Following the drowning deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building exercise in June, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has introduced significant regulatory changes aimed at safeguarding student-athletes.
CHED's Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 13, established on June 1, 2026, is designed to enforce accountability among higher education institutions and athletic organizations.
A Call for Accountability and Safety
These practices should be primarily under the purview of each of the member schools under the *in loco parentis* rule.
Rebo Saguisag, UAAP Executive Director
The CMO aims to enhance the safety of student-athletes by mandating comprehensive support systems within schools, covering everything from injury protocols to mental health services. Under the new rules, incidents must be reported to CHED within 48 hours, with investigations required to conclude within a week.
- Strengthened accountability for schools and coaches
- Mandatory injury and death protocols
- Support for mental health services
While the memorandum was not directly a response to the Ateneo incident, it represents a long-awaited step towards improving safety in collegiate sports. Dr. Lorenzo Lorenzo, a member of the NCAA and contributor to the CMO, noted that the creation of this regulation took several months and involved collaboration across various athletic bodies.
The tragedy has prompted a thorough investigation by multiple agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. As a result, Ateneo's basketball program faced significant scrutiny, leading to the indefinite suspension of coaching staff and an administrative fine from the Department of Labor and Employment.
Changing the Culture of Collegiate Sports
With the new CMO, CHED emphasizes not just the safety of student-athletes but also the ethical governance of collegiate sports. NCAA basketball commissioner Rico Paolo Quicho highlighted the importance of placing student-athletes at the center of collegiate sports governance.
The memorandum addresses issues such as commercialization and the ethical treatment of athletes, insisting that institutions prioritize safeguarding their welfare.
As the collegiate sports environment evolves, stakeholders hope that these new measures will foster a safer and more accountable landscape for student-athletes in the Philippines.