Antique Principal Removed After Graduation Toga Controversy

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The principal of a high school in Antique has been removed from her post following public backlash over her order for students to remove their togas during a graduation ceremony.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the immediate removal of Venus Divinia Nietes, then-principal of Col. Ruperto Abellon National High School in Laua-an, Antique.

Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro confirmed the decision on Friday, April 25, 2025, during a press briefing.

“Upon the directive of the president, Education Secretary [Juan Edgardo] Angara moved swiftly and removed the teacher as principal of the school,” Castro said.

Castro clarified that while Nietes was removed from her administrative post, the revocation of her teaching license is not under the president’s or education secretary’s authority.

“She may still be allowed to teach, but her conduct will be reviewed,” Castro said. “That’s important because she is an educator.”

She added that any administrative cases against Nietes are still under review.

The Department of Education launched an investigation on April 17 after videos of the April 15 graduation ceremony went viral.

In the footage, Nietes is seen ordering students to remove their togas mid-ceremony, insisting they violated the school’s official graduation dress code.

All 249 graduates had already been conferred their diplomas but were expected to wear only their school uniforms, a sablay (a traditional sash), and a ribbon, according to Nietes.

She reportedly threatened to call the police on students who refused to comply and warned that disobedience could prevent diploma issuance.

DepEd later clarified that its policies do not prohibit the wearing of togas.

DepEd Memorandum No. 27, series of 2025, and DepEd Order No. 009, series of 2023, allow students to wear school uniforms, casual, or formal attire for graduation.

Togas and sablays may be worn as optional supplementary garments to promote simplicity and ease financial pressure on families.

“These policies must be applied with compassion and should never lead to the embarrassment or exclusion of any learner,” DepEd said in a statement.