PNP Chief Wins Charity Boxing Match by Default as Baste Duterte Fails to Appear
Manila, The Gulf Observer: Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III was declared the winner by default in a highly publicized charity boxing match on Sunday, after acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte failed to appear at the event held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
The charity match, organized to raise funds for typhoon victims, generated over PHP 20 million in cash donations, ticket sales, and relief goods. Among the guests present were Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, National Police Commission Vice Chairman Raphael Calinisan, and senior officials from the PNP.
Following four undercard bouts featuring the PNP Boxing Team, the main event was anticipated by a crowd that later joined the ring announcer in counting down Baste Duterte’s expected arrival. When he did not show up, the announcer formally declared:
“Your winner, General Nicolas Torre III!”
To the background of the iconic song “Eye of the Tiger”, Gen. Torre jogged into the ring, symbolizing the culmination of weeks of preparation. According to Torre, the PNP received approximately PHP 16.3 million in cash from sponsors, two tons of relief goods valued at PHP 4.2 million, and ticket sales amounting to PHP 350,000.
“All proceeds will go directly to our kababayans affected by the recent typhoons,” Torre announced. “We will personally deliver assistance to Baseco later today, with donations routed through organizations such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Red Cross.”
The charity boxing match stemmed from Duterte’s earlier remarks in a podcast, where he challenged Torre to a fistfight. Torre responded positively, proposing a charity match to turn the challenge into a humanitarian cause. However, the event was clouded by a series of public statements from Duterte, including a demand that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and all elected officials undergo drug testing as a condition for his participation.
Torre dismissed these demands, stating:
“This match involved just the two of us. Hair follicle tests? Anytime, anywhere. We’ve already invested great effort and preparation. At this point, I don’t believe he is worth a response. Let him stay in his own world.”
Despite Duterte later expressing willingness to fight between Tuesday and Friday, Torre declined, emphasizing the importance of following through on challenges.
“There were too many conditions. Even a child knows: if you issue a challenge, you should stand by it. If not, then step back,” he said.
Torre concluded that the event had to proceed regardless of Duterte’s absence, citing the commitments made by donors and the importance of delivering aid to disaster-stricken communities.
“There’s no longer logic in anything he says. Credibility matters—fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I’m not like his supporters who he can fool all the time,” Torre remarked.
The charity match not only spotlighted the importance of accountability in public discourse but also showcased how public service can be channeled into meaningful support for those in need, even in unconventional formats like the boxing ring.
