MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office in Antique has directed the principal of a Colonel Ruperto Abellon National School in Laua-an town to provide an explanation regarding a disturbance during its graduation ceremony involving the required attire.
The incident was captured on video and is now circulating on social media.
In the viral video, the principal can be seen speaking on the school stage in the middle of the graduation program, scolding the graduating class for wearing graduation togas that were allegedly not agreed upon.
She ordered the students to remove their togas and wear only their school uniforms and sashes. Further, she instructed the class advisers to list down the names of students who violated the supposed dress code.
Posted by Antique News Update Today on Tuesday, April 15, 2025
“We are training our learners to be disciplined and obedient to authority… I don’t want our learners to be bastos,” she said.
However, while she was speaking, a man wearing a yellow Barong Tagalog appeared to intervene.
The video also captured the principal pointing her finger at the man she was talking to, until a woman dressed in a Filipiniana approached to stop the commotion and led the man away, as the disturbance was already being witnessed by everyone.
Profanities can also be heard in the circulating videos, seemingly coming from some of the students being scolded by the principal.
The Schools Division of Antique issued a statement regarding the issue, last April 16.
“The Schools Division of Antique is saddened by the incident that happened in COL. RUPERTO ABELLON NATIONAL SCHOOL (CRANS), Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique, on April 15, 2025, during the conduct of the End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites,” they said.
“This Office has already organized an Investigation Team and ordered the School Head and other concerned officials to submit an incident report with appropriate intervention plan. These documents will act as references for the necessary action to be taken by this Office.”
“The investigation is currently ongoing and further updates shall be issued by this Office through appropriate channels. We are committed to providing a comprehensive and accurate account of the incident. Rest assured this Office treats this matter with utmost urgency, importance, and diligence.”
“While waiting for the incident reports from all concerned parties, we assure the public that this Office shall exhaust all means to ensure that affected learners will not be deprived of their rights and privileges as graduates, such as receiving their diplomas, certificates, and other credentials.”
“Moreover, appropriate interventions shall be implemented as soon as possible to ensure that learners’ mental and psychological needs shall be appropriately addressed.”
Lastly, the DepEd Main Office stated that the incident has reached their attention and clarified that the use of graduation togas or sablay (academic sash) during End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites is not prohibited but rather optional.
"For clarification, DepEd policy does not prohibit the wearing of togas. There is no prohibition under DepEd Memorandum No. 27, s. 2025 and under DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2023, the prescribed attire for graduation and moving-up ceremonies includes casual or formal wear or the school uniform. The toga or sablay may be worn as an optional supplementary garment," the department reiterates.
Additionally, "DepEd reiterates its directive to all school officials to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, and respect in implementing policies, ensuring at all times the protection of the rights and dignity of every learner."
DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2023, revised the protocols for holding end-of-school-year ceremonies under the K to 12 basic education program.
“Casual or formal wear, or school uniform, shall remain as the recommended moving up or graduation attire. Toga or ‘sablay’ can be worn as an additional garb,” it says.
The DepEd also directed the involved principal to provide an explanation of the incident as part of their intervention and investigation.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
