Romulo Peña Jr.

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.

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.

Early life Romulo Peña Jr. was born in Makati on August 5, 1969, 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. 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) for Makati, making him a sectoral representative in the Makati City Council, from 2007 to 2010.

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. He became the second city mayor of Makati not affiliated with the Binay family since 1986 and the first non-Binay since Makati's cityhood in 1995. However, he lost the 2016 election to 2nd district representative Abby Binay.

In the 2019 Philippine midterm elections, Peña made a successful political comeback, defeating former Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay in a close race for a congressional seat in the 1st district of Makati. He was re-elected in 2022, this time under the ticket of incumbent Mayor Abby 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 to his sister-in-law Senator Nancy Binay, 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". 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 his companions and as social service carriers.

His brother, George Anthony Peña, is the incumbent barangay captain of Valenzuela, Makati.

Peña is married to Ma. Priscela Caasi.

Electoral history