Oxford University confirmed on Wednesday that presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did not receive a full graduate diploma more than 40 years ago.
“We can confirm that a Ferdinand Marcos matriculated at the University of Oxford in 1975 to read for a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. According to our records, he did not complete his degree, but was awarded a Special Diploma in Social Studies in 1978,” Oxford said in an email to GMA News Online.
The special diploma, which the university no longer offers, was open to both undergraduates and graduates.
“Non-University members could also read for it under certain circumstances. There is no recorded link between the BA and the Special Diploma, and the Special Diploma was not a full graduate Diploma,” it said.
Marcos’ camp has maintained that the former senator obtained a degree from Oxford, one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
“We stand by the degree confirmation which was issued by the University of Oxford. It is up to anyone to question or challenge this with the said university if they so please,” Marcos’ spokesperson Vic Rodriguez said in a statement on October 23.
Rodriguez also said that Marcos “has always been forthright on his conferment of a special diploma in social studies by the distinguished university and has never misrepresented his Oxford education.”
The Oxford Philippines Society earlier said that Marcos had no degree from the university.
The group of Filipino students and alumni of the university issued the statement as it expressed concern over what it called “continuing misinformation” as regards the former senator’s academic background. — VBL, GMA News
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