The Filipino Profiles

Alberto Gatmaitan Rómulo (born 1933) is a politician in the Philippines. He is currently the Foreign Secretary in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Rómulo was born in Camiling, Tarlac from Pangasinan parents. He first joined government service as a member of Corazon Aquino’s economic team. He was a senator from 1987 to 1998, during which time he served as Majority Leader for five years.

He became Finance Secretary in January 2001, having been appointed when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office and formed her own cabinet. He left this position in May 2001, but became Executive Secretary. On August 18, 2004, he was appointed Foreign Secretary, and still holds this position. He served as Chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN in 2007.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto "Bert" Romulo has already carved for himself his own niche in Philippine politics, not only as an economic manager, but as a respected statesman as well.

Born in Camiling, Tarlac province, Secretary Romulo first joined government service as a member of former President Corazon Aquino’s economic team – as Secretary of Budget and Management, Chairman of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee and a member of the Monetary Board.

As Senator he was Majority Leader for five years and was chosen to head the Senate committee on banks, currency and financial institutions. During his term, he authored major legislations like the creation of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Rural Bank Act, the Philippine Veterans Act, Salary Standardization Law, Tax Exemption on Christmas Bonus and the Early Retirement Act.

A statesman and economic manager, Secretary Alberto Romulo will carry the ball as it were, in the pursuit and implementation of the country’s foreign policy. His vast experience in the Cabinet and the Senate will be very helpful to him in his new position. Romulo is well grounded on national security having chaired the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security (COC-IS) whose goal was the enhancement of national security.

Secretary Romulo had served in various capacities as Secretary of Budget and Management, Chairman of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) and Member of the Monetary Board under the Aquino Administration; and as Finance Secretary under the Arroyo Administration. At the Senate, he served as Senate Majority Leader for five years and as chairman of the Committee on Banks, Currencies and Financial Institutions. In the Senate, he authored and sponsored major legislations such as the New Central Bank Law and Salary Standardization Law, among others.

Secretary Romulo holds a Bachelor of Science of Commerce from the De La Salle University, a Bachelor of Laws from the Unibersidad de Madrid in Spain and a Doctor of Laws from the University of Madrid.

A recipient of the Gintong Ama Award, Secretary Romulo was also named Most Outstanding Senator of the Philippine Free Press, the Federation of the Provincial Clubs, Congresweek magazine, the Senate Radio and Television Press Group and the Philippine Infrastructure Journal.

Secretary Romulo is married to the former Rosie Lovely Tecson of Davao City. They have five children and six grandchildren.

Other Information

• Name : Alberto Gatmaitan Rómulo
• Born : 1933
• Birthplace : Camiling, Tarlac
• Schools Attended :
• Bachelor of Science of Commerce, De La Salle University
• Bachelor of Laws, Unibersidad de Madrid, Spain
• Doctor of Laws, University of Madrid
• Spouse : Rosie Lovely Tecson
• Children : 5

Career Highlights

• Foreign Secretary (Incumbent)
• Chairman, Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN (2007)
• Finance Secretary (January 2001 to May 2001)
• Senator (1987 to 1998)

Awards and Recognitions

• Gintong Ama Award
• Most Outstanding Senator of the Philippine Free Press

Links

• dfa.gov.ph