Marcos: Special diploma from Oxford is same as bachelor's degree

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday insisted that he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oxford in England.

In an interview on radio dzMM's "Ikaw na ba? Para sa Pamilyang Pilipino," Marcos said that after questions were raised on his academic background last year, he flew to England and personally went to Oxford, where he received a certificate confirming his degree.

"'This is to certify that Ferdinand Marcos has completed BA degree in Social Sciences,'" he said, quoting the certificate.

It was brought up during the interview, however, that what the university actually wrote was that Marcos was awarded a special diploma in Social Studies: "We can confirm that a Ferdinand Marcos matriculated at the University of Oxford in 1975 to read for a BA in Philosophy, Philosophy and Economics. According to our records, he did not complete his degree, but was awarded a special diploma in Social Studies in 1978."

Marcos then clarified that he changed courses. "Ah, oo. Nagpalit ako ng kurso. Kasi ang sabi ko Politics, Philosophy and Economics yan eh, sabi ko eh bagsak naman ito lagi, politics eh. So, sabi ko, gagawin ko na lang Political Science. Sabi nila, kung ganun ang gawin mo, lumipat ka na lang sa kabilang course," he said.

Asked if there is a difference between a degree and a special diploma, he said: "I suppose there are differences, but ang ending nun is that it is a bachelor's degree."

Radio dzMM, January 21, 2016