CHED open to ‘lived names’

MANILA, Philippines — Seeing no legal impediment in adopting various universities’ policy, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is open to issuing a measure recognizing students’ lived names during graduation rites.

Provided that official records will not be altered, the CHED “does not see any restrictions needed for this,” Makati Rep. Monique Lagdameo said on Sept. 23.

During House deliberations on the CHED’s proposed 2027 budget, Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña explained that lived names are important to queer people “as the names on their birth certificates may not be what they live with.”

Many schools have allowed the use of lived names during graduation rites, including the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine Normal University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and University of the Philippines, Cendaña said.