PSC-led panel reaffirms commitment to professionalizing coaching after Ateneo drowning incident

The Sports Stakeholders’ Panel led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) reiterated its commitment to professionalizing coaching and team management days after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recommended filing complaints for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act, against 11 individuals in connection with the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

In a statement released Wednesday, the panel said it supports the CIDG's investigation into the incident, as well as the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) evaluation of institutional oversight.

The panel, however, emphasized that discipline, physical training, and mental fortitude remain integral to sports.

“As these investigations endeavor to determine the presence of hazing or acts of negligence in the tragedy, we recognize that these have given rise to uncertainties among sports professionals, particularly those in coaching and team management,” the panel said.

“Many sports demand discipline, rigorous physical conditioning, and mental fortitude. Coaches and team managers therefore bear the dual responsibility of pushing athletes to excel while exercising sound judgment and safeguarding them from harm, abuse, exploitation, and competing interests that compromise athlete-centered training in pursuit of profit or power.”

Sports Stakeholders' Panel statement on CIDG report regarding the Ateneo drowning case @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/8dznX2Fw2p

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 1, 2026

The panel said it seeks to professionalize coaching and team management by implementing higher standards, mandatory certifications such as basic life support training, and safeguarding measures across all sporting environments.

“Properly designed and implemented, these reforms will protect both athletes and coaches, reinforce ethical and professional practice, and strengthen public trust in sport,” it added.

The PSC said it has already begun these efforts through the Coach Developer Academy, which prepares coach developers to train and certify coaches under the upcoming National Sports Coaching Certification Program.

The panel also encouraged national sports associations to designate safety officers across different sporting environments to lay the groundwork for the renewed consideration of the proposed Sports Coaching Act (HB 2631).

“We call on all sports stakeholders to support these efforts and to examine, with honesty and resolve, the practices we are willing to accept if sport is truly to build better lives. The power entrusted to us, the accountability we accept, and the standards we choose to uphold will define the culture of sport that shapes our youth and, ultimately, the kind of nation we become,” it said.

The panel is composed of the PSC, CHED, the Department of Education, National Youth Commission, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

—JKC, GMA News