Joey Lina: A Lifetime of Service Above Self

Joey Lina has lived a life dedicated to Service Above Self. Across government, law, business, and civil society, his mission has always been for the greater good – especially the most vulnerable.

From his early years as a student leader at the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the Philippines, freedom fighter, human rights lawyer, and Rotary servant-leader, Joey has consistently placed people at the heart of his work. He was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines, he became the youngest Senator under the 1987 Constitution at 35 years of age – a distinction he still holds to this day.

His leadership was tested and proven in some of the country's most demanding roles: Governor of Metro Manila and General Manager of Metro Manila Commission (MMC), now MMDA (1986-1987); Senator of the Republic of the Philippines (two terms, 1987-1995); Governor of the Province of Laguna (two terms, 1995-2001); Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (2001-2004); and Chairman, Dangerous Drugs Board (2002-2004).

He united leagues of all local governments nationwide as founding President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

A proud Rotarian for over 21 years at the Rotary Club of Makati Central and a Paul Harris Fellow, Joey belongs to a strong club that has consistently supported The Rotary Foundation. Collectively, Joey and the club have contributed a total of $404,231.00 to The Rotary Foundation.

Joey is now the District Governor Nominee (DGN) of Rotary International District 3830.

As a Rotarian, Joey has spearheaded numerous service initiatives. He founded the Children's First 1000 Days Coalition, a nationwide maternal and child health movement uniting more than 200 organizations – from Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions to World Vision and the Philippine Medical Association – ensuring that every child receives the best foundation in life during their most critical early years.

Joey now serves as President of The Manila Hotel and two other corporations in the tourism industry.

He is likewise the Chairman of the Noble Home Corp. Through his leadership as Chair of Noble Home Corp., its affiliate, Noble Home Development Corp., is proceeding toward the establishment of a $25,000.00 Endowment Fund with The Rotary Foundation this Rotary Year.

Beyond the boardroom, Joey hosts the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum, writes a weekly Manila Bulletin column, teaches constitutional law, local government, and public international law in several law schools, performs in fundraising concerts, and chairs the Citizens' Alliance for Life and the Law of the Sea (CALL of the SEA), championing sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and the preservation of Manila Bay.