Abbey M.

The Ateneo de Manila University has accepted the resignations of Blue Eagles basketball team head coach Anthony Thomas "Tab" Baldwin and team manager Christopher "Epok" Quimpo.

In a statement, University President Roberto Yap SJ thanked both individuals for their service, while reaffirming the institution's commitment to accountability and integrity.

"We will not shield or protect anyone nor will allow the integrity to be compromised. With this, I also must inform everyone that the university has accepted the resignation of head coach Thomas Anthony Tab Baldwin effective immediately. We thank him for the years of service in the Blue Eagles," Yap said.

[Hindi namin poprotektahan ang sinuman at hindi rin namin hahayaan na makompromiso ang integridad. Sa kadahilanang ito, kailangan ko ring ipaalam sa lahat na tinanggap na ng unibersidad ang pagbibitiw ni head coach Thomas Anthony Tab Baldwin na may bisang kaagad. Nagpapasalamat kami sa kanya para sa mga taon ng serbisyo sa Blue Eagles.]

The university also emphasized that it will not cover up for anyone, nor allow any action that would compromise the integrity of the institution.

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Details surrounding the alleged "team building" activity of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players in Aurora on June 8 are slowly coming to light.

According to the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, 22 players and 7 coaching staff of the Blue Eagles left Manila on the morning of June 7 aboard a bus bound for a resort in Aurora province.

CIDG Director PMGEN. Robert Alexander Morico II identified the two players at the center of the investigation as Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, both juniors.

["Rene and Divine, who are both juniors, were at the very back seat of the bus — so it is a Genesis bus which was provided by the university athletics office of Ateneo de Manila."]

The group arrived at Hermanos Leisure and Agri Farm at 3:40 in the afternoon of June 7 and conducted calisthenics activities throughout the day. The following afternoon, at 2:30, the players were allegedly ordered to proceed to the shoreline — approximately 300 meters away from the rented resort.

["Ganon — malayo na yung lugar, wala nang tao after nitong resort na ito. That is where the security guard, who is also the standby lifeguard, last saw them na malayo."]

Based on information gathered, the CIDG has identified the possibility that hazing occurred and that Baterbonia and Adili were the victims.

["This investigation is now turned into a possible homicide investigation or hazing investigation, which possibly involves the violation of Article 249 of the RPC or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018. It depends po sa ongoing interview na aming kina-conduct sa mga players."]

Earlier today, only one of the five coaching staff and officers served with subpoenas by the CIDG appeared at their office. The four who failed to appear will be summoned again on Friday, June 19.

["We will issue again another subpoena. Right now, we don't know the purpose of their representation. The lawyers are not present during the incident — they do not have the personal knowledge para makapag-shed light po sila."]

Should those summoned fail to appear a second time, they may be cited for contempt and face charges of obstruction of justice.

Morico named the individuals expected to appear before the CIDG, including team manager Christopher Quimpo, head coach Thomas Anthony Baldwin, and staff members Reynaldo Jacinto and Dean Castanio.

["We will be issuing subpoenas to the team manager of Ateneo Blue Eagles, Christopher Quimpo, Thomas Anthony Baldwin head coach, Reynaldo Jacinto, Dean Castanio. I would like to elicit their appearance to shed light for the interest of justice, otherwise we will be compelled to file separate cases possibly for violation of contempt or obstruction of justice."]

The 22 players who were present in Aurora are also expected to appear before the CIDG in the coming days. Their lawyers have requested that the appearance be moved to Wednesday instead of the original schedule.

["We have talks with the lawyers of the students, and they requested that instead of tomorrow, the clients — the 22 of them — will appear on Wednesday."]

Three former Ateneo players are also expected to appear at the CIDG tomorrow as resource persons.

The foundation that oversees and funds the basketball program is likewise not exempt from the investigation. Morico disclosed that the Ateneo basketball team allegedly operates autonomously and is independently run by a foundation, with Smart Communications handling the program's planning and funding.

["We learned also from the university athletic office that the Ateneo basketball team allegedly is autonomous and independently run by a foundation. The program, planning, and funding is being handled by a foundation, which is Smart Communications."]

While Baterbonia had not yet been formally enrolled at Ateneo de Manila University, the CIDG said this does not shield the university from the investigation, particularly since the school accepted both players and allowed them to stay in its dormitory for several days.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for a special session of Congress on Wednesday, June 17, as the Senate continues to grapple with an unresolved leadership dispute.

Under Proclamation No. 1318 issued by Malacañang on Sunday, June 15, Marcos convened the special session to fast-track priority legislation aimed at strengthening social protection, expanding access to education and healthcare, and sustaining support for Filipinos in need.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the development, saying the proclamation directs Congress to act on bills that would bolster social protection, widen access to education and healthcare, and continue support for those in need — including the Anti-Political Dynasty Law.

["Naglabas ng Proclamation Number 1318 ngayong June 15, 2026, kung saan nagpatawag ang Pangulo ng special session sa Kongreso para mapabilis ang aksyon sa mga panukalang batas na magpapatibay sa social protection, magpapalawak ng access sa edukasyon at healthcare at magpapauloy ng suporta sa mga pangangailangan. Nais rin ng Pangulo mapabilis ang paglalabas ng Anti-Political Dynasty Law."]

Among the bills the President wants passed are the proposed National Center for Geriatric Health, amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Act, amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas Schools bill, amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, and the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program.

The new Senate majority, referred to as the Gatchalian Bloc, expressed full support for the special session. Senator Erwin Tulfo said the caucus had already discussed the matter, citing the volume of pending work that needed to be addressed in plenary.

["So marami tayong mga nakapending. Kailangan-kailangan talagang — ika nga — magkaroon ng special session."]

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri likewise identified health, additional education funding, and aid for Filipinos in crisis as priority agenda items for the session. Both Zubiri and Tulfo also stressed the need to act on pending confirmations before the Commission on Appointments for cabinet, military, and foreign service positions.

["Yun ang kailangan pa ho nating — ika nga — alamin. Pero naintindihan ang pagkaintindi ko, umaga yun kasi sunod-sunod. Sa hapon, meron pong tinatawag na CA. Kailangan po i-convene yung CA."]

The Gatchalian Bloc is also preparing contingency plans in response to possible moves by the group of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on session day. Senator Tulfo expressed hope that the leadership standoff in the Senate would finally be resolved before the session convenes.

["Pinag-uusapan na ngayon ng senior leadership namin kung ano pang gagawin. I don't know, marami pong mangyayari, pero hopefully — hindi na po — siguro baka sabihan na siya before the session na, 'Oh, labing-tatlo na kami' — parang ganon. Bababa na po yan, dahil yun po ang sabi niya. 'Di po ba, pag may thirteen kayo, bababa na po kami — bababa na raw siya."]

When asked whether a formal reorganization could take place during the special session itself, Tulfo said it was possible.

["Possible po yun. Opo. Possible. Baka may mahimasmasan."]

Senator Joel Villanueva, for his part, had already announced his readiness to attend the special session even before Malacañang made the official announcement, vowing to fulfill his constitutional duties.

["Sa pagkakataon po na magkaroon ng special session, tutuparin po natin ang ating sagradong tungkulin sa ilalim ng ating Saligang Batas. We will be there."]

As of this report, the Cayetano Bloc has yet to issue a statement on the special session. The new Senate majority expressed hope that Wednesday's proceedings would be free of drama or delays, with senators reiterating that there is no justification for the Senate to fail the Filipino people.

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Ipinamalas ng Taiwan ang ilan sa mga military asset nito sa isang video na inilabas ng Ministry of National Defense.

Makikita sa video ang sunod-sunod na pagpapaputok ng locally made na RT-2000 o Thunderbolt rocket system kasabay ng M142 HIMARS na binili mula sa Estados Unidos, bilang bahagi ng kauna-unahang live-fire test ng nasabing sistema.

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The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has set aside P15.1 billion in funds for emergency loan assistance for its members and pensioners who were severely affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in parts of Mindanao.

According to the GSIS, qualified members and pensioners with no existing loans may borrow P20,000 at a 6 percent interest rate under a 3-year payment term.

Applications for the GSIS emergency loan may be filed through their Touch mobile application until September 7, 2026.

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