By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCIACO, Agusan del Sur-— The death of Palarong Pambansa basketball MVP Rene Clert Baterbonia is now headed to Congress.
Agusan del Sur Representatives Alfel Bascug and Adolph Edward Plaza have filed a resolution calling for a House inquiry into the deaths of Baterbonia and fellow student-athlete Divine Adili during a team-building activity linked to the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball program in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The proposed probe seeks to determine what went wrong, who was responsible, and whether existing safety rules for student-athletes are enough to prevent another tragedy.
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Agusan del Sur has passed a Resolution calling for a transparent, impartial, and thorough investigation into the untimely passing of Baterbonia of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
Through this measure authored by SP member Nilo Manpatilan, the SP joins the family, the sports community, and the public in seeking truth, accountability, and justice.
Baterbonia, a promising basketball standout from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, rose to national attention after being named Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. He was seen as one of the province’s brightest young hopes in Philippine basketball.
Adili, also a young student-athlete with a promising future, was remembered in the resolution as a reminder of the duty of schools, coaches, trainers, and sports officials to protect athletes under their care.
Through House Resolution 1108, the lawmakers want the House to examine the supervision, risk assessment, emergency response, medical support, safety protocols, and accountability measures during the activity.
They also raised the need to review whether parents and guardians were properly informed of the risks involved in off-campus sports activities, and whether consent procedures were fully observed.
The resolution stressed that recruited student-athletes, especially those from provinces far from their families, deserve stronger protection from schools and athletic programs.
If the inquiry pushes through, government agencies, school officials, sports groups, coaches, parents, safety experts, and athlete welfare advocates may be called to testify.
For Plaza and Bascug, the move is more than a search for answers. It is a call for accountability — and a push to make sure Baterbonia’s dream, cut short too soon, leads to stronger safeguards for the next generation of Filipino athletes.
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