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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Honor their memory': Tiangco pushes for House probe on Ateneo student-athletes' deaths

'Honor their memory': Tiangco pushes for House probe on Ateneo student-athletes' deaths

Published Jun 12, 2026 12:47 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Toby Tiangco files HR No. 1112 to investigate the drowning of Ateneo players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
  • The probe seeks accountability from schools, agencies, and sports bodies, reviewing safety and emergency standards.
  • Tiangco says the goal is to uncover the truth, assign responsibility, and prevent future tragedies.


Navotas lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco is prodding the House of Representatives to launch a probe into the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men's basketball team members Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying that the trust must come out.
Tiangco, an alumnus of ADMU, filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1112 for this purpose.
"We cannot bring Rene and Divine back. But we can honor their memory by ensuring that the truth comes out and that every institution entrusted with the welfare of student-athletes is held to the highest standard of responsibility and care," he said on Friday, June 12
Tiangco's measure directs the Committee on Youth and Sports Development to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the drowning of the two student-athletes during a school-supervised team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8.
It seeks to "determine the accountability and possible liabilities of the school, appropriate government agency or agencies, and to recommend measures to prevent similar Incidents in the Future."
Tiangco has emphasized that the tragedy goes beyond school affiliation and demands a thorough examination of the systems responsible for ensuring the safety of young athletes.
"Whenever young lives are lost under circumstances that raise serious questions about safety and supervision, we owe it to their families and to the public to find out exactly what happened and who should be held accountable," said the veteran solon from northern Metro Manila.
The proposed investigation will examine issues such as health and safety standards, emergency response procedures, the availability of medical personnel during training activities, and the responsibilities of coaches, trainers, schools, and governing bodies.
The resolution also seeks to determine the respective responsibilities of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), and the concerned educational institutions in safeguarding the welfare of student-athletes.
Earlier Friday, a representative from Tiangco's office visited Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of Rene, to convey the congressman’s personal condolences and inform her that HR No. 1112 had been filed.
The family has been told that the proposed congressional inquiry seeks to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy, identify accountability where warranted, and pursue reforms that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Tiangco stressed that the inquiry wasn't intended to prejudge any individual or institution, but rather to determine whether existing safeguards were adequate and whether additional legislation was needed to better protect Filipino athletes.
"The objective is simple: find out what happened, determine accountability, and make sure no other family has to endure the same loss," Tiangco noted.

Related Tags

RENE CLERT BATERBONIA Divine Adili ATENEO Toby Tiangco House of Representatives
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