The presidential son, Paolo Duterte, chides critics of his father.
PAOLO DUTERTE – The presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte defended President Rodrigo Roa Duterte from his critics over the issue of honorary doctorate degree offered by University of the Philippines to the Chief Executive.
Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte chided the critics of his father based on a recent report in ABS-CBN News.
The presidential son addressed his statement to those who are not in favor of the move of the University to confer Doctor of Law degree to the head of the state.
“You can have that honorary degree for all we care,” Paolo expressed.
According to him, there are no other recognition that could outshine the presidency. The younger Duterte stated that ‘being elected as president is enough recognition.’
Based on the news report, the Davao City Vice Mayor expressed that Pres. Duterte will, most likely, not accept the offer of the University for the reason that he did not toil for such recognition.
The presidential son said that his father has always remained a ‘simple man’ and goes away from recognition. Nevertheless, the younger Duterte made it clear that they are grateful for the offer of the UP Board of Regents (BOR) to their father.
Based on the report, 13 former heads of the state were granted the honorary doctorate degree in the past. Jose Dalisay Jr., the Vice President for Public Affairs of the University, expressed that most of the Chief Executives were granted the Doctor of Laws degree.
The following is the list of the Presidents who were granted the said degree based on the report.
1. Manuel L. Quezon (March 16, 1929);
2. Sergio Osmeña (March 25, 1930);
3. Manuel A. Roxas (April 13, 1948);
4. Elpidio Quirino (Feb. 12, 1949);
5. Emilio Aguinaldo (June 12, 1953);
6. Ramon Magsaysay (April 5, 1955);
7. Carlos P. Garcia (April 7, 1959);
8. Diosdado Macapagal (May 30, 1965);
9. Ferdinand Marcos (May 22, 1966);
10. Jose P. Laurel Sr. (April 20, 1969—posthumous);
11. Corazon Aquino (April 20, 1986);
12. Fidel V. Ramos (April 24, 1993); and
13. Benigno Aquino III (April 17, 2011).
Based on a previous news report, it is already a part of the tradition that the highest policy making body of the University offers Doctor of Law degree to the head of the State.
Former Pres. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III was also granted the said recognition when he was the commencement speaker during the University’s graduation.
