Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla is set to file a resolution seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

The measure is set to be formally filed once the Senate’s Legislative Bills and Index Service (LBIS) resumes receiving legislative submissions.

According to Padilla, the tragic loss of two young student-athletes highlights the need to review whether existing policies, supervision requirements, emergency preparedness measures, and risk management protocols are sufficient to ensure the safety of students participating in school-related activities.

“Napakasakit ng nangyari kina Rene at Divine. Mga kabataang puno sila ng pangarap at may maliwanag na kinabukasan. Utang natin sa kanilang mga pamilya, sa kanilang mga paaralan, at sa lahat ng estudyanteng Pilipino na tiyaking mabibigyan natin ng kasagutan ang mga nangyari at mapapalakas ang mga hakbang para hindi na ito maulit sa iba,” ani Padilla.

Under the proposed resolution, the appropriate Senate committee or committees will be requested to conduct a motu proprio inquiry, in aid of legislation, to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify possible legislative measures that may further strengthen student protection and safety standards in school-related activities.

On Wednesday evening, Senator Padilla personally visited Arlington Memorial Chapels to pay his respects and extend his condolences to the family of Rene Clert Baterbonia.

“Bilang isang magulang at bilang lingkod-bayan, napakahirap tanggapin ang pagkawala ng isang kabataang marami pang pangarap at maiaambag sa lipunan. Nakikiisa tayo sa pagdadalamhati ng pamilya ni Rene at ng pamilya ni Divine sa napakabigat nilang pinagdaraanan ngayon (As a parent and as a public servant, it is very difficult to accept the loss of a young person who still had many dreams and much to contribute to society. We join in mourning with the family of Rene and the family of Divine in the heavy ordeal they are going through now),” Padilla said.

The senator emphasized that the proposed inquiry is not intended to assign blame prematurely, but rather to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy and identify reforms that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Ang layunin natin ay hindi ang agad na maghanap ng masisisi kundi ang matiyak na matututo tayo sa trahedyang ito. Kung may mga kakulangan sa mga patakaran, proseso, o mekanismo ng kaligtasan, tungkulin nating ayusin at palakasin ang mga ito para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kabataan (Our goal is not to immediately look for someone to blame, but to ensure that we learn from this tragedy. If there are shortcomings in policies, processes, or safety mechanisms, it is our duty to fix and strengthen them for the welfare of our youth),”

Padilla stressed the importance of reviewing existing standards on risk assessment, supervision, emergency preparedness, and crisis response mechanisms governing school-organized activities, particularly those involving outdoor, athletic, adventure-based, and other potentially hazardous programs.

“Ang pinakamainam na paraan upang parangalan ang alaala nina Rene at Divine ay tiyaking may mabuting pagbabagong maidudulot ang kanilang sinapit. Nawa’y magsilbi itong daan upang higit nating maprotektahan ang susunod na henerasyon ng mga estudyanteng Pilipino (The best way to honor the memory of Rene and Divine is to ensure that their fate brings about meaningful change. May this serve as a path toward better protection for the next generation of Filipino students),” he said.

Padilla expressed hope that the Senate inquiry would help identify gaps in current policies and contribute to the development of stronger safeguards to protect better Filipino students participating in school-related activities nationwide.