Dole chief summons Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin over drownings, work permit
MANILA, Philippines — Following the drowning incident that killed two student basketball players, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino has summoned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin to prove his valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) and explain the team building activity in Aurora.
Tolentino noted that every foreign national employed in the Philippines is required to have a valid AEP issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), under Article 40 of the Labor Code of the Philippines and Dole Department Order No. 248, series of 2025.
READ: NBI creates task force to probe Ateneo student-athletes’ death
“I just issued a subpoena… On Monday at 10 a.m., I would like in my presence coach Tab Baldwin of Ateneo,” Tolentino said in a press conference on Thursday.
Aside from showing valid AEP, Tolentino said that Baldwin is required to present the following:
- valid employment contract with Ateneo consistent with the terms of the AEP;
- Proof that AEP covers full scope of his coaching and supervisory activities, including off-campus training activities such as the team building exercises in Aurora;
- Documentation showing compliance with Dole’s reporting requirements including notification of any change in position, workplace, or scope of work; and
- Written explanation of the June 8 team building in Aurora “including the nature of the activity, supervision arrangements, and safety protocols observed, as part of Dole’s broader investigation into the drowning incident.”
“If he is compliant, then there is nothing to fear. If he is not, then this Department will act accordingly. This is not about persecution. This is about the rule of the law,” Tolentino added.
However, Tolentino said that Baldwin may face the following consequences if he failed to appear on Monday or if the Dole finds out that he is working without a valid AEP or if his AEP does not cover the full scope of his activities:
- Cancellation of suspension of his AEP
- Referral of results to the Bureau of Immigration for actions, including possible deportation proceedings
- Assessment of administrative penalties against ADMU as his employing institution for failure to ensure the validity of his foreign working permits
- Filing of appropriate charges for violating the Labor Code
READ: Dole orders centralized processing of working permits for foreigners
Tolentino also said that the Dole currently has Baldwin’s AEP records. He then clarified that his physical appearance and explanation on Monday is needed “to provide him due process.”
Tolentino noted that Baldwin still has to show documents as the former recently signed an order for the centralization of processing AEP for foreigners. On Wednesday, the Dole announced that all of its regional officers were instructed to stop accepting, processing, and evaluating applications for the issuance of renewal of AEP.
The Dole central office in Intramuros, Manila will now be handling any procedures in relation to the foreign working permits.
Meanwhile, Tolentino said that other foreign nationals serving as coaches or heading different programs in other universities will not be summoned to have their working permits examined.
“We wanted to assess what happened here, and the documents he has proving that he is a legitimate foreign worker here in the Philippines,” he added.
A drowning incident during a team building in Aurora province on Monday claimed the lives of Blue Eagles basketball team members Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Acting Aurora provincial police director said that it was an accident and did not involve any foul play. /das
