Ateneo Board of Trustees Prepares for End of Fr. Bobby Yap's Tenure as President

Ateneo de Manila's Board of Trustees (BoT) announced in a memo dated August 5 that the term of Fr. Roberto "Bobby" C. Yap, SJ, as President has been extended until May 31, 2027. This comes after a June 17 memo saying that his term of office continues, notwithstanding a previous announcement in 2023 that his second three-year term was up to May 31, 2026.

"This will 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 Board also sees this as an opportunity to strengthen succession planning in the University so that leadership and Trustee appointments are decided well in advance of assumption of office, allowing proper handovers and completion of priority work," the memo signed by Chairperson Bernadine T. Siy added.

The ADMU basketball program is facing controversies following the tragic death of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili during an off-campus team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, under the watch of now-resigned Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin. As of July 13, the National Bureau of Investigation's Homicide Division recommended filing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide against eight individuals: Baldwin; assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, Jon Jacinto, and Buboy Domingo; strength and conditioning coaches Caesar Vincent "CJ" Elumba and New Zealand national Grant Hearns; and physical therapist John Eric "Jerick" Rueca. The recommendation submitted to the Department of Justice also included filing charges of simple negligence resulting in two counts of homicide against Ateneo athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez, Hermanos Leisure & Agri-Farm Resort owners Francisco and Fredrick Zubia, and resort manager Yedda Rubio.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are set to compete in the upcoming Pinoyliga Cup, marking their return to tournament action following their withdrawal at the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup in June.

The BoT has also expressed its appreciation of Fr. Bobby's six years of service, citing the challenges faced and milestones achieved under his leadership:

• "Ateneo navigated the pandemic;

• undertook 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;

• and strengthened financial stewardship, sustainability, and the University’s national and international standing."

They also recognized the President's "readiness to accept leadership responsibility for recent events and the University’s response to them" and appreciated his "willingness, in the true Jesuit spirit of mission, to accept reassignment."

An Ateneo de Manila University president is elected to three-year terms by the Board of Trustees. Fr. Bobby succeeded Fr. Jose Ramon "Jett" Villarin, SJ, who served for three three-year terms (2011 to 2020). Before him was Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, who served for six three-year terms (1993-2011), a total of 18 years, making him the longest-serving university president in modern Ateneo history. Fr. Nebres was named National Scientist of the Philippines in 2011. Like Fr. Villarin, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, served for nine years (1984-1993).

Fr. Bobby is the 31st President of Ateneo de Manila University. Before his tenure in Katipunan, he was President of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan from 2011 to 2020.

"As Fr. Bobby completes his extended term, the Board of Trustees has resolved to begin a leadership transition and to constitute a Search Committee for the next President of Ateneo de Manila University," the memo said.

Details regarding this are yet to be announced.

"The Board has reviewed all pertinent information concerning the events of June 8 and will release its report and statement on the incident shortly," it added.

Aside from Siy and Fr. Bobby, Ateneo de Manila University's Board of Trustees also include Chito B. Salazar, PhD (Vice Chairperson); Fernando T. Aldaba, PhD; Fr. Antonio Basilio, SJ; Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ; Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng; Fr. Joseph Y. Haw, SJ; Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ; Fr. Jordan J. Orbe, SJ; Christopher Paulus Nicholas T. Po; Fr. Jose VC Quilongquilong, SJ; Fr. Mars P. Tan, SJ; Manolito T. Tayag; and Ma. Gisela H. Tiongson.

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