In 2016, then vice-mayor Francis Zamora lost by a hair against Guia Gomez of the Estrada-Ejercito clan. Promising his constituents that he’d end a 50-year long dynasty in San Juan, Mayor Zamora finally came through three years later. Just a year into office, and the young first-time mayor finds himself in the heart of the biggest pandemic of the 21st century. 

Although new to the mayoralty post, Zamora is a veteran in grassroots public service, one tailor-made for the citizens of San Juan. Through projects like free online learning tools, accessible healthcare, and efficient vaccination rollouts, Mayor Zamora broke through the hurdles of the pandemic, achieving an outstanding 97 per cent drop rate in cases in November 2021.

With the next elections already on the horizon, the mayor has only just started to show this new brand of service to the people of San Juan, one characterized by efficiency and compassion.