Jamaine Punzalan

Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin gives a rare in-game smile during their match against the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178115499554320191030-admu-up-uaap-GC- 4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin gives a rare in-game smile during their match against the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday it had summoned Ateneo Basketball coach Tab Baldwin to present proof of his alien employment permit.  </p><p>DOLE Acting Secretary Francis Tolentino said a show cause order directed Baldwin, an American-New Zealand national, to appear before the agency on Monday, June 15. </p><p>The summons was issued after a drowning incident killed Ateneo student-athletes <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/nbi-reviewing-no-foul-play-finding-in-baterbonia-adili-deaths-1312">Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia </a>during a team-building activity. </p><p>The incident “raised questions about the conduct, supervision, and legal employment status of the foreign coaching staff overseeing the activity,” the labor department said. </p><p>It noted that under the Labor Code and a department order, “any foreign national working in the Philippines — regardless of the nature or prestige of their employment — is required to hold a valid AEP issued by DOLE before engaging in any work or employment activity.” </p><p>“No foreign national working in this country is above the law, regardless of their status, reputation, or the institution they represent. Coach Baldwin is employed in the Philippines. He is subject to Philippine labor law,” Tolentino said. </p><p>“DOLE is simply doing its job — verifying that he holds a valid and current Alien Employment Permit as required under Article 40 of the Labor Code. 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 law,” he added.  </p><p>Coach Baldwin, 68, was appointed as head coach of the Blue Eagles in December 2015 and has led them to four UAAP championships. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/nbi-reviewing-no-foul-play-finding-in-baterbonia-adili-deaths-1312">NBI reviewing ‘no foul play’ finding in Baterbonia, Adili deaths</a></div><p>Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio has questioned Baldwin’s absence from the public eye after the incident.</p><p>&quot;Where is Tab Baldwin? Why is he still not speaking up? This is beyond Ateneo,” Gregorio said. </p><p>“This is a national concern. Out of respect for the family and the Filipino people, he has to come forward. He has been here for 10 years. I don&#x27;t understand why he can&#x27;t understand our culture--konting respeto at pakikipagkapwa naman,” he added. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/11/how-rescue-efforts-for-ateneo-s-baterbonia-adili-unfolded-1244">Rescue leader recounts efforts to save Ateneo&#x27;s Baterbonia, Adili</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CzoH-d115-Y?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lWpwLjxQfiI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M2cKWPjaNJE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday it had summoned Ateneo Basketball coach Tab Baldwin to explain his alien employment permit.</p>

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday it had summoned Ateneo Basketball coach Tab Baldwin to explain his alien employment permit.

DOLE summons Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin over employment permit

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DOLE summons Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin over employment permit

Johnson Manabat,

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 11, 2026 01:19 PM PHT

|

Updated June 11, 2026 02:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Tab Baldwin

Ateneo

Blue Eagles

basketball

DOLE

drowning

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

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