Palace Defends Marcos' Honorary Degree Amid Criticism

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has defended President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. against criticisms over his honorary Doctor of Laws degree conferred by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). Palace press officer Claire Castro stated that an honorary degree is awarded for significant contributions to society, not academic completion. "Many perhaps don’t understand the term honoris causa. Those who criticize the President are either arrogant or those who oppose him – the usual obstructionists and destabilizers – or those who simply just ride on what they see on social media but don’t understand the real issue," Castro said. Castro highlighted the President’s initiatives, including his firm stance on the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, citing his order to remove the 300-meter floating barrier installed by the China Coast Guard on Panatag or Scarborough Shoal in September 2023. She added that Marcos, respecting human life and due process, is against the abuse of power and has initiated investigations into corruption issues. Further, she pointed to the President’s efforts to save a Filipino on death row and rescue Filipinos facing illegal assembly charges in Qatar, as well as 24 nationals detained in Eastern Siberia, Russia. Marcos has also ensured the country would not run out of fuel amid the conflict in the Middle East. According to a resolution by the PLM Board of Regents, Marcos “has demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing national development, upholding the rule of law, promoting social equity and fostering education opportunities for the youth.” However, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co criticized PLM for conferring the degree, citing longstanding corruption issues involving the Marcos family, among other concerns. PLM conferred the honorary degree on Marcos during the university’s 58th commencement exercises on Aug. 27.