WHOSE fault is it?
That's the lingering question for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as it awaits the final report of the University of Santo Tomas' fact-finding committee in relation to the Growling Tigers' alleged training bubble in Capuy, Sorsogon.
"Ang gusto makita ng komisyon dito ay kung kaninong desisyon ba ito?" said CHED commissioner Prospero de Vera on Thursday during the daily Malacanang press briefing.
"Ang accountable officials, as CHED is concerned, ay ang mga namumuno sa pamantasan. Kaya hinintay natin ang report ng UST at titingnan namin sa imbestigasyon ng UST kung sino ba ang nag-authorize nito? Ito ba ay sanctioned ng pamantasan? Ito ba ay ginawa ng opisyal ng pamantasan? Ito ba ay ginagawa ng walang pahintulot ng pamantasan? Yan ang mga unang kailangang tignan."
CHED on Wednesday part part of the probe body created by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Diseases, joining the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Department of Health (DOH), and Games and Amusements Board (GAB) as the government continues to investigate the so-called Bicol bubble.
UST has found itself in hot water as the sudden departure of ex-team captain CJ Cansino blew the lid on the Growling Tigers' training in Sorsogon, where the players reportedly came voluntarily and signed waivers before staying in coach Aldin Ayo's residence as early as mid-June.
The government has since stepped in on what many believed was a breach of protocols as practices for non-professional sports remain barred in this time of COVID-19, even though Sorsogon has been listed under the moderate threat areas for modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) since June.
"Ang imbestigasyon ay naunang ginawa ng Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, at ng Department of Health dahil sa paglabag ng Joint Administrative Order doon sa conduct ng sports activities kaya sinimulan ng imbestigasyon sa usapan dahil ang unang imbestigasyon ay ang violation ng protocol sa sports activities.
"Pero kailangan nating tandaan na ang mga athletes ay estudyante rin. Kaya sumama na ang CHED sa imbestigasyon kasi ang unang imbestigasyon ay ang athlete part ngayon ay ang student part. Yan ay under ng komisyon," he said.
Like what was previously reported, the probe panel will reconvene on Tuesday as it awaits the official report from UST.
The school is set to submit its findings to Rector Fr. Richard Ang, OP who, as UST's representative to the UAAP's Board of Trustees, will pass the report to the UAAP.
"Ang usapan namin kahapon ay hihintayin ang official report ng UST at kami ay magme-meeting sa isang linggo para tignan ano ang report," said de Vera.
CHED, though, is closely studying if there really was a breach of the protocols set by the IATF in the supposed Sorsogon sojourn.
"Sa bahagi ng CHED, ang aming concern ay ang pag-violate noong IATF regulations dahil mga bata at ang group na ito age-wise ay di dapat lumabas. At ang CHED advisories na inissue namin mula Marso, malinaw sa CHED advisories na nakabatay sa IATF decisions na dapat siguruhin ng pamantasan na ligtas ang mga estudyante. At kung maaari na sila'y nasa bahay," he said.
"Kaya't inutusan natin ang mga pamantasan na pabalikin na, halimbawa, as early as March yung mga nag-OJT, mga nag-internship, bawiin na. Yung mga internship abroad, bawiin na. Lahat ito ay para sa safety ng mga bata at sinasabihan natin ang mga pamantasan na wag ipadadala ang mga bata sa mga lugar na hindi ligtas."
CHED also expects UST to act on the matter and hand out the necessary penalties, although de Vera said that the commission won't hesitate to crack the whip on the erring parties if necessary.
Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) director Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP has since left his post, with Fr. Ermito de Sagon, OP taking over in Espana.
"Depende rin kung saan ang pagkakamali kasi kung ang pagkakamali ay sanctioned ng eskwelahan ay ang responsible na pwedeng parusahan ng komisyon ay ang namumuno noong eskwelahan. Pero kung ang pagkakamali ay internal doon sa eskwelahan, ang puwedeng mag-sanction doon ay ang eskwelahan mismo," he said.
"Hindi pa natin alam yan ngayon kaya mahirap magsabi kung sino at ano ang sanction na pwede ibigay, pero meron tayong mga batas tulad ng Batas Pambansa Blg. 232, merong penal sanction sa mga pamantasan sa mga opisyal ng eskwelahan na hindi sumusunod sa mga dapat gawin. Yan ang pag-aaralan natin kung applicable sa UST."
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