No early count in Manila; Verzosa not leading race

A Facebook group supporting Manila mayoral candidate Sam Verzosa falsely reported he was already leading the race on election day even before polling closed.

The post, made at 3:49 p.m. on election day by the Facebook group “SAM SV VERZOSA SV Manila Mayor 2025,” falsely claimed that early counting was taking place due to high voter turnout:

MAAGANG NAGBIBILANGAN DITO DAHIL MARAMI NA AGAD BOTANTE ANG BUMOTO AT LAMANG NA LAMANG ANG ATING MAYOR SV!SALAMAT PO PANGINOON (The vote counting here has started early because many voters have already cast their votes, and our mayor SV is in a significant lead! Thank you Lord)!

It also erroneously claimed Verzosa was ahead by 1,871 votes over former Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno, with incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna trailing last. 

This is not possible under Philippine election rules. Vote counting begins only after voting has officially ended and must be conducted publicly at the polling place by the board of election inspectors, according to Section 206, Article XVIII of the Omnibus Election Code.

Senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women were allowed early voting, from 5 to 7 a.m., while regular voting period runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

The Facebook group has over 3,000 members. (MAE, JAG)