For advocates, CHED’s openness to lived names policy brings hope

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has expressed openness to discussing a policy that would allow transgender and queer college students to use their lived names during graduation ceremonies, bringing hope to advocates. Lived names are the chosen names of individuals used in daily life, different from their legal names. “CHED actually does not see any legal impediment. CHED is, in fact, very open to a discussion regarding this,” Makati City 1st District Representative Monique Lagdameo said on September 23 , during the plenary deliberations on the commission’s proposed 2027 budget in the House of Representatives. Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña brought the matter to the plenary after the Polytechnic University of the Philippines committed to allow its trans graduates to be recognized using their lived names during commencement exercises.

A similar policy was also implemented in other institutions such as the University of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine Normal University, De La Salle University, and Ateneo de Manila University, according to Cendaña. However, Lagdameo, who spoke on behalf of CHED as its budget sponsor, noted that official records would still reflect the students’ names based on their birth certificates. “I think maganda rin po itong way (this is a good way) for us to really navigate, how to literally open our minds and open our government into accepting and fully recognizing trans people and queer individuals with their lived name as well,” said Jira Samson, 22, who was not permitted to use her lived name during her graduation ceremony. In an interview with Rappler, Samson, who recently graduated from Batangas State University, said the possible policy may benefit her “trans-siblings” who…