A group of Filipino students and alumni of Oxford University in the United Kingdom issued a statement emphasizing that Bongbong Marcos, son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, did not finish his degree from the university.
In a statement posted on their social media page on Friday, the Oxford Philippines Society said Marcos did not finish his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at the prestigious university, citing the confirmation made by the University of Oxford in 2015.
"We, students with Filipino roots and members of the Oxford Philippines Society, are concerned with the continuing misinformation relating to the academic qualifications of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr.," the group said in its statement.
The group noted that what Marcos has is a "Special Diploma" which is not a degree.
"Bongbong Marcos did not finish his Degree. This was officially confirmed by Oxford University in 2015 […] Bongbong Marcos has been awarded a Special Diploma in Social Studies in 1978. A Special Diploma is not a degree, and neither is it comparable, superior nor equivalent to one," it added.
In his previous appearances, Marcos maintained that he finished his political science degree at Oxford University despite the challenge of journalists to prove his claims since his name was not included on the university's list of graduates.
Meanwhile, the Oxford Philippines Society said the statement is aimed at preventing disinformation in light of the upcoming presidential elections next year.
"Such disinformation prevents Filipinos from exercising their democratic rights in a fair and meaningful way, and we believe every Filipino should have access to correct information as we prepare to vote in May 2022," the group said.
"The Oxford Philippines Society, together with its former members, is made up of almost 200 Filipino students and alumni of Oxford University. The Oxford Philippines Society is the only Filipino society registered with, and recognized by, Oxford University," it concluded.
As of writing, Marcos has yet to issue a statement on this matter.
Marcos has yet to issue a response.
In his failed vice presidential bid in 2016, Marcos confirmed his special diploma. He also said he did not finish his master's degree at the Wharton Business School in the University of Pennsylvania.
The former senator is the son and namesake of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
