PSC to provide financial assistance to Baterbonia, Adili families, pushes for regulations, stronger safety standards

The Philippine Sports Commission on Monday said it will provide financial assistance to the families of the late Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

According to the PSC chair Patrick Gregorio, the sports agency will give P250,000 to the families of both players.

“Nag-usap po kami ngayon na ang ibibigay ng Philippine Sports Commission, in partnership with all the government sectors here today, ay P250,000 para sa pamilya ni Rene at P250,000 para sa pamilya ni Divine. ‘Yan po ay tulong ng gobyerno para lang po ma-address ‘yung pangangailangan ng mga pamilya ng nasawi,” Gregorio said.

“Every time something like this happens, it is SOP and the part of PSC to support and reach out to the families,” Gregorio said.

PSC Chair Pato Gregorio said they will provide P250,000 to the families of Baterbonia and Adili as form of assistance @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/2Cy7iXvHfr

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) June 10, 2026

‘Beyond one incident’

The PSC, along with the sports stakeholders’ panel which includes the Department of Education, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the National Youth Commission, and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), believes “this conversation extends beyond student-athletes and a single incident.”

“At its core, this is about protecting athletes and ensuring that sport is a safe, credible, and empowering environment for all,” the panel said in a statement.

As a panel, they 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.”

The panel said it also supports the proposed Sports Coaching Act (House Bill 2631) and its implementation should it be enacted.

The panel also said it shall establish “more robust safety standards, risk management protocols, and emergency response capabilities across all levels of sport — including standardizing safety protocols on the conduct of athlete training programs.”

“We cannot undo what has happened, but we can ensure that this loss is not without purpose,” the panel said.

“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.”

—JMB, GMA News