Jinggoy to take up leadership studies at Harvard

DOHA, Qatar – Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada will be taking up further studies on leadership at the Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University in Boston.

Estrada, who is here on a four-day visit to attend the Filipino community’s celebration of the 113th Philippine Independence Day, said he will be leaving for the US last week of the month to study at Harvard, one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in the world.

Estrada told The STAR that during his first few weeks at the Senate he felt intimidated with the presence of great senators.

“I also felt intimidated with the likes of Senate (President) Juan Ponce Enrile and the other veteran senators. During the first few months, I observed the Senate and my co-senators. I also started reading a lot. I also have good staff,” he said, noting that the Senate would be nothing without the veteran senators whom he also idolized.

“I cannot imagine the Senate without him (Enrile). Senate President Enrile is my mentor,” Estrada said.

Enrile was also the recognized mentor of Estrada’s father, former President Joseph Estrada.

In his campaign during the May 2010 presidential elections, the elder Estrada admitted that Enrile, who was included in his senatorial ticket, used to guide him about the proper procedures in the Senate, especially during committee hearings and when they were at the session hall of the Old Senate building in Manila.

At that time Enrile and Estrada, who were seatmates at the Senate, were the only oppositions.