Principal removed for ordering students to remove togas at graduation

Malacañang announced on Friday that the high school principal who ordered students to remove their togas during a graduation ceremony in Antique has been removed from her post.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro clarified that while Principal Venus Divinia Nietes' position as principal was revoked, her teaching license remains intact and unaffected.

DepEd confirmed there is no policy prohibiting students from wearing togas at graduation ceremonies, with DepEd Memorandum No. 27, s. 2025 and DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2023 allowing casual or formal wear, or school uniforms, making the toga optional.

In a viral video from the incident on April 15, the principal can be seen interrupting the graduation ceremony and instructing students to remove their togas, citing an alleged violation of DepEd's 'no collection' policy.

The Schools Division of Antique has formed an investigation team and ordered relevant officials to submit a report and intervention plan regarding the incident.