila, pero hindi sila nangutang ng bilyon o nagbenta ng lupa.”
Had he been in office at the time, Verzosa insisted, “Hindi ko ibebenta ang ari-arian ng lungsod na hindi sa akin. Kung kinakailangan, hihingi ako ng tulong sa kapwa negosyante, gaya ng ginawa ko noon.”
“Bago tayo mangutang, bago tayo magbenta, gamitin muna natin ang utak, puso, at diskarte.”
On Leadership and Political Integrity
With no party machinery behind him, Verzosa remains confident in his independent run.
“Wala akong utang na loob sa kahit kanino. Lahat ng ginagastos ko, galing sa sarili kong bulsa. Kaya wala akong kailangang bayaran na pabor. Ang tanging utang na loob ko ay sa mga Manilenyo.”
He believes that his success in the private sector is his greatest asset in public service.
“Yung ibang politiko, nagnegosyo pagkatapos pumasok sa gobyerno. Ako, nagtagumpay muna bago tumulong. Walang baliktad. Wala akong balak pag-interesan ang pera ng Maynila.”
On Political Noise and Trolls
Verzosa didn’t shy away from the reality of being targeted online.
“Madumi ang pulitika. Pero hindi ko inakala na ganito kadumi. Ginagamit ang trolls, fake news, at vlogs para siraan ako. Pero mabuti na lang, may mga resibo tayo. Lahat documented—nasa Facebook, YouTube, TikTok.”
He even referenced past collaborations with current and former city officials:
“Nag-cut pa kami ng ribbon ni Isko sa isang Frontrow Eskwela. Kasama ko si Mayor Honey Lacuna sa isa pang project. Tapos ngayon, parang nakalimutan na nila?”
On Motivation, Service, and Sacrifice
When asked why he would leave a comfortable life to enter politics, Verzosa didn’t hesitate.
“May bahay ako. May sasakyan ako. May negosyo ako. Pero iba ang saya sa pagtulong. Dito ako masaya. Ito ang calling ko.”
He revealed he has poured nearly everything into this cause—his time, energy, and even personal assets.
“More than 200 million na ang naitulong ko. Nagbenta ako ng mga sasakyan, nag-donate ako ng Ferrari sa PGH, nagpagawa kami ng dialysis center.”
And yet, it’s the human connection that drives him. “Tuwing may lumalapit at umiiyak na nabigyan ko ng pag-asa, triple ang saya ko. Kahit pagod, tuloy ang laban.”
A Message for Manila
Verzosa ended the session with a heartfelt appeal:
“Minsan ko lang iaalay ang sarili ko sa inyo. Lahat ng meron ako—resources, talino, puso—ibibigay ko. Sana maramdaman ninyo, hindi lang marinig. Sana po, huwag niyong sayangin.”
WATCH the full interview:
