NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
De Vera Questions CHED Silence On Student Deaths Amid Safety Concerns
Photo credit: Prof Popoy De Vera
Former Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Prospero De Vera III is raising concerns over what he described as CHED’s lack of action following the deaths of student-athletes Baterbonia and Adili.
De Vera pointed out that CHED is the government agency primarily responsible for enforcing policies that protect student-athletes, including CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 63, the Student-Athletes Protection Act, and the country's anti-hazing law. Yet despite the tragic deaths, he said the agency has remained noticeably quiet.
“Why is CHED, the primary authority responsible for implementing these policies, completely silent about the Baterbonia and Adili tragedy?” De Vera asked.
He noted that it was instead the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) — an agency that does not have direct jurisdiction over student-athletes — that took the initiative by organizing a multisectoral panel to review athlete safety protocols and investigate possible gaps in existing safeguards.
De Vera also stressed that school officials have previously been held accountable for incidents involving student deaths linked to negligence.
As an example, he cited the case of a former president of Bulacan State University (BSU), who was dismissed from service and stripped of retirement benefits after being found guilty of gross neglect of duty. The ruling stemmed from a 2014 field trip that proceeded despite lacking proper coordination with local government authorities and involved travel to a location considered hazardous under CHED regulations.
The incident resulted in the deaths of seven BSU students, leading authorities to hold university officials accountable for failing to ensure the students' safety.
According to De Vera, the case demonstrates that school administrators can face serious consequences when negligence contributes to student fatalities, raising questions about whether similar accountability measures should be considered in the wake of the Baterbonia and Adili deaths.
The former CHED chief's remarks add to growing calls for a thorough review of athlete safety policies and the responsibilities of educational institutions in protecting students under their care.
De Vera pointed out that CHED is the government agency primarily responsible for enforcing policies that protect student-athletes, including CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 63, the Student-Athletes Protection Act, and the country's anti-hazing law. Yet despite the tragic deaths, he said the agency has remained noticeably quiet.
“Why is CHED, the primary authority responsible for implementing these policies, completely silent about the Baterbonia and Adili tragedy?” De Vera asked.
He noted that it was instead the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) — an agency that does not have direct jurisdiction over student-athletes — that took the initiative by organizing a multisectoral panel to review athlete safety protocols and investigate possible gaps in existing safeguards.
De Vera also stressed that school officials have previously been held accountable for incidents involving student deaths linked to negligence.
As an example, he cited the case of a former president of Bulacan State University (BSU), who was dismissed from service and stripped of retirement benefits after being found guilty of gross neglect of duty. The ruling stemmed from a 2014 field trip that proceeded despite lacking proper coordination with local government authorities and involved travel to a location considered hazardous under CHED regulations.
The incident resulted in the deaths of seven BSU students, leading authorities to hold university officials accountable for failing to ensure the students' safety.
According to De Vera, the case demonstrates that school administrators can face serious consequences when negligence contributes to student fatalities, raising questions about whether similar accountability measures should be considered in the wake of the Baterbonia and Adili deaths.
The former CHED chief's remarks add to growing calls for a thorough review of athlete safety policies and the responsibilities of educational institutions in protecting students under their care.
Jun 10, 2026
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