IT has become apparent that University of Santo Tomas athletic officials were aware of the Bicol bubble undertaken by the school's men's basketball team, based on a copy of a waiver that parents of the players were made to sign.
A copy of the waiver which the players and their legal guardians signed to be able to join the team's training in Capuy, Sorsogon surfaced online on Sunday.
The letter, addressed to Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) director Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP and dated June 2, stated that the undersigned were "voluntarily allowing" the players to join the trainings in Bicol and are releasing the University of any liability in the event of an injury.
It corroborates the claims of numerous Spin.ph sources about an existence of such waiver before the players went to Sorsogon and stayed in Ayo's residence as early as mid-June.
The alleged Sorsogon bubble training, which emerged after CJ Cansino's shock departure from the Tigers last week, has put the heat on UST officials who on Sunday released a statement vowing 'appropriate action' over the incident.
An IATF-created body made up of representatives of the Department of Health (DoH), Games and Amusement Board (GAB), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is also investigating if the team broke quarantine protocols during the bubble training.
The waiver is the first legal proof on the existence of the bubble.
The waiver read: "My son and I are fully aware that inherent dangers exist and while in good health and able to fully participate in activities, it may result in illness or injury due to accidents, forces of nature and any other causes unforeseen. By allowing my son to participate, we hereby knowingly assume all risks resulting from these activities.
"On behalf of my son, my family or other personal representatives, I hereby agree to release, hold harmless and indemnify University of Santo Tomas, Coaching Staff, and Managers, from any and all claims and law suits for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, medical illness, etc. which may result during this activity."
UST declined to send a representative to a meeting called by the PSC that looked into the matter, but released a statement saying it only learned of the issue on Sunday and vowed to create a fact-finding committee to study the matter.
UST also assured that it will "not tolerate any form of violation of government regulation, and it responds promptly by taking the appropriate action."
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