Kid Peña Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honorable
Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr.
Office:Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
from Makati's 1st District
Term Start:June 30, 2019
Predecessor:Monsour del Rosario
Office2:Mayor of Makati
Status2:Acting
Term Start2:June 30, 2015
Term End2:June 30, 2016
1Namedata2:Virgilio Hilario Sr. (acting)
Leonardo Magpantay (acting)
Predecessor2:Junjun Binay
Successor2:Abigail Binay
Office3:Vice Mayor of Makati
Term Start3:June 30, 2010
Term End3:June 30, 2015
Predecessor3:Ernesto Mercado
Successor3:Virgilio Hilario Sr.
1Namedata3:Junjun Binay
Office4:President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), Makati
Term Start4:2007
Term End4:2010
Office5:Barangay Captain of Valenzuela, Makati
Term Start5:2005
Term End5:2010
Office6:Member of the Sangguniang Barangay of Valenzuela, Makati
Term Start6:2002
Term End6:2005
Term Start7:1994
Term End7:1997
Birth Name:Romulo Valderama Peña Jr.
Birth Date:August 5, 1969
Birth Place:Manila, Philippines
Nationality:Filipino
Residence:Valenzuela, Makati, Philippines
Party:Liberal (2012 - present)
Otherparty:Independent (2009–2012)
Alma Mater:Adamson University (AB)
De La Salle University (BEc)
Parents:Romulo O. Peña Sr. (1936-2006)
Vilma Valderama-Peña (1936-2005)

Romulo "Kid" Valderama Peña Jr. (born August 5, 1969) is a Filipino politician and the current Representative[1] 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.[2] Prior to that, he served as Vice Mayor of Makati from 2010 to 2015 and 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. His humble beginnings among the streets and masses have been attributed to his success and relevance in the local politics of Makati.[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 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

He 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 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.

References

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: House of Representatives. congress.gov.ph. 20 September 2019.
  2. News: Junjun Binay and Kid Peña: A tale of 2 Makati City mayors. Brizuela. Maricar B.. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 20 September 2019.
  3. Web site: FAST FACTS: Acting Makati City mayor Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr.. Santos. Reynaldo Jr.. Rappler. 20 September 2019.
  4. Web site: In the Know: Who is Kid Peña?. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 20 September 2019.
  5. Web site: Squad goals: Kid Peña and his 'Tropang Kid'. March 23, 2016. Politiko Metro Manila. 20 September 2019.
  6. Web site: Hon. Romulo V. Peña Jr.. Makati City Government. 25 January 2021.
  7. Web site: Kid Peña: 'I am ready to run for Makati mayor'. Cepeda. Mara. Rappler. 20 September 2019. August 5, 2015.
  8. Web site: For the 2nd time, Kid Peña sworn in as acting mayor. Francisco. Katerina. Rappler. 20 September 2019. June 30, 2015.
  9. Web site: Jejomar Binay loses congressional bid in Makati. Cupin. Bea. Rappler. 20 September 2019. May 14, 2019.