MANILA, Philippines — Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said he won’t be able to face off in the ring with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Sunday as previously hyped, citing “other things to do.”
In a video message posted on his Facebook page Saturday evening, Duterte announced that he’s unavailable on Sunday, July 27, the originally floated date for their proposed charity boxing match, which has since caught national attention.
“I cannot be there on Sunday. I have other things to do. But Tuesday, I’m available. Tuesday, Wednesday, but not Sunday,” Duterte said. “Tuesday, Wednesday, or any other day.”
Duterte, who had earlier dared the police chief to a fight, also took the opportunity to poke fun at Torre’s boxing form.
“It’s better for you because you still have time to practice,” he quipped. “Your jab is sloppy. You jab, and then your hand drops. Always protect your face. Jab and bring it back fast. Just some advice—practice.”
The proposed fight, which Torre had said would be a charity bout for the benefit of flood victims in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, is now hanging in limbo. Duterte questioned the motives behind linking the match to charitable causes.
“If you really just want to fight, why do you need charity? Why use what’s happening with the floods?” Duterte said, casting doubt on the sincerity of Torre’s intentions.
The Davao City mayor went even further—challenging Torre to a bare-knuckle fight, away from cameras, and without gloves.
“If you want, I’ll come to you. No cameras. Let’s fight, no gloves. Why do we need all that? Are you serious about this or is this just for showbiz?” he added.
In an unexpected twist, Duterte also laid down a new condition before agreeing to any match: that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and all elected officials submit to hair follicle drug testing.
The drama began earlier this week when Duterte—known for his provocative and often unfiltered remarks—challenged Gen. Torre to a fistfight after a series of heated exchanges. Torre responded by accepting the dare but proposed the fight be used to raise funds for victims of recent tropical cyclones.
With the bout now postponed and tensions still simmering, the nation watches closely—uncertain if this political-pugilistic showdown will ever make it to the ring, or if it will remain a sideshow in the social media circus.
Meanwhile, critics and netizens are divided—some praising the boldness, others calling it a distraction from more pressing national issues.
