Early life and career
Joel Respal Chua was born on August 17,1972,in Quiapo,Manila. [1] He earned his bachelor's degree in accountancy from the University of Santo Tomas,a law degree from San Sebastian College –Recoletos,and a master's degree in public administration from the University of the Philippines.
Chua began his political career in 2007 when he was elected as a city councilor for Manila's third district. He served three consecutive terms until 2016,when he reached his term limit. During this period,he focused on local governance and community development. After a brief hiatus,he returned to the council in 2019 and served until his election to Congress in 2022.
House of Representatives (2022–present)
Elections
In the 2022 elections,Chua ran for the congressional seat of Manila's 3rd district under the banner of Asenso Manileño,following the decision of incumbent Yul Servo Nieto to run as vice mayor. Chua defeated his opponent,former councilor Ramon Morales of PDP–Laban,by a significant margin. [3] [4]
In 2024,after the announcement of their former ally Isko Moreno's candidacy against Lacuna's re-election bid, [5] [6] [7] Chua stated that he and his group felt 'betrayed', [8] as Moreno ran for mayor in 2025. But while Moreno met with some barangay officials for lunch,he accused Chua of shouting at him while they were in a meeting,saying,'Di bale nang matalo kami sa iba,wag lang sa'yo!' (transl. "It doesn't matter if we lose to others,just not to you!"). [9] In 2025,Chua faced Moreno's congressional bet and councilor Apple Nieto,the sister of Vice Mayor Yul Servo. [10] During the campaign,Vice President Sara Duterte endorsed Nieto while speaking negatively of Chua. Despite the vice president's verbal attacks,Chua defeated Nieto in the election,winning a second term in Congress. [11]
Tenure
As a congressman,Chua has authored and co-authored several bills,including measures to waive college entrance examination fees for underprivileged students,regulate the operations of motorcycles-for-hire,including Angkas,and establish the Maharlika Investment Fund,a sovereign wealth fund for the Philippines.
Chua was the only congressman from Manila to vote in favor of the divorce bill. In 2023,he called for the abolishment of the Metro Manila Development Authority,describing it as "disruptive" and that its responsibilities are better off handled by national agencies and local government units. [12] In September 2024,Chua was named Chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. [13] He also serves as the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Public Accounts.
Being a critic of Vice President Sara Duterte,he voted for the impeachment and was nominated to be one of the prosecutors for the upcoming impeachment trial. [14] [15]
Personal life
Chua is married to Eiline Buenaventura,and they have three children. He grew up in Quiapo,Manila,as the eldest and only son among three siblings. His sister,Grace Chua,also a lawyer,succeeded him as a city councilor in 2016.
Controversies
On February 16,2013,months before the election,police arrested and detained Chua,fellow councilor Yul Servo,former councilor Manuel Zarcal,two other councilors,and vice mayor Isko Moreno due to alleged bingo operations in Santa Cruz,Manila,and a lack of permit. [17] [18] They were released a day later,and the gambling charges were eventually dismissed by the Department of Justice due to lack of evidence and vague allegations. The police complainants also failed to cite a particular provision of the law that was violated. [19]
Chua's clash against erstwhile ally,Manila Mayor Isko Moreno,continued during their second terms in 2025,mainly over Chua's infrastructure projects. In July 2025,a barangay hall of Barangay 313,located on the sidewalk next to Arellano High School along T. Alonzo Street in Santa Cruz,Manila,was demolished for Building Code violations and lack of legal permits. [20] [21] Another project,the demolition of structures for a proposed community center in Barangay 334,also in Santa Cruz,was halted the following month for lacking permits. [22] [23] [24] Chua accused Moreno of political bias and called him a “bully,”while Moreno denied the accusation,stating that he had approved the projects of two other Asenso-allied congressmen and Chua's project violated urban planning standards. [25] On August 31,Moreno and Chua have decided to reconcile after meeting at the former's office at the Manila City Hall,committing to the best interests of their constituents. [26]
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