AT EXACTLY 6:58 PM, Sunday, October 18, Top Gear Philippines posted a video on their Facebook page of a drunk driver hurling profanities at another motorist he had gotten into an altercation with. The intoxicated citizen began to challenge the driver to a fistfight while in the presence of policemen who were trying to control the situation.

At the time, the identity of the drunk driver was unknown. People in the post’s comments section, as well as those in various Ateneo alumni groups, started to suspect that it was a player from the Ateneo Men’s Basketball team. All the speculation was silenced the following day after a letter from University Athletics Office (UAO) Director Emmanuel Fernandez confirmed that it was Blue Eagle John Apacible.

In an announcement made by Team Manager Epok Quimpo, Apacible was said to have been slapped with a season-long suspension as a result of the incident. Specifically, the Blue Eagle has been barred from playing for the rest of the second elimination round of University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 78, as well as training with the team during this period.

Ground zero

In an interview with The GUIDON, Blue Eagles Head Coach Bo Perasol said that he found out about the debacle through a text from Quimpo. Although initially displeased, Perasol also felt that he was partly responsible for what had transpired.

“Ang initial reaction ko is ‘Bakit mo nagawa ‘to?’ Unang una, ang pangit talaga tignan (My initial reaction to what happened was, ‘Why did you do this?’ First of all, it really is displeasing to look at),” Perasol said. “Hindi ba kita napaalalahanan (Did I not remind you how to behave as an athlete on my team)?”

Perasol was able to speak with Apacible in private regarding the issue and, according to the coach, the claims stated by the owner of the original video posted on the Top Gear Philippines’ Facebook page were false.

“Wala siyang sinaktan. Hindi totoo yung mga initial reports na mayroong sinaktan siya na deliveryman. Parang, simpleng gitgitan lang nila na bumaba siya dahil, siyempre, uminit na ulo niya (He didn’t hurt anyone. The initial reports of him having hurt a deliveryman are false. They were driving really close to one another and eventually, he got hotheaded).”

According to Perasol, Apacible is currently doing fine and has expressed his remorse for the incident. Perasol said he has forgiven Apacible for the latter’s actions, but said that the Blue Eagle must be ready to deal with the direct consequences of his actions. “If you’re not going to suffer, if you’re not going to go through the accountability here, you’re not going learn and you will not become better. He will not know better also,” he said.

Damages and reformation

Apacible faces possible repercussions both as a student carrying the name of the Ateneo as well as a citizen under Philippine law. Section V of the Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances.”

On top of this, Director for Student Services Cholo Mallillin said that Apacible’s actions are in violation of Section III D-14 of the Undergraduate Student Handbook 2012 Edition, which states, “Committing acts outside the campus which affect the good name, order or welfare of the school or have direct and immediate effect on the discipline, morale, or general welfare of the school, especially acts considered crimes under the laws of the land of which the person has been formally charged or convicted.”

Mallillin admitted that it would take a while for the school to determine the extent of Apacible’s sanctions. According to Mallillin, this and other factors may delay the disciplinary board’s decision on the matter by at least one month.

All three interviewees—Perasol, Fernandez, and Mallillin—expressed their disappointment with, but also their support for, the Blue Eagle. A common opinion from each was how this would be a learning experience for Apacible.

Fernandez stated that the punishments that will be given to Apacible will help in his formation about what it means to be an Atenean, while Perasol mentioned how his player’s experience would teach him the value of making the right choices. Mallillin said, “This disciplinary process will hopefully correct that bad behavior that was exhibited and get him back into the community so he can do his responsibilities as a student.”

On Tuesday, October 20, the Ateneo de Manila University Facebook page released a letter signed by Apacible himself. In it, he expressed his apologies to his family, team, school, and all those who were affected by the issue.

“Iniisip ko ang aking sarili at nakalimutan ko po ang aking mga responsibilidad. Handa po akong tanggapin ang anumang maaaring kalabasan ng aking pagkakamali (I thought of only myself and I forgot my responsibilities. I am ready to accept any effects of my wrongdoings),” he wrote.

The GUIDON has not been able to contact John Apacible as of press time.