The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has spoken out against Assumption Iloilo after the latter released a set of rules defining immorality which included "homosexuality."

CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that schools are supposed to be a safe haven for children to learn and grow regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

She said a lot of students belonging to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community often feel unsafe and unsure in schools because they experience bullying and discrimination. These negative feelings are only exacerbated by the policies and practices of certain institutions.

"Assumption Iloilo, in adopting a definition of immorality that includes homosexuality, is complicit in discriminating children of diverse SOGIESC and runs counter to the notion that schools are safe spaces," said De Guia. "As a Christ-centered educational community, it is their moral responsibility to provide a more equal and accepting safe space for all students, regardless of gender expression and sexual orientation."

Assumption Iloilo clarified that their rules "pertain to acts" and not the individuals themselves. However, the CHR said that the institution remains complicit in the creation of threatening spaces for children of SOGIESC.

"This impacts student’s right to education and risks their mental health and well being by being stigmatized and discriminated against by the institution meant to protect them," said De Guia.

At the same time, the school listed "trial marriage" and "live in" situations as definitions of immorality and grounds for expulsion. In doing so, the CHR said they are discriminating against women and young girls, including solo parents, or students who are born out of wedlock.

The CHR stressed that this list runs counter to the provisions of the Magna Carta for Women which prohibits discrimination in educational institutions and the prohibition of dismissal on the basis of pregnancy.

"We remind the school administration of the Iloilo City Resolution 2016-572, the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, particularly of Section IV (2), which defines refusal and failing to accept as a student and subjecting a person to terms on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity as acts of discrimination and thus within the ambit of the said ordinance," De Guia told the school.

According to Section V of the same ordinance, any person who commits any of the acts prohibited shall be criminally liable and penalized accordingly and in the case of a juridical person, whether public or private, the manager, head and the officers thereof shall also be criminally accountable and responsible without prejudice to other liabilities, if any.

The CHR urged Assumption Iloilo to heed the statement of Assumption Batch of 2018 which unequivocally and bravely called out the institution for the discriminatory policy and recommended the adoption of a newer and more progressive policy.

"As educators and duty-bearers, it is within the mandate of the school to respect, promote, and protect human rights of the students and ensure a healthy environment conducive for all. It is also their mandate to heed the voices of their students," said De Guia.