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Sam Verzosa

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Salonga and the surname or paternal family name is Verzosa.
Sam Verzosa
Verzosa in 2023
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Tutok To Win
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2022
Preceded byPost established
ConstituencyParty-list
Personal details
Born
Samuel Salonga Verzosa Jr.

(1982-09-12) September 12, 1982 (age 42)
Manila, Philippines
Political partyTutok To Win
Domestic partnerRhian Ramos (since 2022)
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Diliman (BS)
OccupationBusinessman

Samuel Salonga Verzosa Jr.[1][2] (born September 12, 1982) is a Filipino businessman who is known for being the co-founder of the multi-level marketing company, Frontrow. He is also serving as the representative of the Tutok To Win Party-List in the House of Representatives since 2022.

Early life and education

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Samuel Verzosa Jr. was born in September 12 1982 in Manila.[1][3][4] He is the eldest son of five siblings and spent his childhood growing up in Sampaloc. He attended Angelicum College for his elementary and high school studies, and he took up bachelor's degree in civil engineering when he entered the University of the Philippines Diliman.[5]

Career

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Business career

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Verzosa learned about the direct selling and multi-level marketing (MLM) industries while he was preparing for his engineering board examinations. He joined a direct-selling company, where he met RS Francisco. When the company closed, the two decided to establish Frontrow International in 2009.[5][6] Frontrow also maintains the E-Skwela program, where the MLM provides Internet and printing hubs for school use in far-flung areas as part of its corporate social responsibility. Frontrow has partnered with the Ang Probinsyano Partylist for this program's implementation.[7][8][9]

The business however has been hounded by controversies. For instance, a disgruntled former member reached out to Aksyon sa Radyo program of Raffy Tulfo accused Verzosa and his business partner of scamming him.[10][11]

Frontrow also sponsored Willie Revillame's Tutok to Win program. Revillame is a close friend of Verzosa.[12][13] Frontrow is also a partner of the Miss Universe Organization.[14]

Verzosa also manages the Modena Motorsports company, which distributes Maserati cars in the Philippines.[15][16][17] He is also a part-owner of the Manila Batang Sampaloc basketball team.

Political career

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Verzosa speaks at the third meeting of the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation in 2023.

Verzosa was named as the first nominee of the Tutok To Win Party-List for the 2022 elections.[18][19] The organization managed to win a seat.

As a House representative for the 19th Congress, Verzosa became vice chairman of the Poverty Alleviation, Socual Services, Welfare of Children, and Disaster Resilience committees.[20] Among his bills filed are the Poor Job Applicants Discount Act, which seeks to provide a 20 percent discount to government-issued pre-employment documents for indigent jobseekers,[21] and the E-Skwela Act which aims to institutionalize Frontrow's E-Skwela program under the government.[22]

In October 2024, Verzosa filed his candidacy to run for Mayor of Manila in 2025 as an independent candidate.[23]According to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) opinion polling for October 27 to 31, 2024, Verzosa places second to third per district behind former mayor Isko Moreno. The other rival is incumbent mayor Honey Lacuna who still outbest Verzosa in some districts.[24]

Television

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Verzosa is the presenter of the public service series Dear SV which features stories from various Filipino individuals. Its pilot episode aired in February 2023 in CNN Philippines.[25] The series returned in GMA Network premiering on November 18, 2023.[26]

Following Revillame's return to television via TV5, he became a co-host of Wil To Win.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Verzosa has actress Rhian Ramos as his girlfriend. He first publicized his relationship with Ramos in August 2022.[27][28]

Libel case against Star Elamparo

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In November 2024, Verzosa filed a libel case with the Manila City Prosecutor's Office against Daily Tribune columnist Estrella "Star" C. Elamparo for alleged fake news publication ("Celebrities and cheating at NYCM?") implying that he and Ramos cheated in their participation at the New York City Marathon. She also faces a Cebu City arrest warrant for a separate defamation case.[29]

In her original column, Elamparo -- drawing on publicly available records, reports, and her contacts in the running community -- pointed out alleged discrepancies without making any direct accusations of misconduct on Verzosa's behalf. She has further clarified her position with caveats in a follow-up column.[30] She clarified that she did not outright claim the couple cheated and "only raised the possibility" of such[31]

The current status of Verzosa's complaint remains unclean. Meanwhile, an earlier cyber libel charge against Ellamparo – related to her earlier legal obligations as a leading litigator and former prosecutor - has already been dismissed by the Department of Justice for lack of merit. According to a resolution by the Department of Justice (NPS Docket No. VII-INV- 23E-01311 P.5, Pa III, dated Nov 28, 2024): "the most important element of libel or cyberlibel, which is the existence of malice, was not estsabished..." [32][33][34]

Awards and nominations

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In November 2024, Verzosa received the Gusi Peace Prize at the Manila Metropolitan Theater. He is noted for being the youngest Filipino to be given the award. The organizers recognized for his philanthropy.[35]

The Gusi award, however, has come under scrutiny, since its founder, Barry Gusi, has been accused of being an impostor. According to a GMA News report, the award's founder "should be held liable for violating Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines under "Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions," which penalizes individuals posing as government officials, officers, or representatives. If the DFA pursues the case and Gusi is found guilty, he may get between six months and one day to four years and two months in jail." [36]

References

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  1. ^ a b Verzosa, Sam (September 30, 2024). "Certificate of Candidacy for Mayor" (PDF). Commission on Election. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "House Members: Hon. Verzosa, Samuel Jr. S." House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Bravo, Frances Karmel (September 13, 2022). "Rhian Ramos greets her "booboo" Sam Verzosa on his birthday". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved October 30, 2022. On September 12, 2022, the Kapuso actress greeted Sam on his birthday by uploading a photo of them getting cozy by the patio.
  4. ^ "James Reid, Nadine Lustre, celebrities flock to P7M party of entrepreneur Sam Verzosa". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. September 19, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2022. Sam (right) celebrated his 30th birthday last Saturday, September 16
  5. ^ a b "Sam Verzosa, the boy wonder of Sampaloc, Manila". CNN Philippines. February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  6. ^ Puyat, Leah. "Frontrow Founders RS Francisco And Sam Verzosa Believe That, Indeed, Sharing Is Caring". Metro.style. ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  7. ^ "'Tutok' party-list representative vows to build more 'e-schools' in PH". Manila Bulletin. November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  8. ^ Pacpaco, Ryan Ponce (October 31, 2020). "11 Frontrow E-skwela Hubs Opened". Journal Online. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  9. ^ "First e-Eskwela hub rolled out in Baguio". Sunstar. August 25, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  10. ^ "Scandal brewing: Frontrow endorser runs to Tulfo because owners RS Francisco, Sam Verzosa refuse to release his money". Bilyonaryo. March 5, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  11. ^ "Ano na Frontrow millionaires? SEC says Verzosa, Francisco can't recruit members to sell Luxxe whitening, slimming goods – Tulfo". Bilyonario. March 6, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  12. ^ PEP Troika. "Willie Revillame, magkahalo ang emosyon sa paglisan sa GMA-7". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Solis, Lolit. "Willie, puring-puri ng CEO Frontrow" [Willie, high praises for Frontrow CEO]. The Philippine Star (in Filipino). Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  14. ^ Lo, Ricky. "The other half of Frontrow". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  15. ^ "Motostrada expands by handing over 'Trident' and adding new 'Horseman' to its growing business". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 15, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  16. ^ Ipapo-Tuason, Jeanette (April 7, 2021). "New Era: Sam Verzosa Takes His Passionate Leadership To Maserati Philippines". Lifestyle Asia. One Mega Group. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  17. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (March 5, 2020). "Frontrow International, naglabas ng statement sa reklamo ng dating miyembro". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  18. ^ Gutierrez, Dennis (May 8, 2022). "Big crowds flock Tutok to Win Partylist rally in Batasan". Philippine Daily Inquirer (in English and Filipino). Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  19. ^ Villaruel, Jauhn Etienne (October 7, 2021). "Businessman seeks House seat to represent 'underprivileged'". ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  20. ^ Godinez, Bong; Orsal, Noel (October 10, 2022). "Humble beginnings push businessman-politician Sam Verzosa to focus on reducing poverty". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  21. ^ Gutierrez, Dennis (September 23, 2022). "Rep. Verzosa wants 20% discount on gov't documents for poor job seekers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  22. ^ Gutierrez, Dennis (September 16, 2022). "Tutok To Win party-list wants establishment of E-Skwela hubs nationwide". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  23. ^ Escuadro, Kiko (October 6, 2024). "Sam Verzosa formalizes Manila mayoralty bid". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "Isko landslide sa Maynila - SWS survey". Philippine Star. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  25. ^ Bracamonte, Earl D. C. (March 6, 2023). "Entrepreneur solon shares rags-to-riches story as outreach TV program premieres". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  26. ^ Jusay, Annalyn (November 22, 2023). "'Dear SV': Sam Verzosa joins girlfriend Rhian Ramos in GMA Network". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  27. ^ Siazon, Rachelle (August 2, 2022). "Rhian Ramos makes relationship with Sam Verzosa public". PEP.ph (in English and Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  28. ^ "Rhian Ramos, Sam Verzosa go public with romance". ABS-CBN News. August 3, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  29. ^ Ranara, John (November 20, 2024). "Sam Verzosa files cyber libel case against columnist". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  30. ^ ""Clearing the Air"". The Daily Tribune. November 16, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  31. ^ Elamparo, Star (November 16, 2024). "Clearing the Air". The Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  32. ^ "Sam Verzosa files Cyber Libel case against columnist over alleged cheating claims at NYC Marathon". msn.com. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  33. ^ [blob: 2024-12-09_01311 (Lloyd Chu) Resolution 28 November 2024.pdf "Department of Justice Resolution"] (PDF). The Department of Justice. Retrieved December 6, 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  34. ^ "Cyber libel trial against lawyer in P200-million estafa case reset". MYTV.PH. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  35. ^ "Rep. Sam Verzosa honored with Gusi Peace Prize International Award". msn.com. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  36. ^ "Head of "Gusi Peace Prize" under fire for claiming to be PH envoy; DFA denies ever appointing him". Spot.ph. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
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