After putting to rest the rumors linking his only daughter Amanda to actor Daniel Padilla in a previous interview, San Juan City mayor Francis Zamora said he is happy with his friendship with DJ, who is also one of his business partners as well. 

“Actually, kami ni Daniel Padilla meron na kaming business since 2017 pa, yung District 8. Up to now, kami ay mag-partners naman doon kasama sina Vice Ganda, si James Yap, si Marc Pingris, si Paul Artadi, si Chef Kel Zaguirre. For many years we’ve been together. In fact, last month ako rin ang nagkasal kay JC (Padilla, DJ’s younger brother), yung anak ni Karla (Estrada). So matagal na rin kaming magkakaibigan at si Daniel naman ay kaibigan nating matalik so kung sakaling magdesisyon siyang magbukas ng negosyo dito, aside from District 8, of course welcome na welcome yun,” he shared during the grand launch event of CHARM By DR. JOEL LOPEZ MD inside Greenhills Shopping Mall last July 31. 

READ: Francis Zamora denies Daniel Padilla is dating his daughter Amanda: ‘Wala pong katotohanan yan’

During his interview with the press, Francis also shared how he felt when he first heard the rumors and how he and his daughter have discussed the issue.

“We all know naman na hindi talaga totoo yan so kumbaga, nag-smile na lang kami kasi bahagi naman yan ng, kunwari ako sa pulitika, bahagi ng buhay namin ang intriga. Ganun din siyempre sa showbiz. Bahagi talaga ng buhay yan. Although she is not active in showbiz anymore compared to before, yung ganyang mga intrigue kasi bahagi na ng buhay namin yan eh so gina-guide ko lang siya.

"Sinabi ko na hindi natin ma-ko-control yung mga sinasabi at iniisip mismo ng mga tao. Alam kasi namin na hindi naman yun totoo. Ako as a father of course, I know my daughter and I know it’s not true. In fact I was surprised you asked it kasi nakikita ko rin yung mga comments. Umaabot di naman sa akin kasi siyempre yung mga taong mga nagmamahal sa atin ay nagsasabi rin na may ganitong mga comments,” he added. 

READ: Amanda Zamora, EA de Guzman at iba pang influencers, spotted sa Halloween Party | PUSH TV

Francis’s daughter Amanda had a short stint in showbiz and she started off as a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Connect in 2020. Unlike her father, Francis said Amanda has not expressed any plans to follow in his footsteps in politics.

“Mas gusto niya talaga pumasok sa field of marketing. Yung pagpasok niya noon sa showbiz ay bagay na ginusto niya. Hindi namin siya pinilit or anything. Ginusto niya talaga yun. After ng Pinoy Big Brother niya, siya ay nagkaroon ng movie na Connected kasama yung kapwa PBB celebrities na kasama niya sa Bahay ni Kuya. 

"She remains to be under Star Magic. Meron naman siyang contract sa Star Magic. In fact, kami ni direk Lauren (Dyogi) madalas nag-uusap din at ng management niya. Medyo showbiz father din ako paminsa, minsan kasi I also want to guide my daughter. So siyempre kung ano man ang kontrata na pinapasok niya with Star Magic, I always get to review it,” he admitted. 

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Padilla looks back on his 13-year showbiz career: ‘Nakakapagod din’

Last month, Francis also made the headlines when an incident went viral during San Juan City’s Wattah Wattah Festival which had a man dubbed as “Boy Dila” (real name Lexter Castro) use a water gun to douse a motorcycle rider while sticking his tongue out. The man recently went to the Mayor’s Office in San Juan City Hall after the incident. 

“Actually, si Boy Dila ay nag-public apology na. Yan naman ay nangyari many weeks ago at inamin naman niya na mali ang ginawa niya. Nag-sorry na siya sa publiko at yung mismong taong binasa niya ng water gun ay nakapag-sorry na siya ng personal at yan po ay bagay na inayos natin na makadalaw dun kay manong rider na binasa niya. Dumalaw siya sa aking opisina na nandun din si Lexter Castro na tinaguriang Boy Dila at nakapag-sorry siya ng personal at naghandog din siya ng helmet at kapote at nag-sorry siya hindi lang kay manong rider ngunit sa publiko dahil nga sa mga ginawa niyang aksiyon na nakasira sa aming lungsod, nakasira sa aming kapistahan. Ngunit inaamin naman niya at natuto naman siya ng leksiyon. Ang leksiyon na maging mapagkumbaba, umamin kapag merong maling nagawa, at ang pinakamahalaga ay magbago,” Francis explained.