Ed Jay
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that Davao City Acting Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has left the country just days before his anticipated charity boxing match with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III.
According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, intel from the Bureau of Immigration reported that Duterte flew out of the country early Friday morning, July 25, 2025, aboard Scoot Flight TR 369. He was reportedly accompanied by his family and staff.
The match, scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, had been drawing attention both online and in political circles. Promoted as a charity event, the bout was meant to raise funds for victims of recent typhoons and monsoon rains.
However, Duterte earlier cast doubt on the match pushing through, laying out conditions before agreeing to face Torre.
“Kung serious ka talaga ha, these are my conditions. Pakiusapan mo ‘yang amo mo na Presidente, let it come out of his mouth that all elected officials should undergo a hair follicle drug test. Papalagan ko ‘yang charity-charity mo na ‘yan,” Duterte declared in a public statement on Thursday, July 24.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, when asked for comment, gave a light-hearted response: “Hindi ko alam kung matutuloy. Kung matuloy man, eh good luck!”
Meanwhile, Gen. Torre has continued his preparations, training at the PNP gym in Camp Crame on Thursday. A day earlier, Duterte was also seen training in a now-viral video on social media.
Despite Duterte’s absence, Torre said the relief operations will proceed. “It’s all up to him… It will be at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. A (boxing) ring is already being set up there. There are already sponsors who committed to giving ayuda to those affected by the typhoon,” he said in an interview after his training session.
“Anytime, I am ready. Now if he’s not there, we will just continue with our activity of giving ayuda to our kababayan,” he added.
The charity event is set to take place on Sunday, July 27, at 9:00 a.m. at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
