The five students brought out their banners bearing "Oust Gloria" when Ermita was called to the stage as guest speaker during the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)’s graduation rites at the World Trade Center.

As Ermita took the podium, the anti-government students stood from their seats and walked below the stage raising their banners, startling the Palace official, students, and parents attending the affair.

The students, however, were not arrested and were just advised to return to their seats by school officials.

Unfazed by the protest of the militant students, Ermita carried on with his speech before 2,500 graduating students at the state-run PUP affair. Ermita, speaking to reporters after the event, brushed aside the protests of the militant students saying he does not take this kind of protest "seriously."

"Akala ko wine-welcome ako," Ermita said, bursting into laughter. "I don’t take this thing very seriously. Siyempre may gusto magpatawag pansin," he added.

In the past years, President Arroyo has been heckled by anti-government activists in several official engagements, including once in a graduation ceremony in Cavite City. Members of the Presidential Security Group were quick to arrest the protesters on alarm and scandal charges.