Kabataan Partylist Representative Renee Co pushed back Tuesday against Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, maintaining that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is unfit to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).

Co reiterated her opposition to the university’s decision, arguing that bestowing the honorary degree on Marcos disregards the human rights violations and financial losses associated with the martial law period under his father’s administration.

“There is no belittlement in not forgetting the violent martial law, its victims such as Liliosa Hilao of PLM, and the billions of pesos stolen by the Marcoses then and now,” Co said in a statement. “This coming 21 September, we will show what the youth learned about the past and the present.”

Co’s statement responded to earlier comments from Castro, a communications undersecretary, who defended the honor and questioned the lawmaker’s criticisms.

Castro argued that the degree recognized the President’s contributions, citing his administration’s stance on the West Philippine Sea, support for overseas Filipino workers affected by conflicts in the Middle East, and handling of the energy crisis.