Torre versus Duterte
Lacson On Torre versus Duterte Boxing Match Showdown
Casino CEO Offers Venue for Torre vs. Baste Charity Boxing Match - Lacson
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed on Thursday that the chief executive officer of a prominent resort casino hotel has expressed willingness to provide the venue for the much-talked-about charity boxing match between Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Nicolas “Nick” Torre III and Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte. The senator, himself a former PNP chief, shared the news via a post on X (formerly Twitter), citing a credible source.
“A credible source told me last night, the CEO of a popular resort casino hotel, a well-known philanthropist, is willing to open their ballroom for the ‘charity boxing match’ between Nick Torre and Baste Duterte,” Lacson posted.
Lacson expressed support for the unconventional event, emphasizing its potential to generate aid for flood victims in the country. “For the sake of the many poor flood victims, let’s do it!” he added, referring to the proposed match's goal of raising funds for those affected by recent disasters.
The proposed face-off stems from a challenge issued by Mayor Duterte in a vlog posted on YouTube last Sunday, where he called out General Torre and dared him to a fistfight. In response, Torre publicly accepted the challenge on Wednesday, suggesting that the bout be turned into a "charity boxing match" for a good cause.
The verbal spat between the two officials has captured public attention, drawing a mix of amusement, concern, and curiosity across social media. While no official date or agreement has been finalized, the willingness of a private sector player to provide a venue adds a new dimension to the unfolding story, which continues to blur the lines between political tensions and public spectacle.
If the charity match does push through, it could mark a rare moment in Philippine politics where conflict is resolved in the boxing ring, not in the courtroom or through press conferences and potentially with humanitarian benefits. However, critics argue that such a spectacle may undermine the seriousness of their respective offices, especially during times of crisis.
As of writing, both camps have yet to confirm the details of the match, but interest remains high, with many Filipinos waiting to see whether this unique bout will go from online challenge to live event.