Malacañang has defended President Marcos for receiving honoris causa amid criticisms, saying it was given to him in recognition of his contrubutions as the higest-ranking official in the country.

Last week, Marcos received honoris causa, the highest honorary degree of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, when he graced the university's 58th commencement exercises. 

The feat has since drawn criticism.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the honorary degree is not earned through traditional academic studies, attending law school, or passing the bar examinations.

"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 (The title honoris causa is an honorary degree. It is a form of recognition or distinction given to a person who has attained a high position, made significant contributions to the community, or accomplished something of importance for the country)," Castro said on Monday, Aug. 31. 

"At hindi ito nakukuha sa pamamagitan ng tradisyonal na pag-aaral, pagpasok sa law school, o pagpasa sa bar examinations (It is not earned through traditional academic studies, attending law school, or passing the bar examinations)," Castro explained. 

The Palace official stressed that perhaps many "do not fully understand the term honoris causa."

She also alleged that some of those criticizing the President for receiving the honorary degree are "obstructionists at destabilizers."

"Ang mga tumutuligsa rito ay mga taong kung hindi man mapagmataas ay mga kumakalaban sa Pangulo, the usual obstructionists at destabilizers, o yung mga sumasakay lang sa nakikita sa social media, pero hindi nauunawaan ang totoong issue (Those criticizing it are people who, if not being arrogant, are either opposed to the President, the usual obstructionists and destabilizers, or simply jumping on the bandwagon based on what they see on social media without understanding the real issue)," Castro said.

With this, the Palace spokesperson underscored the need to clarify it to prevent people from being misled. 

"Mahalagang malinawan ibang kababayan natin na naloloko ng iba gamit ang fake news o ng pagiging mapagmataas lamang (It is important to clarify this for our fellow Filipinos who may be misled by others through fake news or simply because of arrogance)," Castro said.

Castro cited several actions Marcos has taken during his presidency that make him worthy of the recognition.

"Huwag natin kalimutan ang pagtindig pa lamang ng ating Pangulong, Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa karapatan natin sa West Philippine Sea (Let us not forget how our President, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has stood up for our rights in the West Philippine Sea)," Castro said.

"Ang pagpaputol 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 (The removal of the 300-meter floating barrier installed by the China Coast Guard at Scarborough Shoal in September 2023 to prevent our fishermen from entering and fishing in their traditional fishing lagoon was an act of a steadfast leader)," Castro added. 

She also cited Marcos' move to initiate investigations into corruption allegations and his response to the fuel crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

Castro further mentioned the actions taken for distressed and displaced overseas Filipino workers in Qatar and Russia.