Tab Baldwin Admits Working in PH Without Alien Employment Permit

MANILA, Philippines — Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin, former head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team, has admitted to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that he never possessed an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) during his tenure with various employers in the Philippines since 2013. Under Philippine labor laws and DOLE regulations, all foreign nationals employed in the country are required to obtain a valid AEP. However, Baldwin, who holds dual citizenship from the US and New Zealand, stated during a DOLE clarificatory hearing that he has never held such a permit. While he recalled receiving a partially filled AEP application form via email around 2015, he could not confirm if he had completed and submitted it. Baldwin’s legal counsel argued that his status as a permanent visa holder exempts him from the AEP requirement. In response, a DOLE official pointed out that a directive issued in January 2025 mandates a Certificate of Exemption (COE) for AEP waivers, and Baldwin has neither applied for nor secured a COE since that date. The counsel countered that the COE requirement was not in place at the time Baldwin’s permanent visa status was vested. The next hearing for Baldwin’s case is scheduled for July 9. The DOLE will contact his former employers, including officials from Ateneo University, to verify his testimony and employment contracts. The accountability of Ateneo University for employing a foreigner without the proper permit will be determined after the investigation. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino mentioned deportation as a potential sanction but stressed that the investigation’s outcome must be awaited. Tolentino emphasized that these proceedings are crucial for ensuring compliance with labor laws for all foreign workers, including international celebrities. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo