The camp of presidential aspirant former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday, Oct. 23 stood by its claim that he obtained a special diploma from the University of Oxford, one of the world’s leading universities located in England.

“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,” stated lawyer Victor Rodriguez, Marcos’ chief of staff.

He stressed: “Presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos has always been forthright on his conferment of a special diploma in social studies by the distinguish(ed) university and has never misrepresented his Oxford education.”

Rodriguez issued the statement after the Oxford Philippine Society, an organization of Filipino students and alumni of one of the oldest universities in the world said that Marcos has failed to finish a degree in Oxford.

In his statement, Rodriguez attached a copy of the “Degree Confirmation” issued on March 31, 2015 by M.D. Sibly, deputy registrar of Oxford University.

The document verified that Marcos received a Special Diploma in Social Studies and completed the program from October 1, 1975 to July 1, 1978.

The OPS did not dispute the record, saying that the standard bearer of the Partido Federal ng Pilipina had indeed been awarded the said special diploma in 1978.

The group claimed that Oxford University issued a confirmation of their claim in 2015.

“Bongbong Marcos failed his Degree’s preliminary examinations at the first attempt. Passing the preliminary examinations is a pre-requisite for continuing one’s studies and completing a degree at Oxford University,” the OPS statement read.

Composed of nearly 200 Filipino students and alumni of Oxford University, the OPS said: “ We would like to emphasize that this statement is not a political statement. We are making this statement in aid of public discourse in a time where disinformation and fake news are prevalent.”