Sam Verzosa
Businessman and politician (born 1982) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Sam Verzosa | |
|---|---|
Verzosa in 2023 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Tutok To Win | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Post established |
| Constituency | Party-list |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Samuel Salonga Verzosa Jr. September 12, 1982 Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | Tutok To Win |
| Domestic partner | Rhian Ramos (since 2022) |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (BS) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Early life and education
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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Perspective
Business career
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] Among the products Frontrow sells is Luxxe White, a line of glutathione supplement which it considers as its flagship.[10][11]
The business however has been hounded by controversies. For instance, a disgruntled former member reached out to Wanted sa Radyo program, which is hosted by Raffy Tulfo, accused Verzosa and his business partner of scamming him.[12][13]
Frontrow also sponsored Willie Revillame's Tutok to Win program. Revillame is a close friend of Verzosa's.[14][15] Frontrow is also a partner of the Miss Universe Organization.[16]
Verzosa also manages the Modena Motorsports company, which distributes Maserati cars in the Philippines.[17][18][19] He is also a part-owner of the Manila Batang Sampaloc basketball team.
Political career
Verzosa was named as the first nominee of the Tutok To Win Party-List for the 2022 elections.[20][21] 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.[22] 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,[23] and the E-Skwela Act which aims to institutionalize Frontrow's E-Skwela program under the government.[24]
In October 2024, Verzosa filed his candidacy to run for Mayor of Manila in 2025 as an independent candidate.[25] 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.[26]
Assuming they retain at least one seat in 2025, Tutok to Win is set to replace Verzosa with one of their nominees, seven of whom are his relatives.[27]
On April 24, 2025, Verzosa was among the local candidates to be issued show cause orders by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Kontra Bigay committee over alleged vote buying activities surrounding their campaign.[28]
Television
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 on CNN Philippines.[29] The series returned on GMA Network premiering on November 18, 2023.[30]
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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Perspective
Verzosa has actress Rhian Ramos as his girlfriend. He first publicized his relationship with Ramos in August 2022.[31][32]
Libel case against Star Elamparo
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.[33]
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.[34] She clarified that she did not outright claim the couple cheated and "only raised the possibility" of such[35]
The current status of Verzosa's complaint remains unclean. Meanwhile, an earlier cyber libel charge against Ellamparo – has already been dismissed by the Department of Justice for lack of merit. The Office of the City Prosecutor in January 2025, dismissed the cyberlibel case against Ellamparo stating that malice was not established.[36][37]
Awards and nominations
In November 2024, Verzosa received the Gusi Peace Prize at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, with the organizers citing his philanthropy. He is the youngest Filipino to be given the award. The organizers recognized for his philanthropy.[38]
References
External links
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