Kid Peña

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Valderama and the surname or paternal family name is Peña.
The Honorable
Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr.
Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
from Makati's 1st District
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Preceded byMonsour del Rosario
Mayor of Makati
Acting
In office
June 30, 2015 – June 30, 2016
Vice MayorVirgilio Hilario Sr. (acting)
Leonardo Magpantay (acting)
Preceded byJunjun Binay
Succeeded byAbigail Binay
Vice Mayor of Makati
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2015
MayorJunjun Binay
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 Sangguniang 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 (age 55)
Makati, Rizal, Philippines[1]
Political partyNPC (2024–present)
Makatizens United Party (2021–present)
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (2012–2024)
Independent (2009–2012)
SpouseMa. Priscela Caasi
Parents
  • Romulo O. Peña Sr. (father)
  • Vilma Valderama-Peña (mother)
Residence(s)Valenzuela, Makati, Philippines
Alma materAdamson University (AB)
De La Salle University (BEc)

Romulo "Kid" Valderama Peña Jr. (born August 5, 1969) is a Filipino businessman and politician and the current Representative[2] of the 1st District of Makati in the Philippine House of Representatives. He previously served as acting Makati 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 Science High School.[3] Prior to that, he served as Vice Mayor of Makati from 2010 to 2015 and a barangay kagawad and captain of Barangay Valenzuela.[4]

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.[5]

He is an avid motorcycle rider and the founder of a community-based group named "Tropang Kid".[6] Since its formation in 1994, the riding club has established itself as a growing organization in Makati 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 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1990, as well as a degree holder of Economics from De La Salle University.

Political career

Peña started his career in politics when he volunteered as a youth leader before being elected as Councilor and Chairman of Barangay Valenzuela, Makati. He later became President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), a Sectoral Representative in the City Council, from 2007 to 2010.[7][8]

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 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.[9] He became the first city mayor of Makati not affiliated with the Binay family since 1986 and its cityhood in 1995. However, he lost the 2016 election to 2nd district representative Abigail Binay.

In the 2019 Philippine midterm elections, Peña made a successful political comeback, defeating former Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay in a close race[10] for a congressional seat in the 1st district of Makati. He was re-elected in 2022, this time under the ticket of incumbent Mayor Abigail Binay.

Peña will run for vice mayor of Makati in 2025, this time under the Nationalist People's Coalition, as the running mate of fellow Makati representative Luis Campos, who is running for mayor. Campos aims to succeed his wife Abigail, who is term-limited. Peña and incumbent vice mayor Monique Lagdameo will effectively swap positions they once held.[11]

  • Media related to Kid Peña at Wikimedia Commons

References

  1. ^ "Peña, Romulo Jr. Valderama" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "House of Representatives". congress.gov.ph. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  3. ^ Brizuela, Maricar B. (March 24, 2015). "Junjun Binay and Kid Peña: A tale of 2 Makati City mayors". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Santos, Reynaldo Jr. "FAST FACTS: Acting Makati City mayor Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  5. ^ "In the Know: Who is Kid Peña?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Squad goals: Kid Peña and his 'Tropang Kid'". Politiko Metro Manila. March 23, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "Hon. Romulo V. Peña Jr". Makati City Government. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  8. ^ Cepeda, Mara (August 5, 2015). "Kid Peña: 'I am ready to run for Makati mayor'". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  9. ^ Francisco, Katerina (June 30, 2015). "For the 2nd time, Kid Peña sworn in as acting mayor". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  10. ^ Cupin, Bea (May 14, 2019). "Jejomar Binay loses congressional bid in Makati". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Cuadra, Addie (October 5, 2024). "Luis Campos files candidacy for Makati mayor". ABS-CBN News.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Makati
Acting
2015–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Ernesto Mercado
 Vice Mayor of Makati
2010–2015 		Succeeded by
Virgilio Hilario Sr.
Acting
House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives
from Makati's 1st district
2019–present 		Incumbent