Sam Verzosa ready to debate with rival Isko Moreno: ‘Anytime, anywhere’
Sam Verzosa (left) is ready to face rival and former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno in a debate during a recent ‘Pandesal’ news forum. (Images: HANNAH MALLORCA/INQUIRER.net, Facebook/Isko Moreno Domagoso)
Manila mayoral aspirant Sam Verzosa is ready to face his rival, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, in a debate, should the opportunity present itself for both of them to engage in an “intelligent discussion” about the current state of the country’s capital.
During the Pandesal Forum on Monday (April 14) in Quezon City, Verzosa aired the need to engage in a debate with Moreno.
He gave his reaction when asked if he is open to a showdown with the former Manila mayor.
“Kung magkakaroon man if ever ng debate, mag-o-organize ang mga group ko. Handa po tayong lumaban at sumagot. Sabi ko nga, kailangan magkaroon ng debate,” he replied.
(If ever a debate happens, my group will organize something. We’re ready to fight and give answers. As I said, there should be a debate.)
“Kailangang magkaroon ng talakayan para malaman ng mga tao kung ano ang plano ng bawat isa. Sobrang importante yan. Bukod doon sa salita, maramdaman nila kami,” he added.
(We need to have a discussion so that the people will know the plans of each candidate. That is very important. Aside from our verbal pronouncements, they will feel our presence.)
Verzosa also pointed out that some candidates tend to entice voters with “flowery words,” which underscored the need for Manileños to hear where each candidate is coming from.
“Marami ang magagaling magsalita at matatamis ang mga dila. Sasabihin lang nila yung gusto nyong marinig. Pero noong nabigyan naman sila ng pagkakataon, hindi naman nagawa,” he said.
(Many candidates are good with speaking and are sweet with words. They will only say what you want to hear. But when they were given a chance to prove themselves, they could not fulfill their promises.)
“Kaya napaka importanteng marinig at magkaroon ng debate para malaman ng mga tao kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo, tapat at naaayon sa kanilang puso at [kung] may magagandang plano para sa mga Manilenyo,” he repeated.
(That is why it is very important for the candidates to be listened to and to hold a debate so the people will know who is telling the truth, who is honest, and if the goals are aligned with their hearts, and [if] they have good plans for Manileños.)
Message to Isko
Verzosa also announced that he’s ready to face Moreno “anytime, anywhere,” as he said that it’s nothing personal between them.
“Sana huwag po kayong umatras sa isang matalinong pagdedebate. Hindi ito personalan. Ito po ay para sa kinabukasan ng mga Manilenyo,” he relayed this message to Moreno.
(I hope you won’t back out of an intelligent discussion. This is not personal. This is for the future of Manileños.)
“Ano’ng plano mo? Ano’ng kaya mong gawin? Ano’ng kaibahan mo ngayon sa dati? At masagot na lahat ng mga issue sa Maynila,” Verzosa said.
(What are your plans? What can you do? What makes you different now from before? And all the issues in Manila will already be responded to.)
“Ang request ko lang po sa kanya — sana huwag syang umurong at harapin natin ang mga Manilenyo,” he said.
(This is my only request to him — I hope he won’t back out, and let’s face the Manileños.)
According to the July 2024 to March 2025 data from OCTA Research, Laylo Research Strategies, and Social Weather Stations (SWS), Verzosa is currently in the second spot in Manila’s mayoral race.
He is closely followed by incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna.
Moreno consistently held the top spot in the surveys for the mayoral race in Manila for the 2025 elections.
In OCTA Research’s January 2025 survey, Verzosa recorded 15%.
He started with 3.7% in the October 2024 survey by Laylo Research Strategies, and he rose to 17% two months later.
SWS showed Verzosa at 17% in December 2024, and then he slightly dropped to 16% in its March 2025 survey.
