Philippines, 04 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Duterte, the last hope, now a cult


PhilBoxing.com




RONY Tobias, a shy, smiling breadmaker, will never be caught wondering about the phenomenal support and adulation the controversial presidential race frontrunner Rodrigo Duterte continues to draw despite hysterical and breathless bombardment from opponents, led by President Aquino himself.

Tobias called up early Friday to ask whether or not Malaca?ang has ordered for diggings around the Luneta park, where Duterte was scheduled to show up on stage for yesterday?s grand rally, miting de avance, that was expected to draw mammoth attendance. (?Boss, kinakalkal yata yung lupa sa Luneta, akala nila mapipigil pagpunta ng mga tao ni Sir Digong.?)

Also on Friday, my friend Bebs Alvarez, prized television sports program director, reported that Duterte supporters from as far as North Cotabato had started their land trek, via the national highway, expecting to hit Zero Km. in time for the grand rally.

* * *

Objective observers both here and abroad continued to be astonished by the phenomenal groundswell of support for Duterte.

As early as two weeks back, my kumpadre Nandy Charvet, well-admired civic leader in Mandaluyong City, said it would be just a matter of days before Duterte would claim victory.

Nandy, batting for Anthony Suva, lead vice mayoralty aspirant in Mandaluyong, swore that Duterte has remained unshaken due to a charm spiritually assigned on him by believers who desperately cry for change.

* * *

Charvet, citing one seasoned successful politician in the city, swore Duterte is no longer a mere candidate.

Duterte has become a cult.

It?s no exaggeration, Charvet said, to liken the devotion for Duterte to the fanatical faith basketball fans have lavished on the dear old Barangay Ginebra team of Robert Jaworski.

* * *

It won?t be easy to explain. All Rony Tobias remembers was getting up early some five months back to look for a cardboard and make a small poster for Duterte, using an old pentel pen. He plastered the makeshift poster on his rundown motorbike, to show all over town.

Tobias later saved something like P4,000 from his bakery earnings and personally delivered this as contribution to the Duterte campaign fund in its headquarters off Boni Avenue.

Tobias refused to give his full name and address to the desk secretary, who said they would be needing it for future reference.

* * *

There are countless other Duterte devotees like Tobias all over the country.

?Siya na lang talaga huling pag-asa natin,? Tobias explained.

He said there?s no way poor Filipinos?workers, farmers, fishers, diggers, scavengers, etc.?can let this last bullet misfire or miss.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS TADURAN VS. PEREZ WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Fri, 03 Apr 2026
  • PLANET ICE FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AS BROWN AND DUCAR FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
    , Fri, 03 Apr 2026
  • Battle of the Trades Returns for Its 3rd Year April 25 at Torrey Pines Community Resource Center in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 03 Apr 2026
  • Bobby Laing vs. Russ Kimber in intriguing Intra-state match-up between Massachusetts Light Heavyweights on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
    , Fri, 03 Apr 2026
  • PH chess wizard Jacobb Seda ties for 1st, settles for silver on tiebreaks in Thailand meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Apr 2026
  • Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Waiting to beat Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight?
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion  Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Jimuel in Action on Friday!
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • “Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 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.