Sorsogon City PNP finds Aldin Ayo ‘not liable’ for IATF violations

After a few weeks of investigation, Sorsogon City PNP has found former UST coach Aldin Ayo “not liable” for any health protocol violation when he hosted the controversial “Bicol bubble.” (TIMELINE: Chaos follows as UST bubble bursts)

As first reported by official school paper The Varsitarian on Wednesday, September 30, the Sorsogon City incident report concluded “there was no UST-sanctioned team basketball training conducted at Ayo’s domicile.”

Additionally, Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a statement there were no “prohibited basketball activities conducted by his guests outside of his residence within the jurisdiction of the province of Sorsogon.”

Ayo, the statement said, is “not liable for violation of any health protocol” set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and “local executive orders in the Province of Sorsogon.”

UST, however, did not have a say in the bubble in the first place due to the waivers reportedly passed around and signed by parents of Growling Tigers players who made the trip to Capuy, Sorsogon.

Ayo, who’s also a Sorsogon City councilor, only confirmed that there was an “activity” done when he resigned as UST head coach. However, he never said in his statement it was basketball-related.

In a previous Varsitarian report, Ayo allegedly made his players visit a piggery and attend a farming seminar, the latter of which was confirmed in the PNP incident report. 

It was also previously reported that 3-on-3 basketball drills were conducted, although this was never confirmed. (READ: Master of Mayhem: How Aldin Ayo’s coaching career unraveled)

While this clears Ayo of any violations from the side of local government units, the Department of Justice (DOJ) still has an ongoing investigation based on the findings of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) group, and UST’s internal investigations.

Additionally, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also confirmed the existence of the bubble and has an ongoing investigation itself even as the UAAP has already slapped Ayo with an indefinite ban from all league activities.

As of posting, 7 players have already left the Growling Tigers program: Former captain CJ Cansino, Rhenz Abando, Brent Paraiso, Ira Bataller, Jun Asuncion, Deo Cuajao, and UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy.

UST has yet to find a head coach to replace Ayo as multiple big-name candidates have applied for the position. – Rappler.com