Philippines, 11 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Do you like Mayor Rodrigo Duterte?


PhilBoxing.com




IT?S never easy to dislike Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City. The guy has a kind of candor and dedication rarely seen in Filipino politicians.

In fact, it?s doubtful if Duterte honestly considers himself a politician.

Duterte, 70, is quite admirable in his own inimitable way.
Many people also find him too good to be true.

**

One of them is US-based Filipino aeronautics engineer Anthony Andales of Cebu, who sidelines as an international boxing correspondent from his base in South Carolina.

He said: ?My thing is I know people want him. But do we have to sacrifice our values in order to have a more effective president? I know I like him, but if he continues to show indecency, things may change-- baka mag-iba ihip ng hangin.?
Duterte, indeed, owns great credentials, feats and record achievements badly needed here at home in these troubled times.

**

In a random street poll done by this commuting reporter, Duterte was an overwhelming choice for president among taxi drivers around Metro Manila the past two months.

One reliable source inside the city police department here in Mandaluyong said majority of the city cops would be voting for Duterte, as they continued to hope for honest reforms around.
Of course, what stands out is Duterte?s iron-fist rule in Davao City, which has caused that metropolis in troubled Mindanao to be selected as one of the safest places in the world.

**

This clamor for a Duterte presidency evidently reflects the frustration over the breakdown of law and order in the country, centering on the rampaging problem of drug addiction.

Those we had been able to talk to were one in looking up to Duterte as a messiah who could save the country from total ruin. The man could be coarse and crude, disrespectful and dirty. But what they find in him is a no-nonsense real-life reformer, his own man, no false sideburns, no borrowed heroism, nothing of the movieworld fantasy many politicians love to ride on.

**

In that well-applauded proclamation speech, Duterte went out of his way to detail some of his frailities, like having two wives and two girlfriends. (?If I can love 100 million Filipinos, why can?t I love four women??) He also confided how he had killed criminals, like a band that robbed, raped, killed and left human waste in the victims? lair afterwards. He said he killed the criminals with his own hand, left them to roast and toast in their vehicle which he had ordered burned later.

Call it slip of the tongue, or going out of bounds, but he was heard and seen cursing at Pope Francis when he touched on official incompetence that created hellish traffic jams during the papal visit last January.

As expected, that irreverent portion of the Dutertre speech went viral on social media, was headline stuff the morning after.

**

Columnist Ramon Tulfo, a good friend of Duterte, received several text messages on Monday denouncing the outspoken mayor of Davao City.

?Please tell Mayor Duterte to keep his dignity, stop playing to the crowd,? said one message.

Another texter said in the vernacular that Duterte should be honorable, and quit behaving like an outrageous braggart??Kailangan maginoong matapang, hindi bastos na mayabang.?

**

A little loose of tongue, Duterte appeared dazed and tentative, a little high, during the touchy portions of his speech.
The Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCP) wasted no time and hit Duterte for immoral language and behaviour.

The PDP-Laban, Duterte?s party, apologized on behalf of its standard bearer.

**

Duterte later said sorry, claiming he won?t be a fool to curse the Pope. He claimed he was misinterpreted, adding he would readily step out of the presidential race if Pope Francis so wishes.

Anthony Andales later also received a text message wondering if Duterte would end up being a messiah or a godless gimmickero.

**

Or do we all end up hooking another perfect fool for free?
Yesterday, there came a text message which said: ?TAYO NA SA TUNAY NA PAGBABAGO. Be counted in as RODRIGO R. DUTERTE VOLUNTEER. Please type in your name, address, date of birth. No money involved.?

A cellphone number was left for those interested: +639220001501


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.