Tab Baldwin admits working in PH without labor permit since 2013
MANILA, Philippines — Former Ateneo men’s basketball head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin admitted on Monday that he has been working in the Philippines without an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) since 2013, a span that covers his time with the Blue Eagles and several other employers.
Under Article 40 of the Philippine Labor Code and DOLE Department Order No. 248 (series of 2025), all foreign nationals working in the country must secure a valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment.
READ: DOLE: Tab Baldwin yet to submit verified answer on work permit validity
But during a clarificatory hearing conducted by the Dole, Baldwin — who is a dual citizen of the US and New Zealand — admitted that he has never held an AEP since he was first employed in the country.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino even showed Baldwin a sample copy of an AEP during the hearing.
“I do not have nor do I believe I’ve ever had a card like that,” said Baldwin when asked by Tolentino if he’s ever seen the card.
However, Baldwin noted that he once received an AEP application form that was partially filled out by e-mail around 2015.
“It is my habit to be very fastidious when it comes to documentation, having lived in multiple countries… however I do not have a completed application form, or stamped form,” said Baldwin during the hearing.
According to Baldwin, he cannot recall if he filed out the form or not.
No need for AEP, says Tab Baldwin’s counsel
Meanwhile, Baldwin’s counsel during the hearing maintained that the former coach was actually exempted from the AEP due to his status as a permanent visa holder.
“Him being a permanent visa holder is what we submit that exempts him from the AEP requirement,” his legal counsel said during the hearing.
Dole Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Labor Relations Gerard Mosquera, however, pointed out that an issuance in January 2025 required a certificate of exemption (COE) to be exempted from the permit.
This, he said, means that despite the fact that the requirement to secure a COE has been made, Baldwin has neither applied for nor secured any COE from January 2025 to the present.
“Yes, sir, but to be clear, what we’re also saying is that at the time his permanent visa status was vested in him, there was no requirement for Mr. Baldwin to secure a COE,” Baldwin’s counsel responded.
READ: Ateneo drowning: Hazing raps sought vs Tab Baldwin, 10 others
Next hearing on July 9
The next hearing for Baldwin’s case before Dole has then been set to July 9, according to Tolentino in a chance interview.
Tolentino explained that Dole will now have to contact Baldwin’s former employers — including officials of Ateneo de Manila University — to verify his testimony and his employment contracts.
READ: DILG to seek HDO vs ex-Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin
Asked if Ateneo would also be held accountable for employing a foreigner with no AEP, the Dole chief responded that we would still have to wait for the results of the hearings.
While Tolentino also floated deportation as a possible sanction against Baldwin, the labor chief maintained that they cannot preempt the results of their investigation and hearings.
Tolentino then clarified that Dole’s proceedings are in no way related to the criminal aspect of Baldwin’s case.
“What we’re here for is to ensure continuous compliance with labor laws — not just for Baldwin, but for everyone else as well. Even Hollywood stars and BTS members are required to have an AEP. Everyone who comes here to work must have an AEP,” he said. /das
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