DOLE slaps Tab Baldwin, Ateneo ₱4.9M admin fine over employment permits

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday imposed a ₱4.9 million administrative fine against Ateneo De Manila University basketball head coach Thomas Anthony "Tab" Baldwin and the university following the death of two student-athletes.

DOLE imposed the fine of P4.9 million for failure to secure a Certificate of Exception.

"For failure to secure a Certificate of Exemption under DOLE Department Order No. 248, Series of 2025, Mr. Thomas Anthony 'Tab' Baldwin and Ateneo de Manila University are jointly and solidarily liable to pay an administrative fine in the total amount of P4,900,000," the DOLE decision read.

In an ambush interview, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said Ateneo is "solidarily liable" to Baldwin and will have to pay the fine should the he in unable to do so.

"Solidarily liable si Ateneo. Ibig sabihin, kung hindi makabayad si Mr. Baldwin, si Ateneo ang magbabayad (Ateneo is solidarily liable. Meaning, Ateneo will pay the fine if Balwin can't)," Tolentino said.

Meanwhile, DOLE also imposed a P10,000 fine on Baldwin for failure to secure an Alien Employment Permit.

DOLE also recommended Baldwin's case to the Bureau of Immigration.

"Yung sa BI, yun kasi yung deportation kasi bago ka mag deportation, kailangan harapin mo muna yung criminal cases kung meron," he added.

(Before deportation, the accused must face the criminal cases if any.)

Baldwin did not comment to the media when asked about the matter.

In early July, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recommended the filing of homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against Baldwin and eight others.

Among the elements cited by the CIDG in recommending the case were Baldwin and others’ duty to take care of the victims, alongside their failure to exercise the necessary precautions.

Authorities said there was a clear link between the negligence and the deaths of the two student-athletes.

The American-Kiwi coach is under probe following the drowning incident that killed student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team activity in Aurora in June.

To recall, Baldwin had admitted he did not have an Alien Employment Permit despite working as a basketball coach in the Philippines since 2013.

Ateneo in July said Baldwin is not a university employee and is only working under an independent contractor agreement. —AOL, GMA News