MANILA,, Philippines — The Ateneo Law School Dean Jose Maria “Joey” Hofileña has died. He was 64.
His family thanked all those who remembered the late law dean in prayer.
“We are thankful for the beautiful gift that Joey has been to all of us, and find comfort in knowing that he is now wrapped in the warm embrace of our Creator,” the family said in a statement.
Lawyers on Friday mourned Hofileña’s death.
Former Ateneo School of Government dean Tony La Viña said Hofileña had been under intensive care for nearly a month.
“Devastating, terrible, sad, unfathomable news about our Ateneo Law School Dean Joey Hofileña. His passing, even after weeks in the ICU, is difficult to accept,” La Viña said in his Facebook page on Friday.
“Dean Joey was brilliant, hardworking, creative, kind, passionate, and compassionate. He was the best practitioner of magis and cura personalis. He loved his students and us, his faculty, in ALS with the fullest love and affection, as he did with his friends in Ateneo, Sycip, and PALS [Philippine Association of Law Schools],” he added.
Lawyer and TV personality Mel Sta. Maria also paid tribute to Hofileña in a Facebook post on Friday.
“Joey was more than just a legal mind; he was a man of deep decency and quiet wisdom. He lived the words of the Prayer for Generosity every day of his life. He gave without counting the cost, fought without heeding the wounds, and labored without asking for any reward other than knowing he was doing God’s will,” Sta. Maria wrote.
“As our Dean, he led with a dedication that was both fierce and humble. He was truly Lux in Domino—a light in the Lord—guiding our alma mater with integrity. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Dean Joey Hofileña. His legacy remains written in the hearts of the many students and lawyers he inspired,” he added.
Hofileña is survived by his wife Chay Florentino-Hofileña, head of the investigative desk of Rappler.