“Respect must not only be written in our rules; it must be lived in how we speak, listen, and care for one another.” These words from Mr. Leonel C. Mendoza, OIC–Vice President for Research, Innovation, Technology, and Extension (RITE), captured the essence of the Review and Updating of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) Policy and Guidelines held at the College of Business and Management (CBM) Building, Mindoro State University (MinSU) Calapan City Campus on October 28, 2025.
Spearheaded by the Women, Gender, and Development (WGAD) Office, the activity highlighted MinSU’s commitment to uphold gender sensitivity, inclusivity, and human rights within the academic community. Administrators, faculty members, staff, and student leaders from across MinSU campuses participated, with Atty. Jean Phebie G. de Mesa, Attorney IV of the Provincial Legal Office, serving as the resource expert.
In an inspirational message delivered on behalf of University President Dr. Enya Marie D. Apostol, VP Mendoza reminded participants that gender-related laws such as the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, Safe Spaces Act, and Gender-Based Harassment in Higher Education Act are not merely institutional requirements but represent enduring commitments to dignity, respect, and safety. He illustrated this through the story of an imprisoned student who completed his education with the support of a compassionate university community.
“Inclusivity is not mere tolerance; it is the courage to see potential where others see limitations,” he said, urging the community to recognize and respond to discrimination and abuse.
VP Mendoza emphasized that Inclusivity - the “I” in the LIFT MinSU Agenda - is measured not by written policies but by daily acts of kindness, empathy, and fairness.
“Sa MinSU, walang maiiwan, walang mapag-iiwanan. Every MinSUan, regardless of gender, belief, background, or circumstance, deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected,” he added.
He also highlighted that CODI represents the University’s conscience, a mechanism reflecting MinSU’s collective responsibility to uphold justice and integrity.
Dr. Maria Majorie A. Castillo, Director for Women, Gender, and Development, explained that the policy review aligns existing mechanisms with national mandates, including the Safe Spaces Act, Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, and Magna Carta of Women.
“CODI is more than an administrative requirement, it is a living expression of our duty to safeguard the dignity and safety of every member of our University,” she said.
During her presentation, Atty. De Mesa elaborated on the legal foundations and procedural standards for CODI under CHED Memorandum Order No. 3, series of 2022 or Guidelines on Gender-Based Sexual Harassment (GBSH) in Higher Education Institutions, which governs the handling of gender-based sexual harassment cases in higher education institutions. She stressed the importance of prompt and confidential investigations, fairness and impartiality, and continuous training of CODI members.
She also encouraged MinSU to engage students in research on gender-related issues to collect data and better understand the realities on campus and craft evidence-based policies.
“Before we craft policies, we must first understand the realities on the ground,” she said.
WGAD Director Castillo announced that MinSU’s CODI Manual will soon be revised to reflect updated legal mandates and strengthen institutional responsiveness, taking into account the comments, suggestions, and recommendations gathered during the activity.
In his closing message, VP Mendoza called on the MinSU community to live out the values of inclusivity and respect in daily interactions.
In his closing message, VP Mendoza called on the MinSU community to embody the values of inclusivity and respect in their daily interactions. “Ang MinSU ay hindi lamang paaralan, ito ay tahanan. A home where respect is lived, where safety is shared, and where inclusivity is measured not by words alone, but by the compassion and integrity we show every day,” he said, urging everyone to practice the 3 M’s - Mabait, Maunawain, at Mapagmahal, alongside the University President’s 3 M’s mantra of Mahusay, Matino, at Mabuti, in every action, policy, and decision.
Through this activity, Mindoro State University continues to strengthen its culture of empathy, equality, and accountability, proving that at MinSU, respect is not just written, but lived.
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