Ateneo de Manila University informed the Department of Labor and Employment that Tab Baldwin worked under a consultancy agreement. The clarification came during a July 9 hearing on the coach's employment status.
Lawyers for Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap told DOLE officials that Baldwin operated as a specialist with discretion over his methods. They presented a September 2025 agreement that outlined duties such as conducting clinics and barred certain endorsements.
DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino questioned elements like housing and transportation allowances in the document. Ateneo representatives maintained these were standard for independent contractors and did not indicate control over Baldwin's coaching.
Baldwin, a dual US-New Zealand citizen, stated in a prior June 29 hearing that he had not obtained an alien employment permit. His legal team argued that his resident alien status exempted him from the requirement under the Labor Code.
The hearing addressed Baldwin's role following a June 8 incident in Aurora. DOLE directed Ateneo to submit a memorandum within seven days for resolution.
