A Filipino lawyer received an award for academic excellence and leadership from the prestigious Harvard University in the United States late last month.
Lawyer Gerard Mosquera received the 2010 Lucius N. Littauer Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government last May 25.
"I plan to continue to do work that will help fight corruption, promote transparency and accountability, and improve governance, either in government or as an active member of the civil society," Mosquera said after receiving the award.
The award is the highest recognition given by the Harvard Kennedy School for exemplary academic achievement, public service and leadership.
Mosquera holds a Masters degree in Public Administration and was at the top five percent of Harvard Kennedy School’s Class of 2010, with 577 students from 80 countries.
Mosquera, a native of General Santos City, made a name for himself in anti-corruption work.
Since 2005, he has served as Chief of Party of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s anti-corruption program in Timor-Leste.
He also served as technical adviser for anti-corruption to the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor.
In the Philippines, he briefly served as Director in the Office of the Ombudsman.
Mosquera placed second in the 1992 Bar Examinations, and holds a Masters of Law degree from Kings College London and graduated with honors from the Ateneo School of Law.
He once served as Integrated Bar of the Philippines chapter president for General Santos City and South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces.
He has four children with wife Myra. — LBG, GMANews.TV
