DOLE fines Tab Baldwin, Ateneo for work permit violations

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Department of Labor and Employment slapped former Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and Ateneo de Manila University with separate administrative fines for violating employment rules for foreign nationals on Aug. 11, 2026.

After a thorough investigation following the tragic drowning incident that resulted in the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino confirmed that Baldwin and Ateneo violated Article 40 of the Labor Code of the Philippines over work permit issues.

DOLE explained that Baldwin worked in the Philippines without securing an Alien Employment Permit, while Ateneo was held accountable for employing him.

As a result, DOLE fined Baldwin PHP 4.9 million, while Ateneo received the same fine for its role as his employer.

Moreover, another PHP 4.9 million was imposed as a penalty on Baldwin and Ateneo for failing to secure a Certificate of Exemption, for which both parties were held jointly liable.

Under DOLE Department Order No. 248, foreign nationals who already have permanent resident visas still need a Certificate of Exemption to legally continue working in the country.

It was also under Department Order No. 248 that DOLE counted 490 days of noncompliance from the order’s implementation on Feb. 10, 2025, until June 14, 2026, a day before Baldwin resigned from Ateneo.

For each day of noncompliance, DOLE imposed a penalty of PHP 10,000, with the duration reaching 490 days and bringing the total fine to PHP 4.9 million.

An hour after DOLE’s official verdict, Ateneo responded via a social media post on its official Facebook page.

“The Ateneo de Manila University has received a copy of the Order of the Department of Labor and Employment, regarding the alleged employment permit requirement of former Men’s Basketball Team Head Coach Tab Baldwin,” Ateneo wrote in a statement.

“The University is currently reviewing the Order with its legal team and studying the remedies available to it under the law. Ateneo will take the appropriate next steps after its review.”