The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has signaled openness to a measure that would let university graduates be called by the names they actually live with, rather than the names on their birth certificates. The stance was voiced during deliberations over the 2027 CHED budget, with legislators stressing that official records would remain unchanged while ceremony-time usage could be adapted.
Representative Monique Lagdameo of Makati, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, explained that CHED sees no legal barrier to the proposal. She added that the commission is ready to discuss the details with interested parties, provided that the integrity of government databases such as those maintained by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is preserved.
Legislative push and key advocates
During a House hearing on September 23, Rep. Lagdameo reiterated that the policy would be purely ceremonial, leaving formal documentation untouched. Akbayan party-list Representative Percival Cendaña, meanwhile, highlighted the personal significance of a lived name for queer Filipinos, noting that many individuals’ legal names do not reflect their gender identity or chosen self-identification.
Cendaña cited the growing number of higher-education institutions that already allow students to use their preferred names at graduation. He pointed to Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine Normal University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and the University of the Philippines as examples of campuses where the practice has taken root.
Universities leading the way
At PUP, the decision to let graduates hear their lived names announced during the valedictory ceremony set a precedent that resonated across the sector. Similar policies have been adopted by private and public schools alike, signaling a shift toward more inclusive academic cultures. These schools assert that the practice does not alter the student’s legal identity; rather, it respects the way individuals present themselves to peers, families and future employers.
Student groups have long championed such reforms, arguing that the mismatch between legal documents and everyday identity can cause emotional distress. By allowing a name that aligns with a person’s gender expression to appear on the stage, institutions aim to validate the lived experiences of transgender, non-binary and queer scholars.
Legal context and the Sharmaine Bill
The conversation intersects with the pending Sharmaine Bill a legislative effort named after a viral social-media campaign that sought to rename an orange fruit. The bill would task the PSA with processing name-change or gender-recognition petitions without attaching annotations that might “out” a person. If passed, applicants could obtain an updated birth certificate reflecting their chosen name and gender.
While the Sharmaine Bill addresses the formal side of identity documentation, CHED’s proposed rule stays within the ceremonial realm. Both initiatives, however, share the goal of reducing bureaucratic friction for LGBTQIA+ Filipinos. Critics caution that any alteration to official records must be coordinated with the PSA to avoid mismatches in student enrollment, scholarships and government reporting.
Visibility at the Pride Festival
The policy discussion gained additional momentum during the Love Lab4n Pride PH Festival held on June 27 at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Organizers unfurled a 200-foot rainbow flag, drawing media attention and highlighting the broader push for LGBTQIA+ rights in education. The festival served as a backdrop for lawmakers like Lagdameo and Cendaña to voice support for inclusive language in academic ceremonies.
Student advocates view the possible CHED guideline as a natural extension of the pride celebrations, arguing that institutional acceptance reinforces the messages displayed during the event. The convergence of budget talks, legislative advocacy and campus-level practice underscores how policy can evolve when multiple stakeholders align.
As the 2027 budget continues to circulate in the House, CHED has not set a definitive rollout date for the new rule. Stakeholders await further clarification on how the commission will reconcile ceremonial name usage with existing PSA data. Nonetheless, the prevailing sentiment among LGBTQIA+ groups is one of cautious optimism: a formal acknowledgment from the nation’s highest higher-education authority could pave the way for broader societal acceptance.
