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| Sam Verzosa |
What has Sam Verzosa done as congressman?
This is the question often thrown at "Dear SV" host by critics who obviously want to diminish the strides he has been making as his standing improves increasingly in several surveys as one most likely to win the mayoralty race in the city of Manila.
So...ano nga ba?
"Wala pa po akong tatlong taon sa Kongreso pero 257 bills na po ang naipasa ko. Out of those ay 21 na po ang naging batas. At may 165 bills na nasa third reading na at malapit ng maging batas," he said in an interview.
Among the successful ones relate to the establishment of regional specialty center in Department of Health hospitals; the No exam-No permit prohibition act for students; and the Expanded Centenarian Act that allows senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90 and 95 to receive 10,000 pesos.
Should he win his race, Sam wants to up the monthly allowance of senior citizens in Manila from 500 pesos to 2000 pesos. He also plans to let them avail light work in certain establishments so they would continue being productive and earn a living.
We asked Sam why he doesn't mention these achievements in his campaign speeches. He explained that since people's attention span is limited, he'd rather give talk to inspire them about the future, rather than rattle away about things that are part of his job anyway.
At the time of interview, Sam and girlfriend Rhian Ramos had just returned from New York City where they finished a 42 km.-long marathon. It meant walking and running for seven hours but Sam had no qualms doing it under the Smile Train banner.
Yes, he and Rhian ran to raise funds for the organization that bankrolls surgery for people with cleft palate.
"Noong ika-30th km. parang bumibigay na kami ni Rhian," he said, smiling. "Hindi naman kasi kami halos nakapag-training before we left dahil nga araw-araw kong sinusuyod ang Maynila..."
He added: "But just thinking of those who needed the surgery gave us the strength and will to finish the marathon."
To give an idea how far the stretch of 42 kms. goes, it's like walking from Manila all the way to Pampanga!
Back in the Philippines, it's back to the business of giving hope to people as usual for Sam, dubbed endearingly by his supporters as "Oppa ng Maynila."
"Ramdam ko ang init ng pagtanggap sa kin ng mga tao; di lang sa surveys kundi on the ground. Sinasabi nila sa kin 'Ikaw ang pagasa namin,'" Sam said.
Aside from his knowledge and skills in building business empires, and his degree in Civil Engineering which he can use for cost-effective infrastructure projects, what sets this guy apart is "heart."
"Madaming magagaling at matalino," he said. "Pero kailangan din kasi may puso para sa mahihirap, puso na hindi mangaabuso ng kapangyarihan, at puso na tratuhin ang lahat ng tama."
Some people say his bid to win the mayoralty race in Manila against more established politicians is akin to a David-versus-Goliath showdown.
Told so, Sam simply smiled.
"Gusto ko yung ending ng David vs Goliath."
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