Businessman and TV host Sam Verzosa, a mayoral aspirant in the capital city of the Philippines, confronted criticism from his opponents during a recent charity event held in Barangay 20 Parola, Plaza Moriones, Manila. In an intimate interview with select media, Verzosa addressed accusations that he and his supporters are involved in alleged “scams” and pointed to what he considers the real and “biggest scam” affecting Manilans.
Talking to CinemaBravo about whether he was concerned about backlash from his opponents, Verzosa was straightforward.
“Actually, sila naman yung naninira e! Imbis na nananahimik akong tumutulong, sisitahin nila ‘ko, sisirain nila ‘ko…”
(Actually, they’re the ones spreading rumors! Instead of just letting me help, they criticize and try to destroy me).
He redirected attention to what he claims is Manila’s real financial issue: the nearly 20 billion pesos his opponents allegedly borrowed, which he said the city’s residents would be paying off for the next 20 years.
“Ang dapat pag-usapan, hindi yung pagtulong ko. Ang dapat na ma-explain, yung inutang nilang bilyon-bilyon na babayaran in 20 years ng mga kababayan natin,” he continued.
(What should be discussed is not my assistance efforts, but the billions they borrowed that our citizens will be paying for the next 20 years).
Verzosa also alleged that his opponents sold city properties without public consultation, referring to this as “the biggest scam in Manila’s history.”
Watch his strong and controversial statements during his well-received speech to Manilans here:
Against “scam” accusations
Verzosa didn’t shy away from confronting allegations that he is a “scam.”
He answered, “Scam? Dahil saan? Yung mga binibigay kong tulong? Masasarap na ayuda? Kabuhayan?”
(Scam? Because of what? The aid I give? The good-quality assistance? Livelihoods?)
He also pointed out that he has been consistently involved in charitable work for over a decade, including distributing essential goods and financial support during the pandemic.
“More than 10 years na tayong tumutulong! Daang milyon yung tinulong natin nung pandemya. Nagbibigay tayo ng tulong—Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao—sa Dear SV, sa programa namin… May binawi ba kami? Wala!”
(We provide aid—in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—through Dear SV, our program… Did we take anything back? No!)
He then turned the tables on his critics, who, he claimed, only offer minimal assistance.
“Tama na yung pamumulitika n’yo! Sa totoo lang, kayo lang ang scam e! 500 pesos—ipinapamigay n’yo? Kulang na kulang yan! Kaya nga gusto nating gawing dalawang libo!”
(Enough with your politicking! Honestly, you’re the real scam here! You give away 500 pesos? That’s not enough! That’s why we want to raise it to two thousand!)
Pushing back on online trolls, personal attacks
When asked about the online criticisms he receives, especially in comment sections of posts showing his charitable efforts, Verzosa expressed frustration with the negativity he faces, even though he uses his own funds for his philanthropic projects.
“Minsan nalulungkot ako e. Kasi taumbayan pa rin naman yon e! Parang nalulungkot ako, yung babakbakin n’yo, yung tumutulong, yung nagbibigay ng kabuhayan sa mga mahihirap…”
(Sometimes I feel sad because it’s still our fellow citizens. I feel sad that they attack the person who helps, who gives livelihoods to the poor…)
Acknowledging the personal toll that hurtful remarks can take, Verzosa called out politicians who, he claimed, hire trolls to attack his initiatives and called for more constructive criticism. Despite the attacks, he remains motivated.
“Sabihin ko nga do’n sa mga nagbabayad, yung mga kandidatong ginagastusan yung paninira sa akin, huwag n’yo po akong turuang laruin yung laro ko, dahil kaya ko pong lumaban, laki akong Sampaloc.”
(To those paying for these attacks, the candidates funding the slander against me, don’t teach me how to play my game, because I know how to fight—I grew up in Sampaloc.)
Support from Willie Revillame
Verzosa was also asked about the advice he received from his friend and co-host Willie Revillame, who recently filed his own candidacy for the Senate.
Kuya Wil, aware of Verzosa’s increasing popularity, encouraged him to stay on course.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang daw. ‘Ituloy mo lang yan, Sam. Araw-araw nakikita ng taumbayan yung paglakas mo.’ ”
(Just keep going. Keep it up, Sam. Every day, the people see you getting stronger).
Verzosa said that despite claims that his support base is fabricated, he continues to witness strong public backing.
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“Libong-libong mamamayan ang sumusuporta sa ‘kin. Kaya daw ako sinisiraan, kasi nga lumalakas. Mina-mindset nila yung taumbayan na ‘wala namang supporters’ pero hindi naman pwedeng magsinungaling yung nakita n’yo ngayon, kahapon, no’ng isang araw, libo-libong tao.
(Thousands of citizens are supporting me. They say I’m being criticized because I’m gaining strength. They’re trying to convince the public that I have ‘no supporters,’ but you can’t deny what you’ve seen today, yesterday, and the day before—thousands of people.
“Pag tinuluy-tuloy natin ‘to, alam n’yo na po mangyayari! Talagang sabik na sabik na ho sa pagbabago ang buong Maynila.”
(If we keep this going, you know what will happen! All of Manila is eager for real change.)
Platform for healthier Manilans
Verzosa’s primary platform centers on healthcare, a need he identified through his close interactions with Manila residents.
“#1 plataporma natin: yung kalusugan, kasi yan po yung binubulong sa ‘kin ng mga lolo’t lola; nanay, tatay; yung mga maysakit na hindi makapasok sa ospital…”
(#1 platform: health, because that’s what the elderly, mothers, fathers, and the sick who can’t afford hospital care whisper to me).
To address this, Verzosa has initiated projects such as SV Mobile Clinic, Serbisyo Van, and Mobile Botika, where free maintenance medicine and healthcare services are offered directly to communities.
He also stressed the importance of increasing the allowance for seniors and PWDs to ₱2,000, along with offering sustainable job programs and opportunities for single parents and job-seekers.
With his dedication and persistence, Verzosa appears determined to stay the course, advocating for a cleaner, service-focused approach to public office.
“Sa kakasira n’yo sa akin, nagiging more positive sa akin. Lalo lang akong nanggigigil tumulong.”
(With all the attacks, I become more positive. It only drives me more to help.)
Verzosa’s vision for Manila is clear: support those in need, provide meaningful solutions, and let positive action, not divisive politics, lead the way.
CinemaBravo 
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