Former Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin has been ordered to pay P9.8 million in fines, with Ateneo de Manila University sharing the P4.9-million penalty by the Department of Labor and Employment over violations involving the employment of foreign nationals.
In a decision promulgated Tuesday, DOLE found Baldwin and Ateneo administratively liable for separate violations of Article 40 of the Labor Code, which requires foreign nationals working in the Philippines to secure the appropriate employment documents.
Baldwin was fined P4.9 million for failing to secure an Alien Employment Permit.
Ateneo, along with Baldwin, was separately ordered to pay P4.9 million for employing the American-Kiwi without the necessary documentation.
Baldwin appeared before the DOLE panel with his counsel, while Ateneo and university president Roberto Yap were represented by lawyers Joseph De Jesus and Krishna Santos.
During a June hearing, Baldwin admitted that he had not obtained an AEP since 2013, explaining that he had been advised that his permanent resident status was sufficient.
While permanent residents are exempt from securing an AEP, DOLE noted that they are still required to obtain a Certificate of Exemption.
Ateneo, for its part, contested the finding of liability, maintaining that no employer-employee relationship existed between the university and Baldwin because he was engaged only as a consultant.
Both Baldwin and Ateneo said they intend to pursue the legal remedies available to them.
DOLE also directed that Baldwin’s case be referred to the Bureau of Immigration for possible summary deportation proceedings.
The labor case stemmed from an investigation launched after the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, in June.
The UAAP has since imposed its own sanction on Baldwin, perpetually banning the former Blue Eagles coach from all UAAP activities and venues.
Ateneo’s men’s basketball team, however, remains eligible to compete in UAAP Season 89 despite the league’s disciplinary action against Baldwin.
