31/08/2025
Early Life & Education
Born on November 14, 1963, in Manila, Philippines
Wikipedia
Rappler
Son of Benjamin "Kokoy" Romualdez (a former governor of Leyte and ambassador to the U.S., China, and Saudi Arabia) and Juliette Gomez‑Romualdez, he hails from a family deeply rooted in politics. He is a nephew of former First Lady Imelda Marcos and cousin to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Tatler Asia
Rappler
Newsinfo Inquirer
Education:
B.A. in Government from Cornell University (1985)
Wikipedia
Rappler
Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University (1988)
Wikipedia
Manila Bulletin
LL.B. from the University of the Philippines College of Law (1992); admitted to the bar in 1993
Wikipedia
Newsinfo Inquirer
Professional & Political Career
Private Sector
Served on the boards of several major financial institutions including Equitable PCI Bank, Philippine Commercial International Bank (PCIBank), and PCI Leasing Corporation
BusinessMirror
Manila Bulletin
His family has diversified business interests in media, mining, construction, banking, real estate, and hospitality. Noteworthy ventures include substantial involvement in Benguet Corporation, Marcventures, and mining holdings through Bright Kindle Resources, as well as media outlets like Manila Standard under RYM Business Management Corporation
Rappler
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Philstar
In 2024, hacktivists defaced websites of several Romualdez-owned firms, including Marcventures and Bright Kindle, highlighting the reach and vulnerabilities of their corporate holdings
Newsbytes
Political Career
Began public service as a youth leader: president of the Kabataang Barangay federation in Tolosa, Leyte in the early 1990s
Tatler Asia
Newsinfo Inquirer
Elected Representative of Leyte’s 1st District in 2007, held office until 2016 (three consecutive terms), and returned to the seat in 2019
Wikipedia
Rappler
Martin Romualdez
Unsuccessful run for the Senate in 2016, placing 15th
Rappler
Wikipedia
Served as House Majority Leader from July 2019 to June 2022
Wikipedia
Belfer Center
Elected as the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives on July 25, 2022; one of the most powerful political figures as the fourth highest-ranking government official
Wikipedia
BusinessMirror
Manila Bulletin
Legislative Achievements & Public Service
Martin Romualdez has played a central role in crafting and passing key legislation:
Spearheaded pandemic-era bills such as Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, the COVID‑19 Vaccination Act of 2021, and the Malasakit Centers Act
Tatler Asia
Belfer Center
Manila Bulletin
Authored significant reforms including:
Alternative Learning System Act
CREATE Law (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises)
RA 11517, enabling rapid permit issuance in emergencies
Tatler Asia
Belfer Center
Advocated for developments in Leyte:
Expansion of Eastern Visayas Medical Center (RA 11567)
Upgrading of Schistosomiasis Control Hospital into a general hospital (RA 11566)
Establishing a national high school in Tacloban (RA 10290)
Adding regional trial courts in Leyte (RA 10244)
Tatler Asia
Manila Bulletin
Under his speakership, the 19th Congress saw exceptional productivity: from 2022–2024, 13,454 measures were filed, 1,368 passed, resulting in 166 enacted Republic Acts (73 national, 93 local)
Philstar
Emphasizes unity, inclusive leadership, and equitable resource distribution across regions
BusinessMirror
Philstar
Also known as a staunch constitutionalist, serving as President of PHILCONSA, advocating for public awareness and defense of the Philippine Constitution
Newsinfo Inquirer
Belfer Center
Personal Life
Married Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt, former Miss International Philippines (1996), in 1999; she now represents the Tingog Party‑list in Congress
Wikipedia
Martin Romualdez
They have four children, including:
Andrew Julian Romualdez, elected in 2025 as a representative for Tingog Party‑list, becoming the youngest lawmaker in Congress
Wikipedia
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Described as a devoted family man, Romualdez values family communication, compassion, and public service as intertwined values
Newsinfo Inquirer
Philstar
Summary
Martin Romualdez is a seasoned politician, lawyer, and businessman whose leadership combines legislative acumen with strategic capacity in both public service and the corporate sector. As Speaker, his efficient and impactful legislative leadership has been one of the most productive in Philippine congressional history.
