Tutok To Win Party-list Representative Sam Verzosa voiced serious concerns about Manila’s alleged Php18 billion debt during a rice distribution event held on October 19 at Barrio Obrero Elementary School.
The outreach event, which included entertainment from comedian Boobsie Wonderland and other performers, provided rice, lugaw, and water to residents while Verzosa took the opportunity to address pressing financial issues facing the city.
In a brief speech, Verzosa discussed the significant debt reportedly accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. He revealed that it could take up to 20 years for Manila to repay the loans, a burden he believes will affect future generations.
“Grabe po e. Almost Php18B ang inutang nila ibinaon nila sa utang ang Manilenyo. Alam n’yo kinompute na yan? Halos 20 years daw ‘yan bago mabayaran. Aabutin ang pera nitong mga kabataang ito (pointing to small kids). 20 years,” Verzosa said, pointing to kids present at the event.
Verzosa also claimed that several of Manila’s key properties were sold, including Divisoria, public markets, courts, fire stations, and the City Colleges of Manila, questioning where the proceeds from these sales went. “Hindi lang yun. Hindi pa sila nakontento sa inutang nila. Ibineneta pa nila yung mga ari-arian ng Manila. Divisoria, market, court, fire station, City Colleges of Manila. Halos lahat ng ari-arian. Para saan? Ilang billion ho ‘yan. San ginamit? Saan napunta?” he asked.
The congressman criticized how the alleged funds were distributed during the pandemic, suggesting that each Manileño should have received significant financial aid, given the size of the debt. “Ang sinasabi, ibinigay daw na ayudan noong pandemya. Kung idi-divide mo ‘yan, dapat ‘yan hundreds of thousands per tao sa isang Manilenyo. Kaso wala namang natanggap e. Binola po tayo sa iilang ayuda na kahit kami naman ibinigay din namin. Andaming namigay ng ayuda ng pandemya,” he stated.
Verzosa further criticized the sale of Divisoria, which had been promised for redevelopment. “Pero ngayon na pinalalabas nila, ‘yung 18 billion ng inutang, pati ‘yung ibinentang mga patrimonial assets, lalo na ‘yung Divisoria na dapat kumikita at pinangako nilang pagagandahin, ibinenta. Hindi sinabi sa taong bayan, itinago. Ngayon, lahat tayo nagulat na lang. Ngayon ano na gagawin natin?” he asked.
These comments come as Verzosa prepares to challenge former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and current Mayor Honey Lacuna in the 2025 mayoral election. He called out the former administration for mishandling city finances, stating, “Walang-wala na tayong mga properties sa Manila. Ibebenta pati raw yung clock tower para daw hindi magutom, pinagtatakpan nila doon. Pero totoo lang, hindi naman natanggap ng mga mamamayan. Totoo lang po ah, minsan kasi inuuto nila, ‘yung parang perspective na, ‘Hindi pa kayo nabigyan ng ayuda? Doon po napunta ‘yung inutang ng 18 billion dahil pati mga ibinentang assets?’ Kalukohan po ‘yun.”
Verzosa contrasted Manila’s financial decisions with those of other cities, pointing out that Quezon City, Makati, and Pasig did not resort to borrowing or selling assets. “Kung alam niyo po, sa buong Pilipinas, Manila lang ang umutang at nagbenta ng mga ariarian. Ang Quezon City, never umutang. Ang Makati, never nagbenta ng ariarian, never umutang. ‘Yung Pasig City, kina Mayor Vico, na napakatinong Mayo. Siyempre matatalino sila. Bakit ko ibibenta ang ariarian, hindi sila nagbenta, hindi sila nangutang,” he noted.
Several residents from various barangays in Manila echoed Verzosa’s concerns, stating that the aid they received during the pandemic seemed far less than what would justify the city’s alleged Php18 billion debt. Verzosa has called on the previous administration to answer for the missing funds and the sale of Manila’s patrimonial assets.
Verzosa, who filed his certificate of candidacy for Manila mayor on October 6, shared his vision for the city, emphasizing financial responsibility. “Anong gagawin ko kapag magaling kang Mayor? Magre-reallocate ka lang ng pondo ‘yung dapat para dito sa project na ito, ilagay mo sa ayuda. Gano’n lang kasimple ‘yun. Ngayon hindi ko alam kung bakit ibinaon nila na sobra-sobra sa utang. Ngayon sila ba mababayad doon? Hindi. Mga taong bayan, mahirap na nga, lalo pa naghihirap,” he said.
In addition to his mayoral bid, Verzosa has been actively engaged in community outreach efforts. He recently donated 17 multi-purpose ‘Serbisyo Vans’ to different areas in Sampaloc, aimed at supporting emergency services and civic work. He also launched SV Mobile Clinics, equipped with advanced medical equipment such as X-ray and ultrasound machines, to provide better healthcare services to the community.
