Tab to surface before DOLE

DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino has been assured by Tab Baldwin’s lawyer Janella Flordeliza of the Villanueva, Tiansay, Darvin Law Offices that the resigned Ateneo men’s basketball team head coach will appear before him on June 25 or 10 days after failing to show up when initially summoned by a subpoena.

Tolentino said if Baldwin doesn’t present himself, he’ll be liable for contempt and charged accordingly. Tolentino called on Baldwin to submit his Alien Employment Permit (AEP) which the coach should have been issued to legitimize his work in the country.

Tolentino said there are requirements for an AEP, among which are no history of grave or moral misconduct and transfer of technology to an understudy. Baldwin has been accused of alleged misconduct by his wife and step-daughter in social media posts released by a New Zealand lawyer. Tolentino said due process will be conducted in looking into the allegations if charges are lodged. In the event that Baldwin is found guilty of violations of his AEP, he may be imprisoned from three months to three years with a fine of P1,000 to P10,000 and after serving jail sentence, deported.

Tolentino said it was Baldwin’s right to be represented by his lawyer in DOLE’s first summons last Monday but he has to attend the next meeting on June 25. Baldwin was also summoned by CIDG for a meeting last Monday and failed to appear. CIDG has asked the Department of Justice to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin to monitor Baldwin’s movements in case he attempts to leave the country.

In the wake of the Aurora tragedy that took two players’ lives during a team-building exercise last week, Ateneo has withdrawn from participating in the ongoing Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup and the University Top League in Japan on Aug. 12-14. Ateneo officials said the school is still undecided on whether or not to take a leave from playing in the coming UAAP season.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bong Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into the Ateneo tragedy. “The objective of the inquiry is not only to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident but also to determine what measures can be put in place to prevent similar tragedies from happening again,” he said. “We owe it to our athletes and their families to ensure that their safety is always protected. No athlete, parent or family should have to endure a tragedy that could have been prevented through proper safeguards and preparedness.”