Wiki: Mikee Romero - upcScavenger

Michael Odylon " Mikee" Lagman Romero (; born March 21, 1973) is a Filipino businessman, politician, philanthropist, military reservist, and sportsman. He currently holds the rank of Colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve. He served as the Party-list Congressman for 1-Pacman from 2016 to 2025 holding roles as Senior Deputy Speaker, Chairperson of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation, and President of the Party-list Coalition, an alliance of more than 50 members of the House of Representatives. He is regarded as one of the most prolific lawmakers in Philippine history, authoring 148 Republic Acts and over 1,200 bills and resolutions, including the Magna Carta for the Poor, the Universal Healthcare Act, the Mental Health Act, and the Eddie Garcia Law of 2024.

As a businessman, Romero is currently the chairman and president of Globalport 900 and owns the NorthPort Batang Pier basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). As of December 2018, his declared net worth is Philippine peso7.858 billion. He was the Philippines' richest Congressman and one of the country's 50 richest individuals.

Romero is also a world-ranked polo player, a SEA Games medalist, and a decorated Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve, serving as OIC Wing Commander of the 2nd Air Force Wing Reserve Command.

Business career

Romero serves as chair of the Board of Globalport 900, Inc. (), formerly MIC Holdings Corp, since June 7, 2012. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from De La Salle University (while also playing for the university's varsity basketball team) and a Master's in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management. He also holds two doctorate degrees in Business Administration and Political Economics coming from the International Academy of Management and Economics and De La Salle University.

He is also chief executive officer of Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc., chair of Manila North Harbour Port, Inc., chair of Mikro-tech Capital, Inc., CEO of Pacifica, Inc. and vice chair of AirAsia Philippines.

Son of construction magnate Reghis Romero II, Romero worked in venture capital in Singapore before returning home in 2002 to seize the country's infrastructure opportunity. He converted his family's reclaimed land into Harbour Center Port Terminal, now the country's biggest bulk and breakbulk port. He listed his port assets in 2011, with a reverse takeover of listed MIC Holdings, renaming it as GlobalPort 900, Inc. He said he wants to build a 'seaport highway' across the Philippines archipelago. He also has a 65% stake in Manila North Harbour, country's biggest port, where San Miguel is a partner. Other interests include mining, hotels, a 20% stake in Air Asia Philippines and 15% in Alfred Yao's Zest Airways.

Wealth

Romero first appeared in Forbes Philippines’ 50 Richest Filipinos in 2013, when he was 40 years old, ranking #26 with an estimated net worth of approximately US $490 million. He remained on the list in 2014, ranking #33 with an estimated net worth of US $375 million.

In 2016, following his election as Congressman, Romero divested most of his business interests to focus on public service and address potential conflicts of interest. He reappeared on the Forbes list in 2018, and again in 2020, ranking #46 with an estimated net worth of US $135 million.

From 2016 to 2025, during his three terms in the House of Representatives, Romero was consistently identified as the richest congressman in the Philippines, based on his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

Sporting career

Playing career

Romero took up several sports with the intention of competing in the SEA Games. He was 3-dan black belter in Arnis, a national jetski champion in 2005 and was with the Philippine trap shooting team.

Basketball

The De La Salle Green Archers had Romero as a player in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). His basketball career ended in 1991 after sustaining an ankle injury.

Romero is regarded as the “Godfather of Philippine Amateur Basketball” for his role in sustaining the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and supporting grassroots programs. As owner of the Harbour Centre basketball team, he led the franchise to seven consecutive PBL titles (2006–2010), producing future Philippine Basketball Association stars and national team players. He also backed various national squads and youth programs, providing vital support to amateur basketball during a period of declining sponsorship.

Polo

In polo, he is known for being the founder of the Philippine National Federation of Polo Players. The Miguel Lorenzo Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas is named after his deceased son.

Romero is also a polo player taking up horse riding when he was five years old. He started training in polo in 2010 under professional polo players, mostly from Argentina. He went on to compete in polo competitions in Thailand and the United States. He competed for the Philippines at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. He competed in the 0-2 goals event with the team settling for the bronze medal.

Romero is also affiliated with the GlobalPort Polo Team as a player. GlobalPort is the first Asia-based team to ever compete in the U.S. Open Polo Championship. The team, Romero included, made their debut in the 2025 edition, where he has reached multiple milestones. In April, he rose to No. 6 in the United States Polo Association’s amateur rankings and placed No. 20 overall with 205 points, sharing the spot with 10-goaler and 2024 U.S. Open Polo Championship winner Poroto Cambiaso for the January–May Winter Polo Season. Earlier that year, the World Polo Tour ranked him No. 24 among amateur players worldwide, the highest ranking ever attained by a Southeast Asian in the global circuit.

Sports management

Romero owns a baseball team (Manila Sharks) and a PBA team (NorthPort Batang Pier).

Sports teams

NorthPort Batang Pier (Philippine Basketball Association, 2012–present)
Capital1 Solar Energy (Premier Volleyball League, 2024–present)
AirAsia Flying Spikers (Philippine Super Liga, 2014)
Manila Sharks (Baseball Philippines, 2007–2012)
AirAsia Philippine Patriots (ASEAN Basketball League, 2009–2012)
Harbour Centre Batang Pier/Oracle Residences Titans (Philippine Basketball League, 2004–2010)

Political career

Romero was named as one of the new deputy speakers of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on August 13, 2019. During a House leadership crisis which began in late September 2020, Romero supported Lord Allan Velasco's speakership bid in accordance with the term-sharing agreement between Cayetano and Velasco during the commencement of the 18th Congress. On October 2, Fredenil Castro (Capiz–2nd) challenged the representatives to resign if they cannot cooperate with Cayetano's leadership. Deputy Majority Leader Xavier Jesus Romualdo moved to have Castro replace Romero as a deputy speaker. The motion was approved without objections, removing Romero from the position.

On October 12, a majority of House members held session at the Celebrity Sports Complex in Quezon City. After they declared the speakership vacant, Romero was one of those who nominated Velasco as speaker. Velasco was declared as the new speaker after garnering 186 votes, more than the 151 needed for a majority. However, Cayetano's side questioned the legality of the session. The next day, Velasco was formally elected in an official session held at the Batasang Pambansa while Cayetano resigned. On October 14, Romero was again elected as a deputy speaker, replacing the ousted Luis Raymund Villafuerte (Camarines Sur–2nd), a Cayetano ally.

A three-term congressman, Romero has held several leadership roles in the House of Representatives, including Senior Deputy Speaker and Political Affairs Head (2019–2022), Chairman of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation (2022–2025), and Deputy Majority Leader (2016–2019). He has an extensive legislative record, having authored 148 Republic Acts and over 1,200 bills and resolutions, focusing on key areas such as poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, and national defense. Among his most notable legislative contributions are the Expanded Conditional Cash Transfer Program (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), the Magna Carta for the Poor, the Free College Tuition Law, and the Barangay Health Worker Benefits Act.

List of republic acts

Romero's list of notable Republics Acts (RA) authored or co-authored by him.

Poverty Alleviation Laws

RA11310: 4P’s Act
RA10931: Free Tuition Fee Act
RA11291: Magna Carta for the Poor
RA11037: National Feeding Program for Children
RA11463: Malasakit Center Act

Healthcare Laws

RA11215: National Integrated Cancer Control Act
RA11223: Universal Health Care Act
RA11228: Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All PWD`s
RA11166: Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018
RA11509: Doktor para sa Bayan
RA10932: Anti-Hospital Deposit law
1RA11036: Philippine Mental Health Law

Agriculture Laws

RA10969: Free Irrigation Service Act
RA11203: Rice Tariffication Act
RA11398: Fisheries Regulation Act
RA11511: Amending the Organic Agriculture Act
RA11524: Coco-levy Trust Fund Act
RA11231: Agricultural Free Patent Reform Act
RA11321: Sagip Saka Act
RA11364: Cooperative Development Authority Act of 2019
RA11398: Philippine Fisheries Profession Act
RA11598: Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act
RA11901: The Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022

Economic Laws

RA10929: Free Internet Access in Public Places
RA11032: Ease of Doing Business Act
RA11211: New Bangko ng Sentral ng Pilipinas Act
RA11293: Philippines Innovation Act
RA11337: Innovative Startup Act
RA11052: Philippine Food Technology Act
RA11127: National Payment Systems Act
RA11055: Philippine Identification System Act
RA11165: Telecommuting Act
RA11285: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act
RA11517: PRRD special powers
RA11976: Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018
RA11966: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines
RA11232: Revised Corporation Code
RA11548: deferment of contribution increase (SSS)
RA11597: Philippine Veterans Bank Act
RA11840: PDIC act
RA11954: Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023

Sports Related Laws

RA11214: Philippine Sports Training Center Act
RA11470: The National Academy of Sports

Labor and Social Services Laws

RA10968: Philippine Qualifications Framework
RA11058: Occupational Safety & Health Standards Act
RA11199: SSS Rationalization Act
RA11466: Salary Standardization Act of 2019
RA11188: Special Protection of Children in Armed Conflicts
RA11962: Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act

RA11996: Eddie Garcia law
RA11227: Handbook for OFWs Act of 2018
RA11230: Tulong-Trabaho Act
RA11261: First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act
RA11701: Night Shift differential pay
RA11712: Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act
RA11861: Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act
RA11927: Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act

Pandemic Response Laws

RA11469: Bayanihan Act to Heal as One
RA11494: Bayanihan to Recover Act
RA11519: Funds for Bayanihan to Recover Act
RA11525: COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021

Permits, Licenses and Passport Laws

RA10928: Ext Validity of PH Passports to 10yrs
RA10930: Ext Validity of Driver`s License to 5yrs
RA11984: No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act

RA11983: New Philippine Passport Act

Science and Technology Laws

RA11312: Magna Carta for Scientists & Engineers
RA11035: Balik Scientist act
RA11363: Philippine Space Act
RA 12180 Philippine Volcanology and Seismology Act

Senior Citizen Laws

RA11350 National Comm. Of Senior Citizen Act
RA11164: Increasing the Monthly Pension for Senior Citizen
RA11982: New Centenarian Act

Muslim Affairs Law

RA11054: BANGSAMORO Organic Law

Education Laws

RA11510: Alternative Learning System Act
RA11997: Additional teachers allowance act
RA11314: Student Fare Discount Act
RA11713: Excellence in Teacher Education Act
RA11899: Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Act
RA12063: An act institutionalizing the enterprise-based education and training framework and appropriating funds therefore.

Military and Anti-Terror Laws

RA11479: Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
RA11958: Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents
RA11939: AFP Modernization
RA11709: AFP Attrition system

Natural Resources and Energy Laws

RA11038: Expanded National Integrated Protected Area of 2018
RA11039: Electric Cooperatives Emergency Act
RA 12120: An Act promoting the development of natural gas industry, consolidating for the purpose all laws relating to transmission, distribution and supply of natural gas.

Telecommunications Laws

RA11202: Mobile Number Portability Act
RA11934: SIM card registration act
RA11967: Internet Transactions Act of 2023

Local Government Laws

RA11292: Seal of Local Governance Act of 2019
RA11053: Stiffer Anti-Hazing Law
RA11964: Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act
RA10361: Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay
RA11361: Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act
RA11057: Personal Property Security Act
RA11898: Extended Producer Responsibility Act 2022
RA11995: or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS)
RA12076 Ligtas Pinoy Center Act

Government Reorganization Laws

RA11201: Department of human settlements and urban development
RA11641: DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS
RA11589: BFP MODERNIZATION ACT
RA11576: Judiciary Reorganization Act (expanding)
RA12009: Government Procurement Reform Act

Taxes and Revenues Laws

RA10963: TRAIN Act
RA11534: CREATE Act
RA11346: Additional Tobacco Sin Tax
RA11595: Retail trade liberalization act of 2022
RA11659: Public service act of 2022
RA11647: Foreign investment act of 2022
RA12001: Real Property Valuation Reform Act of 2024
RA11213: Tax Amnesty Act
RA11521: amending AMLA (ra9160)
RA11523: Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act
RA11567: Extension Estate Tax Amnesty
RA11569: Extension Estate Tax Amnesty(amending ra11213)
RA11956: TAX AMNESTY ACT, extending the period of availment of the estate tax amnesty until June 14, 2025]

Judiciary Laws

RA11937: Filipino Citizenship of Justin Brownlee
RA7309: Board of claims under DOJ – unjust detention and imprisonment
RA11594: amending the Revised Penal Code
RA11691: Judiciary Marshals Act
RA11862: Expanded Anti-trafficking Persons Act 2022

General Appropriations Act

RA 12116: GAA 2025
RA11975: GAA 2024
RA11936: GAA 2023
RA11639: GAA 2022
RA11518: GAA 2021
RA11465: GAA 2020
RA11260: GAA 2019
RA10964: GAA 2018
RA10924: GAA 2017

Election Related Laws

RA11935: postponing 2022 barangay & SK elections
RA11207: Fair Election Act
RA11462: postponing 2020 barangay & SK elections

Arts and Culture Laws

RA11981: (Proudly Filipino) Act
RA11961: National Cultural Heritage Act
RA11333: National Museum of the Philippines Act

Energy Laws

RA11234: Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act
RA11371: Murang Kuryente Act
RA11552: Lifeline Rates -EPIRA
RA11571: JCEC Enhancement Act – EPIRA
RA11572: Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act
RA11646: Microgrid Systems Act
RA11697: Electric Vehicle Industry Act

Cybercrime Laws

RA11315: Community-Based Monitoring System Act
RA11930: Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act

Agrarian Reform Law

RA11953: New Agrarian Emancipation Act

Military career

In 2025, Romero was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the Armed forces of the Philippines Reserve Force. He is currently the OIC Wing Commander of the 2nd Airforce Wing Reserve Command which operates in Clark Airbase, Pampanga. He is the airforce reserve commander of the whole Ilocos Region of Region 1, Cagayan Valley of Region 2 and the Central Luzon Region 3. He was formerly the 11th Airforce Group Reserve Commander in the NCR. Romero obtained his General Staff Course Class 73 in the AFP-CGSC in 2023. As a former legislator, Romero championed the AFP Modernization Program by helping secure the acquisition of three (3) C-130J-30 aircraft for the Philippine Airforce and to be delivered this 2026. He was then the Vice Chairman of the Bicameral Conferences and Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The AFP bestowed on him more than 20 medals and ribbons for his achievements and is an honorary Gold Wing holder. Romero is the Chairman of the newly formed Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines, an association of reservist patterned after the National Guard Association of the United States of America.

Personal life

Mikee Romero married Sheila Bermudez in 1992 with whom he had five children, which includes Milka Romero. His son Miguel Lorenzo died in 2017 at age 22, who was a polo player like himself and a jujitsu practitioner.

Romero's mother, Lillibeth Romero, was the longtime partner of actor and producer Eddie Garcia, whom Mikee considers to be his stepfather. Following Garcia's accidental death in 2019, Romero filed a bill in Congress—later dubbed the "Eddie Garcia Law"—which mandates occupational safety requirements in the cultural and entertainment industries. Congress approved the bill on its third reading in February 2023, and President Bongbong Marcos signed it into law in May 2024 as Republic Act No. 11996, or the Eddie Garcia Law.

Notes

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