Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday confirmed that former Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin has submitted documents related to an inquiry into his permit to work in the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, the department stated that the documents were received Thursday afternoon. "The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) confirms that it has received, as of 3:11 PM, today, the verified answer ad cautelam regarding the inquiry on the status of Mr. Thomas Anthony 'Tab' Baldwin's permit to work in Philippines," it said. DOLE mentioned that the submission is now under review.

"DOLE, through its Office of the Secretary and the Legal Service, is reviewing the submitted documents in view of relevant labor laws, rules, and regulations, including Article 40 of the Labor Code of the Philippines and DOLE Department Order No. 248, Series of 2025, or the New Rules and Regulations on the Employment of Foreign Nationals in the Philippines," it added. The department also said the hearing scheduled on Monday next week will proceed as planned where Baldwin "is expected to appear."

The inquiry into Baldwin's work permit stemmed from the deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. Baterbonia was laid to rest in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, while Adili's remains arrived in Nigeria on Thursday for burial.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the appearance of businessman Manny Pangilinan, chairman and trustee of the MVP Sports Foundation, is no longer necessary as the case buildup being conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is almost complete. "[CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II] informed the lawyers of MVP that his presence is no longer needed since the case buildup is almost complete. His affidavit was enough,' Remulla said in a message to reporters.

As part of the ongoing investigation, CIDG personnel traveled to Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on Thursday to obtain the sworn statement of Baterbonia's mother, Rovelyn Baterbonia. The testimony was taken at the San Agustin Gymnasium with legal assistance from lawyer Kenneth Minglana. Authorities said the statement would be consolidated with other evidence and included in the criminal complaints to be referred to the Department of Justice.