MANILA — Senatorial aspirants from opposition ticket Otso Diretso on Friday took jibes at Imee Marcos amid recent reports disputing claims she graduated from two prestigious universities here and abroad.

Marcos, incumbent governor of Ilocos Norte, had claimed to have graduated from Princeton University and University of the Philippines (UP).

However, the Ivy League school's independent student newspaper Daily Princetonian quoted Princeton Deputy University Spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss saying "records do not show that Ms. Marcos was awarded a degree."

• No Princeton degree awarded to Imee Marcos, says report quoting school official

The country's premier state university also disclosed that Marcos had "no record of her graduation from UPD nor any honors or academic distinction received with the University Registrar's office."

• Imee Marcos did not graduate, no honors, from UP Diliman, says UP exec

During their campaign rally in Bulacan, opposition candidates Florin Hilbay and Erin Tañada questioned the integrity of Marcos, who is also seeking a Senate seat in the May polls.

"Iyung isa graduate daw ng UP College of Law, walang diploma. Graduate daw ng Princeton, walang diploma," said Hilbay, referring to Marcos.

"Ako ay bago hindi luma, may tunay na diploma pa," he added.

Admitting he took the Bar exam three times before passing, Tañada meanwhile said he cannot understand why Marcos insists on lying about her supposed degrees.

"Hindi po ako nahihiya sabihin na kumuha ako ng Bar exams nang tatlong beses bago ako pumasa. Ewan ko ba 'yung kandidato sa kabila bakit ayaw aminin na hindi siya grumaduate," Erin Tañada said.

• Imee Marcos insists she graduated from Princeton

In a Facebook post on Feb. 20, Marcos shared photos of her supposed graduation at the UP College of Law held at the Meralco Theater. It said her parents, the late strongman and then First Lady Imelda Marcos, "pinned her cum laude medal."

• Amid reports of dubious degree, Imee Marcos offers 'proof' of UP Law graduation

Marcos' academic record at UP drew questions following her unproven claim of earning a degree from the prestigious Princeton University with distinction.

In a December 2018 interview on DZMM radio, Marcos dodged the question, saying the issue was being thrown at her because it was the "election season" and that her "performance" record should speak for itself.