The Philippine Sports Commission said on Wednesday that the team-building activity conducted under coach Tab Baldwin, which led to the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, does not align with the standards set by any governing sports body in the country.
PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio explained that the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ training program in Aurora — a yearly tradition that began during the offseason leading up to UAAP Season 80 — reflects the team’s own athletic philosophy rather than any established policy of the PSC, the Department of Education, the UAAP, the Palarong Pambansa, or any national sports association.
Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, died on Monday afternoon following a drowning incident during a team-building activity at Hermanos Leisure Farm and Surf Camp in Barangay Libis, Dipaculao, Aurora.
“Ang sense po ng commission diyan, definitely, hindi po ’yan standard. Definitely, wala po yan sa policy ng Philippine Sports Commission. And I’m sure, wala sa policy yan ng UAAP. Wala yan sa policy ng Palarong Pambansa. Wala po sa policy yan ng kahit sinong NSA,” Gregorio said during the PSC Media Briefing of the Sports Stakeholders’ Panel.
“That is maybe the philosophy of a program that is in place. That is their style and their prerogative. But having said that, what is important po is now we are given the opportunity to review saan ba yung mga loopholes sa bawat patakaran ng bawat ahensya.”
Gregorio acknowledged that the tragedy exposed significant gaps in the existing frameworks governing athletic training programs across various institutions. He said the PSC and its partner agencies are now focused on implementing reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The PSC Sports Stakeholders’ Panel is composed of PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Atty. Erika Dy, Commission on Higher Education Chairman Shirley Agrupis, National Youth Commission Chairman Jeff Ortega, and Department of Education Undersecretary Malcolm Garma.
“This [accident] is the realization that we need this framework and we need these policies moving forward. Hindi talaga puwedeng ipaubaya lang sa kanya-kanyang quote-unquote diskarte yung training moving forward. And masakit bang aminin na nangyari ito, and now it’s a realization amongst us,” Gregorio explained.
“But rest assured, we will definitely address this situation as soon as possible. And nakita niyo naman po, sabi ko nga, it is very important for us to see you here. It is very important for the people, the Filipino people to see us here. It is because we will do something about it at the soonest possible time.”
As part of the effort to achieve the systemic changes the PSC seeks, the Commission, alongside CHED, DepEd, the UAAP, and the NYC, reiterated its support for the passage of House Bill No. 2631, or the proposed Sports Coaching Act, authored by Congressman Mike Dy.
The bill seeks to establish a national registry of coaches and require mandatory licensing, certification, and continuing professional development for coaches and sports professionals across the country.
Gregorio revealed that the panel reached a consensus that the measure must be pursued in partnership with all NSAs, educational institutions, and government stakeholders to “ensure that this loss is not without purpose.”
“Coaches wield tremendous influence over the lives and development of athletes. We must do our part to ensure that they are not only empowered to lead, but also educated, trained, and held to standards that promote athlete safety, welfare, and responsible coaching practices. We will push for the enactment of a law regulating the coaching profession, including the establishment of a national registry, mandatory licensing and certification, and continuing professional development requirements for coaches and sports professionals. We support the proposed Sports Coaching Act (House Bill 2631), implementation must be undertaken in partnership with National Sports Associations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders,” the PSC said in a statement.
“We cannot undo what has happened, but we can ensure that this loss is not without purpose. The most meaningful way to honor Rene and Divine is to commit ourselves to legacy reforms that build a sporting environment worthy of every athlete who entrusts their dreams to it.”
