Davao City Vice Mayor and presidential son Paolo Duterte on Wednesday slammed groups who criticized the University of the Philippines' decision to confer an honorary doctorate degree to his father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

"To the so-called learned individuals who frown upon the plan of the University of the Philippines to grant an honorary doctorate degree to the President, you can have that honorary degree for all we care," the younger Duterte said in a statement.

"Being elected as president is enough recognition. No other recognition or honorary degrees could eclipse that," he added.

The Davao City vice mayor also hinted that the President "does not give a heck with any honorary degree" and will most likely turn down the award "simply because he knows he did not work hard for such a degree."

"All throughout the years of his public life, President Rodrigo Duterte has always shied away from public recognitions... He has always been a simple man, satisfied with what he has," the presidential son said.

Despite the President's expected refusal to accept the award, Duterte clarified that their family is thankful to the UP Board of Regents for considering the first Mindanaoan chief executive for the honorary degree.

UP's honorary degree is traditionally given to the country's head of state.

UP Vice President for Public Affairs Jose Dalisay Jr. earlier said UP has conferred honorary Doctor of Laws degrees on most Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines:

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).

Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were also offered honorary degrees, but Dalisay said they could find no record of their official replies, if any, regarding the conferment.