PBBM’S SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION BASIS FOR HONORARY DEGREE BY PLM  

MALACAÑANG on Monday cited the basis described by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in conferring President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. an honoris causa, stressing that an honorary degree recognizes an individual’s accomplishments and contributions rather than academic qualifications.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that an honoris causa is conferred as a distinction on individuals who have attained significant positions or made important contributions to their communities or the country.

“Ang titulong honoris causa ay isang honorary degree. Ito ay isang pagkilala o parangal para sa taong mataas ang naabot na posisyon, may mga mahalagang naiambag sa komunidad o mga nagawa para sa bansa,” Castro said.

Castro added that an honoris causa is not an academic degree earned through the usual course of study or professional examinations.

“At hindi ito nakukuha sa pamamagitan ng tradisyonal na pag-aaral, pagpasok sa law school o pagpasa sa bar examination,” she said.

The Palace Press Office mentioned President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, address corruption, secure fuel and fertilizer supplies amid the Middle East conflict, and protect the welfare of Filipinos facing legal difficulties abroad.

“Huwag natin kalimutan ang pagtindig pa lamang ng ating Pangulo, Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa karapatan natin sa West Philippine Sea, ang pagpapaputol ng 300-meter floating barrier na inilagay ng China Coast Guard sa Scarborough Shoal noong September 2023 para harangin ang ating mangingisda na makapasok at makapangisda sa traditional fishing lagoon ay isang gawain ng isang matapat na leader,” she noted.

Castro added, “Ang pagkilala sa halaga ng buhay ng bawat tao, paggalang sa due process, at hindi pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, pagpapasimula sa pagpapaimbestiga sa isyu ng korapsyon.”

“Siguruhin na hindi mawawalan ng supply ng krudo ang bansa sa gitna ng krisis sa Middle East para hindi mahinto o madiskaril ang mga negosyo sa bansa,” she noted.

Castro added that President Marcos also ensured an adequate supply of fertilizer to protect farmers’ livelihood.

She noted that the President also saved overseas Filipino workers detained abroad, including those on death row.

“Ang masagip ang isang kababayan mula sa death row, sentensyang pinataw ng ibang bansa. Pagsagip sa 17 OFW sa Qatar sa kasong illegal assembly at sa 24 Filipinos na naka-detain sa Eastern Siberia sa Russia. Ito ay nagawa ng Pangulo dahil sa maganda niyang relasyon sa leaders ng Qatar at Russia,” the Palace Press Officer added.

Castro also urged those expressing opposition to the President or commenting on the issue based on social media discussions to consider the full context and nature of the recognition before drawing conclusions.

“Mahalagang malinawan ang ibang kababayan natin na naloloko ng iba, gamit ang fake news o ng pagiging mapagmataas lamang,” Castro said.

In conferring the honorary degree, PLM cited the President’s support, particularly for the construction of the PLM Allied Health Sciences Building, through the conversion and retrofitting of the old Ospital ng Maynila facility.

President Marcos himself attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the building in February.

“I stand by the principle that the honor was conferred in grateful recognition of the President’s support for education and for the construction of the PLM Medicine and Allied Sciences Building,” PLM’s Board of Regents (BOR) chair Edward Serapio said in a statement on Saturday.