Manila council eyes EARIST probe

For denying transgenders enrollment

MANILA, Philippines — The city council of Manila is planning to investigate reports of the city-funded Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) denying enrollment to transgenders unless they cut their hair short, lawmakers said on Thursday.

A video of such an incident was posted on X by the EARIST chapter of LGBTQIA+ group Bahaghari, earning the ire of netizens.

In a privilege speech during a city council session on Thursday, District 4 Councilor Joel Villanueva called on the council to recommend to Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan “the strict implementation and enforcement of Ordinance 8695,” a measure passed in 2020 meant to protect members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“I move that the administration of EARIST be required to explain its side on the matter in observance of due process, but in doing so we must stress to the said school the importance of Ordinance 8695 and that any violation and disregard of the same will not be countenanced today and in the future,” Villanueva said.

“It pains me to know that a school subsidized by the city government is the one violating our ordinance,” he said in his speech.

EARIST is among three higher education institutions funded by the city government, along with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Universidad de Manila.

District 5 Councilor Jaybee Hizon proposed that the city council’s committee on oversight, which he chairs, and the committee on education lead an investigation.

It is unclear if the investigation would prosper since there was no resolution filed before the city council during Thursday’s session.

‘Fixed, tied’

 In a statement issued yesterday, EARIST said it would allow students with long hair to be admitted provided their hair is fixed.

 “All students were, and are allowed to enroll for the second semester of school year 2023-2024, regardless of gender and particularly of how they wear and manage their hair, provided that those with long hair have them properly fixed or tied,” it said.

 The school administration and representatives from its LGBTQIA+ groups will “convene again to discuss the possibility of a new set of implementing rules and regulations concerning enrollment.”