President Marcos received the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, the highest honorary degree of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), during the university's 58th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Thursday, Aug. 27.

In his speech, Marcos said he accepted the recognition with gratitude and a renewed sense of responsibility, stressing that education must remain a pathway to opportunity, a catalyst for progress, and a cornerstone of nation-building.

“I receive this honor with gratitude, mindful of the responsibility that comes with it,” he said.

The Chief Executive said the recognition affirms a principle that the Marcos Administration shares with the PLM — that education must remain a pathway to opportunity, a catalyst for progress, and a cornerstone of nation-building.

Marcos said the event’s theme, “Mga Makabagong Pantas Taglay ang Karunungan Tungo sa Kadakilaan at Kaunlaran,” captures the purpose of education by transforming knowledge into wisdom, and wisdom into excellence, progress, and service.

“May your learning be guided by wisdom, your success measured by the lives that you uplift, and your achievements dedicated to the progress of our nation,” he told the graduates.

The President also noted PLM's special place in his family because First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos once taught at its College of Law, saying her years at the university gave the family firsthand knowledge of its commitment to shaping future Filipino professionals.

Marcos said he accepted the honorary degree with a renewed commitment to the values championed by PLM—“Karunungan, Kaunlaran, Kadakilaan,” or wisdom, progress, and greatness—and urged the graduates to use what they had learned to help build a stronger, more prosperous, and more compassionate Philippines.

President Marcos said in his speech that the administration remains committed to the full and effective implementation of Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, including expanding higher education opportunities and government financial assistance.

He said free higher education now benefits 2.62 million students, while scholarship and financial assistance programs include the Tertiary Education Subsidy, the Tulong Dunong Program, and the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program for outstanding senior high school graduates pursuing priority degree programs.

The President also said the government was strengthening technical-vocational education and training through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide young Filipinos with pathways suited to their skills and aspirations.

According to Marcos, access to education should mean more than simply entering a university, as students must also receive the support needed to complete their studies and realize the opportunities that a college education can provide.

“Every Filipino who completes higher education or training represents far more than a diploma or a certificate earned,” he said, noting that such achievements can give individuals a fairer chance to succeed, bring families closer to a better future, and equip workers with knowledge and skills for greater opportunities.

The President said PLM's history demonstrated that talent is universal and that opportunities should not be limited by a person's circumstances in life.

The ceremony was attended by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, PLM officials, faculty members, graduates, parents, and other government officials.