Romulo Peña Jr.

Romulo "Kid" Valderama Peña Jr. (born August 5, 1969) is a Filipino politician and the current Representative[1] of the 1st District of Makati City in the Philippine House of Representatives. He previously served as Makati City Acting Mayor from 2015 to 2016 after the office of Ombudsman of the Philippines dismissed Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay, Jr. over contract irregularities related to the construction of Makati City Science High School.[2] Prior to that, he served as Vice-Mayor of Makati City from 2010 to 2015.[3]

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Valderama and the surname or paternal family name is Peña.
Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr.
Member of the House of Representatives from 1st District of Makati
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Preceded byMonsour del Rosario
Mayor of Makati
Acting
In office
July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
Vice MayorVirgilio Hilario Sr. (acting)
Leonardo Magpantay (acting)
Preceded byJejomar Binay Jr.
Succeeded byAbigail Binay
Vice Mayor of Makati
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 29, 2015
Preceded byErnesto Mercado
Succeeded byVirgilio Hilario Sr. (acting)
President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), Makati
In office
2007–2010
Barangay Captain of Valenzuela, Makati
In office
2005–2010
Member of the Sangunniang Barangay of Valenzuela, Makati
In office
2002–2005
In office
1994–1997
Personal details
Born
Romulo Valderama Peña Jr.

(1969-08-05) August 5, 1969
Manila, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Political partyLiberal Party
ResidenceBarangay Valenzuela, Makati, Philippines
EducationDe La Salle University
Adamson University

Personal life

Romulo Peña Jr. was once a service crew member, rider, and manager for several fast food restaurants. His humble beginnings among the streets and masses have been attributed to his success and relevance in the local politics of Makati City.[4]

He is an avid motorcycle rider and the founder of a community-based group named "Tropang Kid".[5] Since its formation in 1994, the riding club has established itself as a growing organization in Makati City composed of volunteers who travel around in motorbikes as companions of the District Representative and as social service carriers.

He graduated from Adamson University with the degree of Political Science.

Political career

He started his career in politics when he volunteered as a youth leader before being elected as Councilor and Chairman of Barangay Valenzuela, Makati City. He later became President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), a Sectoral Representative in the City Council, from 2007 to 2010.[6][7]

In the May 2010 elections, he was elected as vice-mayor where he ran as an independent candidate and the running mate of outgoing Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado. He was re-elected in 2013 under the Liberal Party (LP).

Peña was sworn in as acting mayor of Makati City at the old city hall building after the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay Jr. and 14 individuals over irregularities on building contracts.[8] He became the first city mayor of Makati who not affliated with the Binay family since 1986 and its cityhood in 1995. However, he lost the 2016 election to Abigail Binay.

In the 2019 Philippine midterm mlections, Peña made a successful political comeback, defeating former Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay in a close race[9] for a congressional seat in the 1st district of Makati.

References
  1. "House of Representatives". congress.gov.ph. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  2. Brizuela, Maricar B. "Junjun Binay and Kid Peña: A tale of 2 Makati City mayors". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  3. Jr, Reynaldo Santos. "FAST FACTS: Acting Makati City mayor Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  4. Inquirer, Philippine Daily. "In the Know: Who is Kid Peña?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  5. "Squad goals: Kid Peña and his 'Tropang Kid'". Politiko Metro Manila. March 23, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  6. "Hon. Romulo V. Peña Jr". Makati City Government. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  7. Cepeda, Mara. "Kid Peña: 'I am ready to run for Makati mayor'". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  8. Francisco, Katerina. "For the 2nd time, Kid Peña sworn in as acting mayor". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  9. Cupin, Bea. "Jejomar Binay loses congressional bid in Makati". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
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