Paolo Duterte Speaks on Baste-Torre Clash
PAOLO DUTERTE – The brother of acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte shared his thoughts on the proposed boxing match between Baste and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
According to Paolo, both parties should sign a legal waiver from a lawyer stating that neither will be held liable in case something serious happens—such as death—during or after the fight.
He also said Torre should not impose conditions if his true intention is to help flood victims. If Torre wants to help, Paolo emphasized, he should simply donate directly to those affected and not use the fight as a platform.
Paolo echoed his brother’s call for all politicians to undergo a drug test before the match takes place.
The issue began when Baste challenged Torre to a fistfight during a podcast around July 20, 2025, calling the PNP chief a coward. The reason behind Baste’s outburst remains unclear, but his dare quickly went viral and sparked online buzz.
Torre responded by accepting the challenge but proposed a charity boxing match instead, aiming to raise funds for disaster relief. He suggested venues like Rizal Memorial or Araneta Coliseum and even posted training videos, showing his readiness to face someone younger and stronger.
Baste added a condition—mandatory drug testing for all elected officials—prompting speculation that he may be deflecting from the original challenge. Nonetheless, Torre stood firm. Sponsors began expressing interest, and Senator Ping Lacson revealed that a resort had offered to host the match.
Online reactions were mixed. Some questioned Baste’s motives and boxing skills, while others commended Torre’s calm and charitable response. As the public awaits further developments, the match—if it happens—could become more than just a viral challenge, potentially turning into a fight for a cause.