The school principal in Antique who drew backlash for ordering senior high school students to remove their graduation togas has been relieved from her post, Malacañang announced Friday.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed the removal of Venus Divinia Nietes, principal of Col. Ruperto Abellon National School (CRANS), due to her conduct during the April 15 graduation ceremony.
“Dahil na rin po sa naging direktiba po ng Pangulo, agaran pong kumilos ang ating secretary, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, at ang sinasabi pong guro ay tinanggal na po bilang principal sa nasabing eskuwelahan,” said Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Nietes, however, retains her teaching license and was only removed as CRANS principal. Any further disciplinary action will be determined by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Castro said DepEd Secretary Angara acted swiftly, and the principal’s behavior will continue to be monitored. Nietes claimed the students failed to follow DepEd Order 9, which calls for simple, meaningful graduation ceremonies with no collection of fees, including for togas.
The incident, captured on video, went viral and sparked criticism from the public and government officials.
To facilitate Nietes’ relief despite the ongoing election ban on the transfer of public officials, Secretary Angara requested and secured an exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), approved on April 24.