Nelson Morales

Claire Castro blasts Renee Co for criticizing honorary law degree for Marcos Jr.

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788164372811composites11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Revoli Cortez, PPA pool"/>Revoli Cortez, PPA pool</div>MANILA — Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday clapped back at Kabataan Rep. Renee Co for criticizing Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for bestowing an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.In a recorded message, Castro said many people did not seem to understand that the degree is meant to honor people for their achievements or their contributions to the community and the country. “Ang isa sa nakita natin bumatikos ay itong si Congressman Renee Co na wala nang nakita magandang ginawa ng pangulo,” Castro also said.(One of those we have seen criticize this is Congresswoman Renee Co who only sees bad things from the president.)She said she believes Co&#x27;s criticism of the award is part of a supposed &quot;goal&quot; to always be negative towards the administration. She also said in Filipino that Co&#x27;s criticism of the honoris cause degree shows &quot;intellectual weakness.&quot;<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/27/marcos-jr-receives-honorary-doctor-of-laws-1232">Marcos Jr. receives honorary Doctor of Laws </a></div>While Marcos Jr. did not earn a law degree, he has achieved other significant feats including upholding the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, arranging the safe return of several detained Filipinos overseas, and securing oil supply for the country through diplomatic channels, the Palace official said.She added Co has likely not done any of those thing and implied again that the former UP student regent does not know what &quot;honoris causa&quot; means.“Hindi lahat ng abugado na congressman o congresswoman ay masasabi nating honorable o may sense sa mga pananalita,&quot; Castro also said.(Not all congressmen or congresswomen who are lawyers can be said to be honorable or make sense.)Castro also said Co&#x27;s criticism reflects on her education.“Sa aking pagkakaalam, hindi itinuturo sa law schools ang maging arugante.”(Ad far as I know, arrogance isn&#x27;t taught in law school.)Castro gave the statement days after the Kabataan Party-List representative admonished the PLM, saying &quot;there is no honor in widespread corruption and criminal negligence.&quot;&quot;Paano masasabing huwaran si Marcos Jr. sa batas kung siya mismo ay nakinabang sa bilyon-bilyong nakaw niya at ng pamilya niya?&quot; Co also earlier said.(How can we hold up Marcos Jr. as an example of the law when he himself has benefited from the billions he and his family stole?)Co said the PLM honorary degree was not “a good example for our examinees rigorously studying law just days before the 2027 Bar examinations.&quot;She said she and the Filipino youth assert that Marcos Jr. &quot;does not deserve to hold a title that supposedly upholds and uplifts the law.&quot;

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday clapped back at Kabataan Rep. Renee Co for criticizing Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for bestowing an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday clapped back at Kabataan Rep. Renee Co for criticizing Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for bestowing an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.