President Marcos Jr. Highlights Boxing Champions and PNP Chief
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) took a lighter tone when he praised the country’s boxing heroes as role models, notably including the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III. This mention of the PNP chief alongside renowned athletes marked a unique moment in the speech.
Marcos emphasized the vital role of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) in nurturing sports talents. He highlighted their efforts in helping young Filipinos aspire to become champions like their idols, a testament to the government’s continued support for sports programs nationwide.
PNP Chief Nicolas Torre Joins Boxing Champions List
During the SONA, Marcos named several celebrated Filipino athletes, including Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Caloy Yulo, Ira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, EJ Obiena, and Alex Eala. He then humorously added, “let’s include our new champ, PNP chief Nic Torre.” This brought laughter and applause from the audience, while Torre himself stood to acknowledge the recognition.
The president’s lighthearted joke referred to a recent charity boxing match where Torre was declared the winner after acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte failed to attend. Duterte had flown to Singapore before the event, leading to a default victory for Torre.
Sports Support and Community Aid Through Boxing
The charity boxing bout was held at Rizal Memorial Coliseum and drew over 2,000 spectators, according to local officials. The match was arranged after Duterte claimed in his podcast that he could beat Torre in a fistfight. Torre responded by proposing a formal boxing match, with proceeds going to victims of recent flooding caused by typhoons and the southwest monsoon.
Following the event, Torre announced that entrance fees raised more than P300,000, while corporate donations exceeded P16 million. These funds are intended to support Filipinos affected by extreme weather conditions, demonstrating how sports can unite communities for a meaningful cause.
“Because of them, our youth are introduced to sports early, become skilled and confident. They follow in the steps of our champions and world-class athletes like (former senator) Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Caloy Yulo, Ira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, EJ Obiena, Alex Eala […] let’s include our new champ, PNP chief Nic Torre,” Marcos said during his remarks.
Marcos also joked that the PNP chief was taken by surprise, adding a warm and relatable moment to the proceedings. The inclusion of Torre among top athletes underscores a fresh narrative blending public service and sportsmanship.
For more news and updates on President Marcos Jr. State of the Nation Address, visit Filipinokami.com.
