Ateneo Tells DOLE Tab Baldwin Worked as Consultant Not Employee

Ateneo de Manila University told the Department of Labor and Employment that Tab Baldwin worked under a consultancy agreement rather than an employment contract. Lawyers Krisha Santos and Philippe Quimbo represented the university at a clarificatory hearing on July 9 and said the school exercised no power to control Baldwin's methods of coaching.

Santos stated that a consultant holds discretion over how work is performed while an employee falls under employer direction.

The September 2025 agreement required Baldwin to run basketball clinics and join university program talks while barring him from endorsing his name or image. Ateneo provided housing and transportation allowances plus monthly compensation. Baldwin, a dual United States and New Zealand citizen aged 68, began coaching the Ateneo Blue Eagles in 2015 and led the team to four UAAP titles.

He signed a three-year extension in September 2025. Baldwin told DOLE on June 29 that he never obtained an alien employment permit. Lawyer Jose Feliciano, who helped Baldwin secure a quota immigrant visa and alien certificate of registration, testified that resident aliens are exempt from the permit requirement under Article 40 of the Labor Code.

DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino countered that holders of an ACR must still apply under the Omnibus Rules. Baldwin supervised a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8 where students Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili drowned. Tolentino said Ateneo must submit a memorandum within seven days, after which the case will be submitted for resolution along with Baldwin's filing.