President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives an honorary Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during its 58th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Aug. 27, 2026. Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during the university’s 58th Commencement Exercises on Thursday.
PLM conferred its highest honorary degree on Marcos at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, citing his administration’s efforts in economic development, education, public health and social equity.
Marcos described the recognition as an affirmation of a principle shared by his administration and the university.
“Education must remain a pathway to opportunity, a catalyst for progress, and a cornerstone of nation-building,” Marcos said.
The university also presented Marcos with a miniature replica of its seated statue of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal as a memento.
Marcos noted his family’s connection to PLM, where First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos previously taught at the College of Law.
Turning to his administration’s education programs, Marcos said the government continued to implement free college and technical-vocational education programs, particularly for students from disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors.
He said 2.62 million students had benefited from the Free Higher Education program, while financial assistance remained available through programs such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Tulong Dunong Program.
“Every Filipino who completes higher education or training represents far more than a diploma or a certificate earned,” Marcos said, adding that completing higher education could improve a person’s employment prospects and give families greater opportunities for a better future.