Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte took a jab—verbally, not physically—at Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, calling him the country’s new “Pambansang Kamao” after their scheduled boxing match didn’t push through.
Torre was declared the “winner by default” when Baste failed to show up for the fight, a fact that even caught the attention of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during his State of the Nation Address (SONA). The President jokingly named Torre among notable Filipino athletes, dubbing him a “new champion.”
On his podcast “Basta Dabawenyo,” Baste offered a sarcastic congratulations to Torre, saying, “You’ve replaced Manny Pacquiao.”
The mayor also addressed criticism from some lawmakers over his earlier challenge for government officials to undergo a hair follicle drug test. Baste clarified that the call was mainly directed at the First Family.
No further details were provided about why Baste skipped the boxing match or whether it will be rescheduled. The incident has stirred both political and public reactions, especially given the high-profile names involved.
