Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano has had his share of controversies and challenges. But he has emerged from each wiser and with more grit, showing others how in the world of politics, you need more than just a tough shell to survive.

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Keeping in Line
Soriano has been a man of the badge since he was 16 years old, having been accepted into the scholarship program of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), belonging to Magilas Class of 1976.

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     “My family nor relatives did not come from the armed service or government service, so I was the first. I decided to join the PMA because since I was young, I have always wanted to help others,” reveals Soriano. He took the exam, and when he passed, he knew he could use the service as a vehicle to help his fellowmen.

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     Apart from being in the service, Soriano had dreams of becoming a lawyer, too. After graduating from the PMA, he took up law at Xavier University (now Ateneo de Cagayan), and then passed the 1983 Bar Exam. “Becoming a lawyer was necessary for me because I knew that it would help me in my career in law enforcement.”

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     Years after, he took up his Master in Public Administration and Master in Business Administration degrees at Saint Paul University of the Philippines. He also took up Master in Management at Philippine Christian University. He also finished his PhD in Peace and Security Administration (United Nations sponsored program) at Bicol
University.

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     Throughout this time, he sacrificed a lot for his dream—which also entailed him not seeing his family for long periods of time due to the distance of his home. “The hardest thing [about my work] was being away from my wife and kids. I am blessed that as a family, we support each other in our life goals,” he added.

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