Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has filed a bill that seeks to make schools, coaches, and athletic associations legally accountable for the safety and welfare of student-athletes. This action comes after the tragic deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players during a team-building activity in Aurora province.
On Tuesday, Ejercito announced the filing of Senate Bill No. 2269, also known as the proposed Student-Athletes Comprehensive Protection Act of 2026. The measure aims to amend Republic Act 10676, or the Student-Athletes Protection Act, by expanding safeguards beyond competitions to include practices, training sessions, and other school-sanctioned activities.
“At present, there is no express provision in the law on student protection during practice, training, and other school-sanctioned activities. It is not enough to leave the safety of our athletes to good intentions,” Ejercito said in Filipino.
Under the bill, schools and athletic associations are required to ensure that student-athletes train and compete in a safe and healthy environment. This includes safeguards against physical, psychological, and emotional harm. The bill mandates qualified supervision during practices and training, emergency response protocols, medical assessments, safe training environments, and policies against hazing, abuse, harassment, and retaliation. It also requires access to health care professionals who can monitor athletes’ physical condition and nutritional needs.
Student-athletes who sustain injuries or sports-related harm while participating in athletic programs and competitions may receive free or subsidized coverage of medical expenses under the proposed law. Ejercito filed the measure after Ateneo Blue Eagles players, rookie Rene Clert Baterbonia and Nigerian Divine Adili, died in a drowning incident at a beach resort in Dipaculao town on June 8.
“In filing this bill, we hope to strengthen accountability in the law so that the safety and welfare of student-athletes are not treated as discretionary but as a legal responsibility of schools, coaches, and athletic associations,” Ejercito stated.
