Kid Peña
Kid Peña | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait during the 19th Congress | |
| Vice Mayor of Makati | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 | |
| Mayor | Nancy Binay |
| Preceded by | Monique Lagdameo |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2015 | |
| Mayor | Junjun Binay |
| Preceded by | Ernesto Mercado |
| Succeeded by | Virgilio Hilario Sr. (acting) |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Makati's 1st District | |
| In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Monsour del Rosario |
| Succeeded by | Monique Lagdameo |
| Acting Mayor of Makati | |
| In office June 30, 2015 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Vice Mayor | Virgilio Hilario Sr. (acting) Leonardo Magpantay (acting) |
| Preceded by | Junjun Binay |
| Succeeded by | Abby 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. August 5, 1969 Makati, Rizal, Philippines |
| Political party | NPC (2024–present) MKTZNU (2021–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (2012–24) Independent (2009–12) |
| Spouse | Ma. Priscela Caasi |
| Parents |
|
| Residence(s) | Valenzuela, Makati, Philippines |
| Alma mater | Adamson 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.[1]
Peña previously served as the representative for Makati's first district from 2019 to 2025 and previously served as a barangay kagawad and captain of Barangay Valenzuela.[2]
Early life
Romulo Peña Jr. was born in Makati on August 5, 1969,[3] to Romulo O. Peña Sr. (1936–2006) and Vilma Valderama-Peña (1936–2005).
Peña was once a service crew member, rider, and manager for several fast food restaurants.[4] 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.[5][6]
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, who lost his mayoralty bid to 1st district councilor Junjun Binay. 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 Junjun Binay and 14 individuals over irregularities on building contracts.[7] 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[8] 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 term-limited wife Abigail. Although Campos lost, Peña won the election as vice mayor. He succeeds Monique Lagdameo, who in turn was elected as the representative of the first district of Makati, effectively swapping positions with each other.
Personal life
Peña is a motorcycle rider and the founder of a community-based riding club named "Tropang Kid".[9] 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.
His brother, George Anthony Peña, is the incumbent barangay captain of Valenzuela, Makati.[10]
Electoral history
| Year | Office | Party | Votes received | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Swing | |||||
| 2010 | Vice Mayor of Makati | IND | 105,949 | 40.76% | 1st | — | Won | |
| 2013 | Liberal | 120,893 | 48.10% | 1st | +7.34 | Won | ||
| 2025 | NPC | 146,771 | 73.00% | 1st | +24.90 | Won | ||
| 2016 | Mayor of Makati | Liberal | 142,257 | 46.73% | 2nd | — | Lost | |
| 2019 | Representative (Makati–1st) | 71,035 | 48.27% | 1st | — | Won | ||
| 2022 | 146,131 | 94.87% | 1st | +46.60 | Won | |||
External links
Media related to Kid Peña at Wikimedia Commons
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Santos, Reynaldo Jr. (March 19, 2015). "FAST FACTS: Acting Makati City mayor Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Peña, Romulo Jr. Valderama" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "In the Know: Who is Kid Peña?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 17, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Hon. Romulo V. Peña Jr". Makati City Government. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ Cepeda, Mara (August 5, 2015). "Kid Peña: 'I am ready to run for Makati mayor'". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ Francisco, Katerina (June 30, 2015). "For the 2nd time, Kid Peña sworn in as acting mayor". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ Cupin, Bea (May 14, 2019). "Jejomar Binay loses congressional bid in Makati". Rappler. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Squad goals: Kid Peña and his 'Tropang Kid'". Politiko Metro Manila. March 23, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Twins? Kid Peña thanks look-alike brother for all the help as politiko". Politiko Metro Manila. May 20, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2025.