THE principal of a school in Laua-an, Antique who ordered graduating students to remove their togas during a commencement ceremony has been relieved of her post, Malacañang announced Friday.
Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said Education Secretary Sonny Angara reported to the Palace that the school official had already been removed from her position following the President’s directive.
“Following the President’s directive, Education Secretary Sonny Angara acted swiftly, and the teacher in question has been removed as principal of the said school,” Castro said.
The incident took place on April 15, 2025, at Colonel Ruperto Abellon National High School in Laua-an, Antique, where the principal announced that students should not wear togas in accordance with DepEd’s guidelines to keep graduation rites simple.
Castro clarified that while the principal has been removed from her administrative post, she is still allowed to teach in other schools as her teaching license remains valid.
She added that Malacañang will leave it up to the Department of Education to determine whether the principal will face administrative charges or if her removal from the post is already deemed sufficient.
