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Tutok to Win partylist representative, businessman, TV host of Dear SV, and Frontrow co-founder Sam “SV” Verzosa has confirmed his bid to run for mayor of Manila in the upcoming 2025 elections.

Known for his extensive charity work, Verzosa has promised to push for major reforms, such as increasing the monthly allowance for senior citizens from ₱500 to ₱2,000 and improving the quality of aid distributed to Manileños.

During a recent visit to Barangay 127, Zone 10 Paradise Heights in Tondo, Manila, he distributed “ayudang hindi tinipid“—aid that is more generous and better in quality than the typical relief goods usually provided.

On his decision to run for mayor

Verzosa admitted that running for mayor was not originally part of his life plan, but his public service journey has led him here.

“Wala naman sa plano yon e, kahit yung pagiging congressman ko” (It wasn’t part of the plan, not even becoming a congressman).

“Nagka-show tayo sa CNN dati dahil sa kakatulong ko… Sabi nila, napakadaming nanood ng istorya ng buhay mo, bakit hindi natin gawing programa para mas maraming matulungan” (We had a show on CNN because of my work helping others… They said so many people watched my life story, why not turn it into a program to help more people), Verzosa said, recalling how his TV show Dear SV, which airs on GMA every Saturday at 11:30 p.m., was born from his desire to extend his outreach.

When asked about his run, he firmly answered, “Sure tayong lalaban tayo para sa mga Manileño. Talagang iyon na po yung sigaw nila kahit saan ako magpunta.” (We are sure that we will fight for the Manileños. That’s really what people are calling for wherever I go.)

“At ngayon, sa kakatulong na naman, inuudyok na naman tayo na maging mayor ng Maynila. (And now, because of my continued efforts to help, they are urging me again to run for mayor of Manila.)

“Kung ganito yung laban na gustong ibigay sa atin ng Diyos, kung kailangan kong ilaban ang mga tao ng Maynila—mga anak ng Maynila, iaalay natin ang sarili natin at ang kapalaran natin.” (If this is the battle that God wants to give us, if I need to fight for the people of Manila—the children of Manila, we will offer ourselves and our destiny).

On the incumbents and his vision for Manila

One of Verzosa’s strongest messages was directed at the long-standing political status in Manila, whom he believes have failed the city. He expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the city under their leadership.

“Ilang taon na hong namumuno yang mga pangalan na yan e! 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, may nagbago ba? Lalong nalugmok, lalong naging bangkarote po ang Pilipinas, ang Maynila.” (These names have been leading for so many years! 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, has anything changed? The Philippines, Manila, has only sunk deeper into bankruptcy.)

He openly questioned how these politicians have accumulated wealth. “Bakit yumaman sila? May bahay na sa Alabang, may bahay na sa BGC. Ano bang negosyo mo? Akala ko ba galing-hirap? Ba’t ang yaman na?” (Why did they become rich? They have houses in Alabang, houses in BGC. What’s their business? I thought they came from poverty? Why are they so rich now?)

Verzosa called for a major shift in leadership and the use of the city’s funds. “Ibigay natin ang pera ng Maynila para sa tao, huwag lang sa bulsa ng iilang mga namumuno.” (Let’s give Manila’s money to the people, not just into the pockets of a few leaders.)

Verzosa’s vision for Manila includes significant improvements in social services, such as his promise to double the senior citizens’ monthly allowance to ₱2,000. “Kung kaya nating gawin… bakit hindi kaya sa buong Maynila?” (If we can do this… why not for all of Manila?)

He also outlined his plans for free healthcare, better education, and job creation. “Libre ang ospital, libre ang gamot, at sana lahat ng estudyante magkaroon ng libreng allowance. (Free hospitals, free medicine, and hopefully all students will receive free allowances.)

“Kasi pag ang namumuno, walang negosyo, walang karanasan… wala talagang mangyayari sa Maynila. (Because if the leaders have no business or real experience… nothing will happen in Manila).

“Pare-parehong pangalan, pare-parehong namumuno. Yumaman na nga sila nang sobra-sobra.” (The same names, the same leaders. They’ve gotten so rich already.)

On his relationship with Rhian Ramos

When asked about his relationship with actress Rhian Ramos and the possibility of marriage, Verzosa was careful to keep his personal life out of his political campaign.

“Ayoko pong gamitin itong isyu ng kasal sa ganitong panahon, kasi baka sabihin—ginagamit lang namin ito para sa politika. (I don’t want to use this marriage issue during this time because people might say we’re using it for politics.)

He was adamant to share, “Sabi ko kay Rhian, hinding-hindi ko gagawin yung ginagawa ng iba… Hindi ko po gagamitin ang kasikatan ng partner ko. (I told Rhian, I would never do what others do… I will not use my partner’s fame).

“Ayoko na pong magsalita. Pag ganon e, para naman yong self-serving para ‘kin, ginagamit natin yung kasikatan ng partner natin. Sana huwag na natin munang pag-usapan yan. Pagtapos na ng lahat ng ito, basta kasama ko po siya sa lahat ng magagandang hangarin natin, sa mga pagtulong.” (I don’t want to speak about it anymore. If I do, it would seem self-serving, like I’m using my partner’s fame. I hope we don’t talk about it for now. Once all of this is over, she will still be with me in all of my good intentions and our efforts to help.)

On smear campaigns and his motivation

As Verzosa enters the political arena, he has faced several smear campaigns, but he remains unfazed by the negativity as he continues to focus on the good.

“Marami na pong naninira, pero sabi nga nila, you can’t put a good man down” (Many have already tried to ruin me, but as they say, you can’t put a good man down), he said, expressing the purity of his intentions. “Pag may ginagawa kang mabuti, ano pang sasabihin nila? Sabi ko, wala tayong gagawin kundi pagtulong at kabutihan. Kung gusto nilang pigilan, hindi ho tayo magpapapigil.” (When you’re doing something good, what else can they say? I said, we will do nothing but help and do good. If they want to stop us, we won’t let them.)

He even recalled, “Noong bata ako, dina-down na ako buong buhay ko. Doon ko nakukuha yung motibasyon, do’n ako lalong nagsusumikap. Lalo nila kaming sinisiraan, lalo akong nanggigigil na ibigay lahat ng meron ako.” (When I was a child, I was put down my entire life. That’s where I get my motivation, that’s when I strive even harder. The more they try to bring us down, the more determined I am to give everything I have.)

He concluded by reiterating that his efforts are part of a larger movement, not merely a political endeavor.

“Itong ginagawa ko, movement ‘to e! Hindi ko ‘to ginagawa para mamulitika! Ginagawa ko ‘to para maging inspirasyon at para gayahin ng iba. We don’t just do this to help but to inspire others to do the same. So sana po, lahat ng mga kababayan ko, magtulong-tulong tayo! Yun laban na ‘to, hindi ko po ‘to laban. Laban n’yo po ito!” (This is a movement! I’m not doing this for politics! I’m doing this to inspire and to encourage others to do the same. We don’t just do this to help but to inspire others to follow. So I hope all my fellow citizens will join and help! This fight isn’t mine—this is your fight!)