How a 6'5" former basketball star ended a half-century political dynasty in San Juan

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before becoming a prominent mayor, Francis Zamora was a standout athlete who captained championship teams. His transition from the basketball court to the political arena culminated in a historic 2019 victory, dismantling a local power structure that had dominated San Juan city governance for five decades.

Born in 1977, Francis Zamora initially made his mark as a center on the basketball court. Standing at 6'5", he captained the De La Salle Green Archers to back-to-back UAAP titles in 1998 and 1999. His athletic career included stints in the Philippine Basketball League and a 2001 draft selection by the Sta. Lucia Realtors, though he retired from professional play in 2002 to pivot toward public service and business.

Zamora’s political ascent began in 2007 as a council member, followed by a six-year tenure as vice mayor starting in 2010. His path to the mayoralty was not immediate; he suffered a narrow defeat in 2016 against incumbent Guia Gomez. This loss set the stage for a high-stakes 2019 contest against Janella Ejercito, a member of the influential Ejercito-Estrada family. By securing a victory with a margin of 10,247 votes, Zamora effectively concluded the family's 50-year hold on San Juan's leadership.

Since his 2019 win, Zamora has consolidated his influence through multiple leadership roles. He secured reelection in 2022 and 2025, while also taking on significant regional and national responsibilities. In 2022, he became president of the Metro Manila Council, and in August 2025, he assumed the presidency of the League of Cities of the Philippines. Beyond his political duties, he maintains a business presence as a franchise owner of a bakeshop in Greenhills, balancing his administrative career with his private ventures.

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