Baste Duterte Backs Out, But Torre’s Charity Match Still Delivers P20M in Relief
BASTE DUTERTE – What was supposed to be a charity boxing showdown turned into a powerful fundraiser, raising over P20 million for flood victims—even without Mayor Baste Duterte entering the ring.
The charity boxing match between Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte has successfully raised over P20 million in cash assistance and relief goods for victims of recent flooding.
Although Duterte did not appear at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, resulting in Torre being declared the winner by default, the event still fulfilled its greater mission—gathering support for those affected by widespread calamities.
Torre took the opportunity after his default win to share the impact of the event. He expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the cause. “You are our sponsors and donors—thank you very much,” Torre said. “As of the latest report, we collected P340,000 from entrance fees and raised P16 million from donors outside the event.”
In addition to the monetary donations, Torre shared that the PNP received substantial in-kind contributions. “We also have two tons of rice and canned goods amounting to P4.2 million. Thank you for your support,” he added.
The PNP chief confirmed that all collected donations—including both cash and relief goods—will be turned over to key humanitarian organizations. The beneficiaries include the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Philippine Red Cross, and its Quezon City chapter.
Following the event, Torre personally visited flood-affected communities near Baseco Port in Manila to begin distributing aid and assess the immediate needs of residents.
This effort comes as the country continues to experience the effects of the southwest monsoon, or habagat, compounded by the recent onslaught of severe tropical storms Crising, Dante, and Emong. According to the latest data, these weather events have impacted 6.5 million people, or about 1.8 million families across the country.
With the habagat still affecting large areas, the support raised through the match offers a much-needed lifeline to families struggling to recover from the devastation.