Duterte receives honorary doctorate from top Russian school

MOSCOW, Russia — President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by one of Russia’s leading schools for future diplomats.

LOOK: Moscow State Institute of International Relations confers honorary doctorate degree to Duterte (📸MPC Pool) | @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/yuXRD3w7Hp

— Christia Ramos (@christiaramos_) October 5, 2019

He was supposed to receive the doctorate degree from the same institution during his previous visit to Russia in 2017.

However, before he was able to do so, he cut short his visit and he flew back to the Philippines due to a terror attack in Marawi City.

READ: Update: Duterte cuts short Russia trip, back in PH by 5pm Wednesday

This is the first honorary doctorate Duterte accepted since he assumed office.

In 2017, Duterte declined the offer of the University of the Philippines (UP) to confer him the Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa.

READ: Duterte says no to UP honorary degree

After Duterte received his honorary doctorate, he then met with the Filipino community, his last official engagement in his five-day visit to Russia. /je