MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Sunday was declared the winner by default in a charity boxing match after acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte failed to show up at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

The match, initially prompted by Duterte’s online challenge to Torre, pushed through despite his absence and raised more than PHP20 million in total donations, including PHP16.3 million in cash, PHP4.2 million worth of relief goods, and PHP350,000 in ticket sales.

“You’re winner, General Nicolas Torre III!,” the ring announcer declared after the crowd joined a countdown waiting for Duterte’s arrival, which never came.

With “Eye of the Tiger” playing in the background, Torre entered the ring after four undercard bouts featuring boxers from the PNP Boxing Team. He later confirmed that all proceeds would be donated to communities affected by recent typhoons.

“We will be donating all the proceeds to all our kababayan(s) affected by the typhoon. In fact, we will be going to Baseco (Manila) later to deliver assistance,” Torre said. He added that the donations would be turned over to agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Red Cross.

Torre’s camp began preparing for the bout after Duterte issued a statement conditioning his participation on all elected officials—including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—undergoing drug testing.

Torre dismissed Duterte’s demands. “Unang una, kaming dalawa lang naman ang involve dito. Kung hair follicle test sa aming dalawa at anytime, anywhere ay pwedeng pwede na mag hair follicle test kami. Nakita niyo naman napakalaki ng ating effort at pagod na inilagay dito at I don’t think he is worth responding to at this point in time. Parang hayaan na muna natin siya sa kanyang mundo,” he said.

Duterte had initially floated the idea of a fistfight with Torre during a podcast episode. Torre accepted the challenge, turning it into a charity event for disaster relief. However, Duterte’s subsequent conditions and shifting schedules cast doubt on his commitment.

He later proposed rescheduling the fight between Tuesday to Friday this week, but Torre rejected the idea.

“Nasabi na natin ang lahat so this is the only one and only chance na palagay ko ay papansinin pa natin siya… Kapag nag-challenge ka, dapat panindigan mo na ang challenge mo. Kapag hindi mo kayang panindigan, tigil na lang,” Torre said.

“I don’t think there is still logic in anything he would say anymore. Ang credibility kase parang maloko mo ako one time, shame on you, maloko mo ako dalawang beses, shame on me,” he added.

Among the attendees at the event were Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, National Police Commission Vice Chairman Raphael Calinisan, and other senior PNP officials. (PNA)