Roman Romulo
{{Short description|Filipino politician (born 1967)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{good article}}
{{Philippine name|Tecson|Romulo}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Roman Romulo
| image = Rep. Roman Romulo (19th Congress).jpg
| image_size = 220px
| caption = Official portrait, 2022
| office = Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
from Pasig
| term_start = June 30, 2019
| term_end =
| predecessor = Richard Eusebio
| term_start2 = June 30, 2007
| term_end2 = June 30, 2016
| predecessor2 = Robert Jaworski Jr.
| successor2 = Richard Eusebio
| office3 = Chair of the Philippine House of Representatives Higher and Technical Education Committee
| term_start3 = July 30, 2013
| term_end3 = June 30, 2016
| predecessor3 = Sonny Angara
| successor3 = Dulce Ann Hofer
| birth_name = Roman Tecson Romulo
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|02|28}}
| birth_place = Quezon City, Philippines
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = NPC (2024–present)
Giting ng Pasig (local; 2021–present)
| otherparty = Aksyon (2018–2021)
Liberal (2009–2015)
Lakas–CMD (2006–2009)
Independent (until 2006; 2015–2018; 2021–2024)
| parents = {{unbulleted list|Alberto Romulo|Rosie Lovely Tecson}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|Shalani Soledad|January 22, 2012}}
| relations = Carlos Romulo
(granduncle)
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat
(sister)
| profession = {{Unbulleted list|Lawyer|Politician}}
| salary =
| portfolio =
| children =
| alma_mater = University of the Philippines, Diliman (BA, LL.B.)
| website = {{URL|http://romanromulo.com/}}
}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=roman-r |title=HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | 16th Congress of the Philippines |website=Wayback Machine |publisher=Congress.gov.ph |access-date=June 5, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701200031/http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=roman-r |archive-date=July 1, 2016 }} He is the son of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and grand-nephew of President of the United Nations General Assembly Carlos Romulo.
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.{{cite news |url=http://www.manilatimes.net/you-are-an-iskolar-ng-bayan/197513/ |title=You are an 'Iskolar ng Bayan' |last1=Mauricio-Arriola |first1=Tessa |date=July 4, 2015 |newspaper=Manila Times |access-date=June 5, 2016}}
Early life and education
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.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/207654/streets-dreams |title=Streets & dreams |last1=Arcellana |first1=Juaniyo |date=May 26, 2003 |newspaper=Philippine Star |access-date=March 15, 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.abcollege.edu.ph/uncategorized/former-sec-of-dfa-dr-alberto-g-romulo-to-address-69th-abcollege-commencement-exercises/ |title=Former Sec. Of DFA Dr. Alberto G. Romulo to address 69th ABCollege Commencement Exercises |website=Andres Bonifacio College |last1=Arcellana |first1=Juaniyo |date=March 22, 2015 |publisher=Mindanao Observer |access-date=March 15, 2017}}
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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/opinion/431470/upsilonians-hold-12th-world-congress|title=Upsilonians hold 12th world congress|last=Torrevillas|first=Domini M.|work=philstar.com|access-date=2017-09-02}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/09/ceu-law-dean-leads-upsilon-uno-awardees|title=CEU Law dean leads Upsilon UNO awardees|website=Manila Bulletin News|access-date=2017-09-02|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903074033/http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/09/ceu-law-dean-leads-upsilon-uno-awardees/|url-status=dead}} He also obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of the Philippines College of Law (also in UP Diliman) in 1994.{{cite web |url=http://www.romanromulo.com/profile-3/ |title=Profile - Roman Romulo : Roman Romulo |last1= |first1= |date= |publisher=Romanromulo.com |access-date=June 5, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://alum.up.edu.ph/?page_id=708 |title=University of the Philippines Alumni |publisher=University of the Philippines Alumni |date= |access-date=March 15, 2017}}
Romulo was admitted to the bar on June 29, 1995, with Roll No. 40361.{{cite web |url=http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/baradmission/lawlist/ |title=LAW LIST |publisher=Supreme Court of the Philippines |access-date=March 15, 2017}}
Romulo underwent training course on Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce at the International Development Law Institute in Rome, Italy in September 2000.
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.{{cite web |url=http://asc.edu.ph/view.php?id=76 |title=Apayao State College |last1= |first1= |date= |publisher=Rotary Club of Manila |access-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313220401/http://asc.edu.ph/view.php?id=76 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://wprcm.kmsystemsphil.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MAY-28-2015-BALITA1.pdf |title=Balita - May 28, 2015 |last1= |first1= |date=May 28, 2015 |publisher=Apayao State College |access-date=June 5, 2016}}
Early career
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.trafglaw.com/home/index2549.html?page=our-partners |title=TRAFGLAW.COM LAW Office: Tolosa, Romulo, Agabin, Flores & Enriquez - Partners |last1= |first1= |date=2009 |publisher=Tolosa, Romulo, Agabin, Flores & Enriquez Law Offices |access-date=June 5, 2016}}
Political career
=House of Representatives (2007-2016)=
Romulo ran in Pasig's lone district during the 2004 election as an independent.{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2004 |title=Liberal backs Pasig congressional bet |url=https://www.philstar.com/metro/2004/04/27/247843/liberal-backs-pasig-congressional-bet |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Philstar.com}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://article.wn.com/view/2004/05/05/Salonga_backs_Roman_Romulo_in_Pasig/ |title=Salonga backs Roman Romulo in Pasig |last1= |first1= |date=May 5, 2004 |publisher=Philippine Star |website=World News Network |access-date=March 15, 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/metro/248197/pasig-mayor-twits-jaworski |title=Pasig mayor twits Jaworski |last1=Alquitran |first1=Non |date=April 30, 2004 |newspaper=Philippine Star |access-date=March 15, 2017}} Romulo ran again for the House seat during 2007 election and won.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com:8080/opinyon/397260/roman-romulo-sa-pasig-maritoni-francisco-sa-navotas |title=Roman Romulo sa Pasig, Maritoni Francisco sa Navotas |last1=Pedroche |first1=Al |date=May 5, 2007 |newspaper=Philippine Star |access-date=June 5, 2016}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/committees/search.php?id=C502 |title=Higher and Technical Education - HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | 16th Congress of the Philippines |publisher=Congress.gov.ph |website=Wayback Machine |access-date=June 5, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701200436/http://www.congress.gov.ph/committees/search.php?id=C502 |archive-date=July 1, 2016 }}
==Legislative portfolio==
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:{{cite web |url=http://romanromulo.com/sites/default/files/Roman%20Romulo%20CV.pdf |title=Roman Romulo CV |last1=Romulo |first1=Roman |date= |publisher=Romanromulo.com |access-date=June 5, 2016}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Republic Act (House Bill)
! 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
=2016 Senate bid=
{{cquote|I filed my [Certificate of Candidacy (COC)] for senator, I am independent, and I support the candidacy of Sen. Grace Poe.|author=Roman Romulo's statement in English after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) last October 14, 2015.{{cite news|title=Roman Romulo files COC for senator, declares support for Grace Poe |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/730844/roman-romulo-files-coc-for-senator-declares-support-for-grace-poe|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=March 29, 2017}}}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.pep.ph/electionwatch2016/photos/8536/grace-poe-chiz-escudero-announce-senatorial-bets-under-team-galing-at-puso |title=Grace Poe, Chiz Escudero announce senatorial bets under 'Team Galing at Puso' |last1=Siazon |first1=Rachel |date=November 4, 2015 |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal |access-date=June 5, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/109203-who-filed-their-candidacies-oct-14-2015 |title=WATCH: Who filed their candidacy October 14, 2015 |date=October 14, 2015 |work=Rappler |access-date=March 29, 2017}} He was also endorsed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who won the presidential election.{{cite news |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/108752-duterte-supporting-senatorial-candidates |title=Duterte identifies senatorial candidates he will support |last1=Caduaya |first1=Editha |date=October 10, 2015 |work=Rappler |access-date=June 5, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/news/headlines/193102/first-five-named-in-duterte-slate.html |title=First five named in Duterte slate |last1=Herrera |first1=Christine |date=June 29, 2015 |newspaper=Manila Standard |access-date=June 5, 2016}} Romulo, however, didn't win the race and was ranked 22nd on the tally.{{cite news |url=http://ph.rappler.com/elections/2016/results |title=#PHVote 2016 Philippine Election Results |work=Rappler |access-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220151938/http://ph.rappler.com/elections/2016/results |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://metromanila.politics.com.ph/2016/05/15/romulos-to-remain-a-helping-hand-despite-losing-in-elections/ |title=Romulos to remain a helping hand despite losing in elections |last1= |first1= |date=May 15, 2016 |publisher=Politics.com.ph |access-date=June 5, 2016}}
=Return to House of Representatives (2019-present)=
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
Romulo married politician and television host Shalani Soledad on January 22, 2012, at St. Benedict Church in Ayala Westgrove Heights, Silang, Cavite.{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/245385/showbiz/shalani-soledad-rep-roman-romulo-tie-the-knot |title=Shalani Soledad, Rep. Roman Romulo tie the knot |last1=Calonzo |first1=Andreo |date=January 22, 2012 |publisher=GMA News |access-date=June 5, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/1008-who-s-who-at-the-roman-romulo-shalani-soledad-wedding |title=Who's who at the Roman Romulo - Shalani Soledad wedding - Rappler |last1=Evangelista |first1=Patricia |date=January 22, 2012 |work=Rappler |access-date=June 5, 2016}} Romulo was a member judge on Metrobank Foundation's Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) in 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/campus/education/2014/08/21/1359994/2014-metrobank-foundation-outstanding-teachers-named |title=2014 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers named |date=August 21, 2014 |newspaper=Philippine Star |access-date=March 29, 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/375426/lifestyle/8-public-school-teachers-2-up-professors-win-metrobank-teaching-award |title=8 public school teachers, 2 UP professors win Metrobank teaching award |last1= |first1=|date=August 19, 2014 |publisher=GMA News |access-date=March 29, 2017}} In 2015, PeopleAsia's Magazine named him as one of the Men Who Matter awardees.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/06/25/1469566/roman-shalani-working-hard-joint-venture |title=Roman, Shalani working hard at 'joint venture' |last1=Lo |first1=Ricky|date=June 25, 2015 |newspaper=Philippine Star |access-date=March 29, 2017}}