Kid Peña

Kid Peña
Vice Mayor of Makati
Assumed office
June 30, 2025
MayorNancy Binay
Preceded byMonique Lagdameo
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2015
MayorJunjun Binay
Preceded byErnesto Mercado
Succeeded byVirgilio Hilario Sr. (acting)
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Makati's 1st District
In office
June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2025
Preceded byMonsour del Rosario
Succeeded byMonique Lagdameo
Acting Mayor of Makati
In office
June 30, 2015 – June 30, 2016
Vice MayorVirgilio Hilario Sr. (acting)
Leonardo Magpantay (acting)
Preceded byJunjun Binay
Succeeded byAbby Binay
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
Makati, Rizal, Philippines[1]
Political partyNPC (2024–present)
MKTZNU (2021–present)
Other political
affiliations
Liberal (2012–24)
Independent (2009–12)
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 politician who is the vice mayor of Makati. He previously held the position from 2010 to 2015 under the mayoralty of Jejomar Binay Jr., which ended with Peña as acting mayor from 2015 to 2016 following Binay's dismissal over contract irregularities related to the construction of Makati Science High School.[2]

Peña has served as the representative for Makati's first district since 2019 and previously served as a barangay kagawad and captain of Barangay Valenzuela.[3]

Personal life

Romulo Peña Jr. was once a service crew member, rider, and manager for several fast food restaurants.[4]

He is a motorcycle rider and the founder of a community-based riding club named "Tropang Kid".[5] 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.[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 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 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[9] 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 ran 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 ran for mayor, intending to succeed his wife Abigail, who is term-limited. With Peña winning the election as Vice-Mayor of Makati, he succeeds Monique Lagdameo, who in turn was elected as the representative of the first district of Makati, effectively swapping positions with each other.

  • Media related to Kid Peña at Wikimedia Commons

References

  1. ^ "Peña, Romulo Jr. Valderama" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Santos, Reynaldo Jr. (March 19, 2015). "FAST FACTS: Acting Makati City mayor Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "In the Know: Who is Kid Peña?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 17, 2015. 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 (August 5, 2015). "Kid Peña: 'I am ready to run for Makati mayor'". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  8. ^ Francisco, Katerina (June 30, 2015). "For the 2nd time, Kid Peña sworn in as acting mayor". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  9. ^ Cupin, Bea (May 14, 2019). "Jejomar Binay loses congressional bid in Makati". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.