Ateneo to Search for Next President, Extends Fr. Bobby’s Term

In a memorandum published on its website on August 5, 2026, Ateneo de Manila University announced a “Leadership Transition and the Search for the Next University President.” The Board of Trustees said current president Fr. Roberto “Bobby” C. Yap, SJ, will serve until May 31, 2027. The Board said the extension would allow the university to “address the concerns arising from the events of June 8, begin urgent reforms, and provide sufficient time for an orderly leadership transition."

The memo expressed deep appreciation for Fr. Bobby’s six years of service and leadership, highlighting several milestones during his presidency:

• Guided Ateneo through the COVID-19 pandemic

• Led the university-wide AMDG 2030 process and articulated the Magis aspirations that will continue to guide the university

• Advanced the integration of Higher Education and co-education

• Established the Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design

• Secured transformational gifts and the future Cavite campus

• Strengthened financial stewardship, sustainability, and the University’s national and international standing

Beyond these achievements, the memo also recognized Fr. Bobby’s “readiness to accept leadership responsibility for recent events and the University’s response to them."

The memo said details about the Search Committee and the selection process for the next president will be announced soon.

It also acknowledged the “pain and difficulty of recent months.” The Board said its discernment sought to balance “accountability and continuity, renewal and care for persons,” while remaining guided by Ateneo's Jesuit mission and by the concerns, hopes, and aspirations expressed by members of the community.

The Board also said its report and statement on the June 8 incident will be released soon.

The memorandum concludes by reaffirming the Board’s commitment to “pursuing reforms needed in the aftermath of the crisis and to strengthening the University’s governance, culture, and care for all members of the Ateneo community.” The memorandum is signed by Board Chairperson Bernadine T. Siy.

On June 8, Ateneo confirmed that Blue Eagles basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, drowned during a men’s basketball team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. The tragedy prompted investigations by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and an independent fact-finding body commissioned by the university. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) also convened a multi-sector panel to review athlete safety, while the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) said it would review its own policies and protocols.  Longtime head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo later stepped down as Ateneo launched a review of its athletics program and student safety protocols.

Later that month, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recommended that complaints under the Anti-Hazing Act, along with possible homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges, be filed against Baldwin and several members of the coaching staff. In July, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended filing reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against Baldwin and other team personnel, as well as simple negligence resulting in homicide charges against several university officials. As of this writing, the Department of Justice has yet to issue its final resolution.

The tragedy also had a lasting impact on the Ateneo community. Beyond the ongoing investigations, Ateneo officials also raised concerns that surviving members of the basketball team became targets of online harassment and cyberbullying, prompting calls for compassion while the legal process continues.

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