THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) will oversee the upcoming charity boxing match between Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III, ensuring safety and fairness.
A resolution passed Friday, July 25, 2025, commits GAB to providing a qualified referee and on-site medical team at the request of both participants. GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera and Commissioners Atty. Manuel Plaza III and Angel Bautista signed the resolution.
The GAB’s involvement comes amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the match. Duterte, in a video released on Thursday, set conditions for his participation, including a demand for all elected officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to undergo hair follicle drug testing.
He questioned the charity aspect of the event, suggesting that the framing was a pretext for a personal confrontation. Duterte’s statements included a provocative comment about wanting to “beat up a monkey” and questioning the need to use the recent flooding in Metro Manila as a justification for the charity boxing match.
The planned match follows an initial challenge issued by Duterte in a YouTube vlog last Sunday, where he accused Torre of using his position for perceived bravado and challenged him to a fistfight to settle the matter.
The GAB’s proactive involvement underscores its commitment to regulating the event and ensuring that it is conducted safely and fairly, addressing concerns about the match’s unusual circumstances and the potential for controversy.
