Otso Diretso: Lying about a diploma makes one unfit to be senator

MALOLOS, Bulacan — Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos is not fit to be a senator for constantly lying about her college diploma, opposition candidates from the Otso Diretso coalition said on Friday. 

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay,  former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada and lawyer Romulo Macalintal were referring to Marcos' claims that she earned college degree and law degree in Princeton University and UP College of Law, respectively.

Both schools have since disputed Marcos' claims, saying they have no record showing she earned a degree from their institution.

"Kayo, alam niyo gaano kahirap magkaroon ng diploma. 'Yung isa riyan, graduate raw siya sa UP College of Law. Pero walang diploma. 'Yung isa riyan, graduate raw ng Princeton University. Pero walang diploma," Hilbay, who earned his law degree from the UP College of Law and was a bar topnotcher, said during Otso Diretso's forum with students at the Bulacan State University.

"Mapagkakatiwalaan niyo pa ba ang isang Senador na hindi man lang makuhang maging matapat tungkol sa simple ngunit importanteng bagay katulad ng diploma?" Hilbay added.

Macalintal and Tañada, for their part, argued that a public servant like a senator should be able to tell and face the truth.

"Kung sa maliit na bagay na diploma ay hindi mapagkatiwalaan, lalo na sa malaking bagay," Macalintal said.

"Ako, hindi ako nahihiyang sabihin na tatlong beses ako nag-take ng bar exam. Matapang po akong sabihin ang katotohanan, at importante po iyon sa isang kandidato," Tañada added.

Marcos has repeatedly refused to address questions about her lack of college diploma and a law degree.

Marcos is one of the 13 candidates of the administration-backed party Hugpong ng Pagbabago whose main campaigner is Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte, founder of Hugpong party and daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Thursday night, Sara said she would ask Marcos and members of the Hugpong staff to shed light about questions on Imee's school records. —LDF, GMA News