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Roman Romulo
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Roman Tecson Romulo (born February 28, 1967) is a Filipino politician and lawyer. He served as a member of House of Representatives representing the Lone District of Pasig for four consecutive terms from 2007 to 2016 and from 2019 to present.[1] He is the son of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and grand-nephew of President of the United Nations General Assembly Carlos Romulo.
Key Information
Romulo is known for authoring "Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014 (R.A. 10648)", which grants students, belonging to the top 10 bracket of the graduating class of all public high schools in the Philippines, full scholarships on their admission to any state university or college within the region where they graduated.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Romulo was born on February 28, 1967, in Quezon City. He is the third of the five children of diplomat and politician Alberto Romulo and Rosie Lovely Tecson. His father, Alberto, was a former Senator, Budget Secretary, Finance Secretary, Executive Secretary, and Foreign Affairs Secretary.[3][4]
Romulo attended Ateneo de Manila Grade School for his primary education, where he graduated in 1981. He then attended PAREF Southridge School for his secondary education, where he graduated in 1985. He took a Bachelor's Degree in economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City and graduated in 1990. While studying there, he was a member of Upsilon Sigma Phi.[5][6] He also obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of the Philippines College of Law (also in UP Diliman) in 1994.[7][8]
Romulo was admitted to the bar on June 29, 1995, with Roll No. 40361.[9]
Romulo underwent training course on Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce at the International Development Law Institute in Rome, Italy in September 2000.[10]
In 2015, Romulo was conferred the degrees of Doctor of Public Administration honoris causa by the Lyceum-Northwestern University and Doctor of Humanities honoris causa by the University of Baguio in 2015.[11][12]
Early career
[edit]Romulo worked as an associate lawyer at Quisumbing Torres & Evangelista Law Offices from 1994 to 1996. He then worked as an associate lawyer at Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan Law Offices from 1996 to 1999 and as a senior associate lawyer at the same law firm from 1999 to 2007. He was one of the founding partners of Tolosa, Romulo, Agabin, Flores & Enriquez Law Offices in 2005.[13][10]
Political career
[edit]House of Representatives (2007-2016)
[edit]Romulo ran in Pasig's lone district during the 2004 election as an independent.[14] He was endorsed by former Senate President Jovito Salonga and supported by former Pasig mayor Vicente Eusebio but lost to Robert Jaworski Jr., who won by a slim margin.[15][16] Romulo ran again for the House seat during 2007 election and won.[17]
During his term in the House, Romulo was the chairman of committee on Higher and Technical Education and member of the majority of committees on Basic Education and Culture, Constitutional Amendments, Economic Affairs, Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology, Metro Manila Development, Revisions of Laws, Science and Technology, and Veterans Affairs and Welfare.[18][1]
Legislative portfolio
[edit]As a member of 14th, 15th, and 16th Congress, Romulo authored 59 bills and co-authored 34 bills.
Romulo is the principal author of the House version of the following laws:[10]
| Republic Act (House Bill) | Short title | Long title | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| R.A. 10647 (HB 3575) | Ladderized Education Act of 2014 | An Act Strengthening the Ladderized Interface Between Technical-Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education | [19] |
| R.A. 10648 (HB 4860) | Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014 | An Act Providing Scholarship Grants to Top Graduates of All Public High Schools in State Universities and Colleges and Appropriating Funds Therefor | [20] |
| R.A. 10650 (HB 4553) | Open Distance Learning Act | An Act Expanding Access to Educational Services by Institutionalizing Open Distance Learning in Levels of Tertiary Education and Appropriating Funds Therefor | [21] |
| R.A. 10687 (HB 4591) | Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act | An Act Providing for a Comprehensive and Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), Thereby Rationalizing Access Thereto, Appropriating Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes | [22] |
2016 Senate bid
[edit]I filed my [Certificate of Candidacy (COC)] for senator, I am independent, and I support the candidacy of Sen. Grace Poe.
— Roman Romulo's statement in English after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) last October 14, 2015.[23]
Due to limited term for running in congress. Romulo ran for a seat in the Senate during 2016 election under the Partido Galing at Puso, a coalition of senators, Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, for presidential and vice-presidential election, and their line-up for Senate election. He filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections office in Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila on October 14, 2015. He said he aims to create a “strong middle class” by promoting higher education and lowering income tax rates.[24][23][25] He was also endorsed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who won the presidential election.[26][27][24] Romulo, however, didn't win the race and was ranked 22nd on the tally.[28] His sister, Mons, who ran in Pasig's at-large congressional district and lost to Richard Eusebio, said in her Instagram post that their family will remain a helping hand in Pasig and the country despite losing the elections.[29]
Return to House of Representatives (2019-present)
[edit]Romulo ran in Pasig's lone district during the 2019 election as an independent with the support of incoming mayor Vico Sotto. Both of them won.
Personal life
[edit]Romulo married politician and television host Shalani Soledad on January 22, 2012, at St. Benedict Church in Ayala Westgrove Heights, Silang, Cavite.[30][31] Romulo was a member judge on Metrobank Foundation's Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) in 2014.[32][33] In 2015, PeopleAsia's Magazine named him as one of the Men Who Matter awardees.[34]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | 16th Congress of the Philippines". Wayback Machine. Congress.gov.ph. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Mauricio-Arriola, Tessa (July 4, 2015). "You are an 'Iskolar ng Bayan'". Manila Times. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ Arcellana, Juaniyo (May 26, 2003). "Streets & dreams". Philippine Star. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ Arcellana, Juaniyo (March 22, 2015). "Former Sec. Of DFA Dr. Alberto G. Romulo to address 69th ABCollege Commencement Exercises". Andres Bonifacio College. Mindanao Observer. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ Torrevillas, Domini M. "Upsilonians hold 12th world congress". philstar.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "CEU Law dean leads Upsilon UNO awardees". Manila Bulletin News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "Profile - Roman Romulo : Roman Romulo". Romanromulo.com. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "University of the Philippines Alumni". University of the Philippines Alumni. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ "LAW LIST". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ a b c Romulo, Roman. "Roman Romulo CV" (PDF). Romanromulo.com. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Apayao State College". Rotary Club of Manila. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Balita - May 28, 2015" (PDF). Apayao State College. May 28, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "TRAFGLAW.COM LAW Office: Tolosa, Romulo, Agabin, Flores & Enriquez - Partners". Tolosa, Romulo, Agabin, Flores & Enriquez Law Offices. 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Liberal backs Pasig congressional bet". Philstar.com. April 27, 2004. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ "Salonga backs Roman Romulo in Pasig". World News Network. Philippine Star. May 5, 2004. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ Alquitran, Non (April 30, 2004). "Pasig mayor twits Jaworski". Philippine Star. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ Pedroche, Al (May 5, 2007). "Roman Romulo sa Pasig, Maritoni Francisco sa Navotas". Philippine Star. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Higher and Technical Education - HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | 16th Congress of the Philippines". Wayback Machine. Congress.gov.ph. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Republic Act. No. 10647" (PDF). Senate.gov.ph. November 21, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ "Republic Act. No. 10648" (PDF). Senate.gov.ph. November 27, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ "Republic Act. No. 10650" (PDF). Senate.gov.ph. December 9, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ "Republic Act. No. 10687" (PDF). Senate.gov.ph. October 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
- ^ a b "Roman Romulo files COC for senator, declares support for Grace Poe". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
- ^ a b Siazon, Rachel (November 4, 2015). "Grace Poe, Chiz Escudero announce senatorial bets under 'Team Galing at Puso'". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "WATCH: Who filed their candidacy October 14, 2015". Rappler. October 14, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
- ^ Caduaya, Editha (October 10, 2015). "Duterte identifies senatorial candidates he will support". Rappler. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ Herrera, Christine (June 29, 2015). "First five named in Duterte slate". Manila Standard. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "#PHVote 2016 Philippine Election Results". Rappler. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Romulos to remain a helping hand despite losing in elections". Politics.com.ph. May 15, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ Calonzo, Andreo (January 22, 2012). "Shalani Soledad, Rep. Roman Romulo tie the knot". GMA News. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ Evangelista, Patricia (January 22, 2012). "Who's who at the Roman Romulo - Shalani Soledad wedding - Rappler". Rappler. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "2014 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers named". Philippine Star. August 21, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
- ^ "8 public school teachers, 2 UP professors win Metrobank teaching award". GMA News. August 19, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
- ^ Lo, Ricky (June 25, 2015). "Roman, Shalani working hard at 'joint venture'". Philippine Star. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
Roman Romulo
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Family background and upbringing
Roman Tecson Romulo was born on February 28, 1967, in Quezon City, Philippines, into a prominent family with deep roots in public service and diplomacy.[8] He is the third of five children born to Alberto Romulo, a career diplomat and politician who held key positions including Senator, Budget Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Foreign Affairs Secretary under multiple administrations, and Rosie Lovely Tecson-Romulo, whose lineage traces to Filipino revolutionary hero Dr. Pio Valenzuela through her mother, Rosa Valenzuela-Tecson.[8][9][10] Romulo's paternal great-uncle, Carlos P. Romulo, served as President of the United Nations General Assembly and was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and diplomat, underscoring the family's longstanding involvement in national and international affairs.[11] His upbringing occurred amid this legacy of statesmanship, with his father's extensive governmental roles exposing the family to the corridors of Philippine power from an early age. Among his siblings, his sister Bernadette Romulo-Puyat later became Secretary of Tourism, further embedding public service in the family dynamic.[9] Limited public details exist on his personal childhood experiences, but the Romulo household's emphasis on civic duty and intellectual pursuit—reflected in Alberto's diplomatic career spanning decades—influenced Romulo's early orientation toward law and governance.[8]Academic achievements and legal training
Romulo obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of the Philippines Diliman prior to pursuing legal studies.[3] [7] He then earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1994.[1] [12] Following graduation, Romulo was admitted to the Philippine Bar, enabling his entry into legal practice.[12] In addition to his formal degrees, Romulo completed specialized training in the Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce at the International Development Law Institute in Rome, Italy, in September 2000.[13] He later received an honorary Doctor of Public Administration from Lyceum-Northwestern University, recognizing his contributions to public service rather than additional academic coursework.[1] No records indicate distinguished academic honors such as cum laude distinctions during his undergraduate or law studies.Pre-political career
Professional legal practice
Prior to entering politics, Roman Romulo established his legal career in the private sector, beginning shortly after his graduation from the University of the Philippines College of Law. During his training at a law firm, he handled the appeal of a death row convict before taking his oath as a lawyer, successfully overturning the verdict through a Supreme Court petition under the guidance of a supervisor. This early involvement highlighted his focus on human rights defense, particularly for underprivileged clients lacking proper representation.[12] Romulo served as an associate at Quisumbing Torres & Evangelista Law Offices from 1994 to 1996, followed by a role as associate and later senior associate at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, a prominent Philippine firm, starting in 1996. In these positions, he gained experience in corporate and commercial law, deepening his practical understanding of the legal system over several years in private practice. He resigned from senior roles when eligible for partnership to pursue public service, though he maintained involvement in legal matters aligned with community needs.[14][12] In 2005, Romulo became a founding partner at Tolosa Romulo Agabin & Flores Law Offices, where he contributed to corporate and commercial practice until placing his role on leave upon entering Congress in 2007. His firm work included pro bono efforts, such as securing land titles for residents in Pasig's Villa Cuaresma community and supporting scholarships, reflecting a blend of professional litigation and public-interest legal aid.[15][12]Involvement in public and family enterprises
Prior to his political career, Roman Romulo built a professional foundation in corporate law, establishing and leading a private law firm as his primary enterprise. After graduating from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1994, he began as an associate at Quisumbing Torres & Evangelista, a prominent Manila-based firm specializing in business and international law.[16] He later advanced to senior associate at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, one of the Philippines' largest law firms, handling corporate transactions, mergers, and regulatory matters from approximately 1999 until 2007.[10] [16] In 2005, Romulo co-founded Tolosa, Romulo, Agabin, Flores & Enriquez Law Offices (TRAFFG), a boutique firm focused on corporate law, litigation, and advisory services for businesses. As a founding partner, he contributed to its establishment and operations until placing his role on leave to pursue public office in 2007. [17] The firm positioned itself as a nimble alternative to larger practices, emphasizing client-centric strategies in areas like contracts, compliance, and dispute resolution. No verified records indicate direct involvement in family-owned enterprises beyond his legal practice, though the broader Romulo family has historical ties to business leadership, such as Roberto Romulo's executive roles in management consulting and telecommunications.[18] Romulo's pre-political endeavors did not extend to public sector enterprises or government-linked businesses, with his focus remaining on private sector legal services that occasionally intersected with public policy through corporate governance advisory. This professional trajectory underscored his expertise in commercial law, which later informed his legislative priorities in economic reform.[19]Political career
House of Representatives service (2007–2016)
Roman Tecson Romulo was elected to the House of Representatives in the May 14, 2007, general elections, representing Pasig City's lone congressional district under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party.[13] He was reelected on May 10, 2010, for the 15th Congress and again on May 13, 2013, for the 16th Congress, serving three consecutive terms until June 30, 2016.[13] During this period, Romulo focused on legislative measures aimed at education access, public safety, and disaster management, reflecting priorities aligned with his district's urban development needs in Pasig.[20] As a lawmaker in the 14th, 15th, and 16th Congresses, Romulo principal-authored 59 bills and co-authored 34 others, contributing to debates on national policy frameworks.[13] Notable among these was his principal authorship of House Bill 4273, the House version of the Iskolar ng Bayan Act (Republic Act No. 10647), enacted on November 21, 2014, which institutionalized full scholarships for top-performing public high school graduates entering state universities and colleges, aiming to expand merit-based higher education opportunities.[16] He also supported measures enhancing barangay-level peacekeeping and public safety programs, as well as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (Republic Act No. 10121), signed into law on May 27, 2010, which established a national framework for disaster preparedness and response.[20] Romulo's service emphasized fiscal oversight and local infrastructure, with active participation in budget deliberations affecting Pasig's development projects, including flood control and transportation improvements.[9] His legislative record during these terms positioned him as an advocate for evidence-based reforms, prioritizing empirical outcomes in education and risk mitigation over expansive government spending, though specific committee assignments from this era highlight his involvement in appropriations-related discussions rather than chairmanships, which he assumed in later terms.[21]2016 Senate election campaign
On October 14, 2015, Pasig Representative Roman Romulo filed his certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Elections for a Senate seat in the 2016 elections, running as an independent candidate despite his membership in the Liberal Party.[22] He publicly endorsed Senator Grace Poe's presidential campaign and aligned with her tandem with Francis Escudero, diverging from the Liberal Party's support for Mar Roxas.[22] This positioning reflected Romulo's emphasis on policy priorities over strict party loyalty, including advocacy for a return to a two-party system to enforce greater accountability among politicians.[23] Romulo's campaign centered on education reform, leveraging his record as House chair of basic and higher education committees, where he authored the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act and the Open Distance Learning Act.[24] He criticized the K-12 program's rollout for inadequate facilities, equipment shortages, and risks of teacher displacement, proposing its suspension until full readiness.[24] [25] Broader platforms included lowering taxes for middle- and low-income earners to build a stronger middle class, increasing education funding, and advancing the Freedom of Information bill to enhance government transparency.[22] [26] Campaign advertisements highlighted his family legacy under the "Tatak Romulo" slogan, portraying him as a continuation of public service tradition.[27] The election occurred on May 9, 2016, with Romulo competing against 50 other candidates for 12 seats.[28] He garnered approximately 4,718,887 votes, finishing in 22nd place and falling short of election.[28] The outcome aligned with the broader shift toward Rodrigo Duterte's coalition, which captured eight Senate seats, while Poe's slate secured limited wins.[29]Return to House of Representatives (2019–present)
Romulo reclaimed his position in the House of Representatives by winning the Pasig lone district seat in the May 13, 2019, midterm elections, defeating Ricky Eusebio with 216,202 votes to Eusebio's 94,362 based on partial results from 96% of precincts. He assumed office on June 30, 2019, for the 18th Congress, resuming leadership as Chairman of the Committee on Basic Education and Culture, a role he held previously.[30][31] In the 18th Congress, Romulo prioritized education policy, co-authoring measures such as House Bill No. 5367 on local significance and contributing to discussions on fiscal and educational frameworks.[32] He filed his certificate of candidacy for re-election in October 2021 and secured victory in the May 9, 2022, elections, continuing into the 19th Congress.[33] As part of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), he served as a commissioner, advocating for foundational reforms amid ongoing challenges in Philippine basic education.[34][6] Romulo maintained his committee chairmanship into the 19th Congress, leading hearings on bills like those reforming K-12 pathways to allow student choice after Grade 10 for broader career preparation.[35][36] He supported EDCOM 2's Year 2 report, "Fixing the Foundations," released January 14, 2025, which addressed systemic educational deficiencies through data-driven recommendations.[34] In the May 12, 2025, elections, Romulo won re-election for a third consecutive term—his fifth overall—defeating Ian Sia in a landslide, positioning him for the 20th Congress starting June 30, 2025.[37][38]Legislative initiatives and policy focus
Education reform and committee leadership
Roman Romulo serves as Chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture in the Philippine House of Representatives, a position he assumed on July 30, 2025.[39] In this role, he oversees legislation related to pre-school, elementary, secondary education, teachers' and students' welfare, non-formal education, national language, libraries, museums, and Filipino cultural preservation.[39] Previously, during his earlier terms, Romulo chaired the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, focusing on post-secondary advancements.[40] As co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2), Romulo has advocated for systemic reforms to address foundational weaknesses in the Philippine education system, including enhanced early childhood education and adequate instructional materials.[41] He has criticized the K-12 program's implementation, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s assessments, and proposed either its removal or substantial reform to improve learning outcomes amid declining literacy rates.[42] Romulo suggested reducing the number of subjects in basic education from 31 to eight core areas until functional literacy is restored, emphasizing pragmatic prioritization over expanded curriculum.[43] Under his committee leadership, Romulo sponsored House bills advancing education reforms, such as allowing Grade 10 students to select from two academic pathways rather than rigid tracks, aiming to provide credits eligible for college and vocational pursuits.[35] He also filed legislation amending the 1998 Adopt-a-School Act to extend partnerships for early childhood, technical-vocational, and higher education infrastructure.[44] Additionally, Romulo supported creating a Cabinet Cluster on Education to streamline oversight and policy coordination across agencies.[40] These initiatives reflect his focus on evidence-based adjustments, including transferring redundant subjects to senior high school to potentially shorten college duration by one semester.[45]
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