# Joel Chua

Joel Respall Chua (born August 17, 1972) is a Filipino lawyer and politician currently serving as the representative of Manila's 3rd district since 2022. He previously served as a city councilor from 2007 to 2016 and again from 2019 to 2022. He is also the secretary-general of the Asenso Manileño, a local party in Manila.

## Early life and education

Joel Respal Chua was born on August 17, 1972, in Quiapo, Manila. 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.

## Political career
### City councilor (2007–2016, 2019–2022)

Chua began his political career in 2007 when he was elected as a city councilor for Manila's 3rd 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.

### Congressman (2022–present)

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, Ramon Morales of PDP–Laban, by a significant margin.
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 (e.g., Angkas).
* Establish the Maharlika Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund for the Philippines.
Chua is also notable for being the only congressman from Manila to vote in favor of the divorce bill, reflecting his progressive stance on social issues.
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.

#### 2025 elections

In 2024, after the announcement of their former ally Isko Moreno's candidacy against Lacuna's re-election bid, he stated that he and his group were 'betrayed', as Moreno will bid for a mayoral comeback in 2025. But while Moreno met with some barangay officials for a lunch, the latter was accused Chua of shouting at him while they are in a meeting in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, stating '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!"). Chua will face Moreno's congressional bet and councilor Apple Nieto, sister of Servo.

### Party affiliations

Chua has been affiliated with several political parties throughout his career. He initially joined the first iteration of Lakas–CMD in 2007 and the party was later merged with Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI) to become Lakas–Kampi–CMD in 2008. He later switched to PMP in 2009 and became part of Lito Atienza's ticket in 2010. He later became a member of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) from 2012 to 2016, during which he supported Joseph Estrada, who was elected mayor in 2013. He joined the local party Asenso Manileño in 2013, eventually becoming a member of Aksyon Demokratiko (the new national affiliation of then-Asenso leader and mayor Isko Moreno) ahead of the 2022 elections. In 2024, he joined the present-day Lakas–CMD, sharing with House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

## 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.

## Electoral history
### 2022 congressional Election

2022 Philippine House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Asenso | Joel Chua | 68,946 | |
| | PDP–Laban | Ramon Morales | 31,030 | |
| | Independent | Clark Field Arroño | 1,748 | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.00 |
| | Asenso hold | Asenso hold | Asenso hold | Asenso hold |