The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a subpoena against Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin.
In a press conference on Thursday, June 11, DOLE Acting Secretary Francis Tolentino stated that Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin has been summoned to the office on Monday at 10:00 AM to explain his legal employment status in the country.
According to the secretary, under Article 40 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, the Labor Department has the power and authority to examine the employment status of any foreigner in the country. He emphasized that no foreigner working in the Philippines is above the law, regardless of their status, reputation, or the institution they represent.
Coach Baldwin is working in the Philippines and is covered by Philippine labor laws. The secretary also stressed that DOLE will fulfill its duty to verify that Baldwin holds a valid and current alien employment permit. If compliant, he has nothing to fear; if not, the agency will take appropriate action.
The secretary clarified that the subpoena against Coach Baldwin is not persecution but adherence to the rule of law. Tolentino also explained that the show-cause order against Coach Baldwin, who is a US and New Zealand citizen, is directly covered by the secretary's administrative order regarding employment permits for foreigners.
This development follows the tragedy on June 8 where two Ateneo players, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, drowned during a team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora. The incident sparked intense controversy surrounding Ateneo's management and Coach Baldwin.
The Baterbonia family has also requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against Baldwin to ensure he remains in the country while the investigation progresses.
