ILOILO CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) is investigating a high school principal in Antique province for ranting during an April 15 graduation ceremony and ordering the removal of the student's togas.

A SCREENSHOT from the viral video of a high school principal in Laua-an town, Antique province ordering graduates to remove their togas.
The DepEd Central Office has initiated an investigation to verify facts and determine accountability of Venus Divinia Nietes of Col. Ruperto Abellon National High School in Laua-an town.
“The Department regrets that this occasion, which should have been a moment of pride, became a source of distress for learners and their families,” said DepEd in a statement released on Maundy Thursday, April 17.
Viral videos showed Nietes ranting on stage after seeing several graduating senior high school students wearing togas and ordered them removed as this was not the instruction of the school.
Nietes further claimed that graduating students are only supposed to wear their school uniforms and a sablay.
In the video, the students were heard saying: “Toga! Toga! Toga!”
Nietes publicly threatened students that they will not get their diplomas as the students have to go to her office one by
one
DepEd said there is no ban on wearing togas during graduation ceremonies.
Instead, the DepEd claimed the guideline “encourages simplicity, promotes inclusivity and ease financial burden on families."