Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña has spoken out against those calling Davao City acting mayor Baste Duterte “bakla” after he laid down conditions for his much-publicized boxing match against PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
“Don’t call Baste ‘bakla’ just because he backed out or put conditions on a fight he initiated. Many gay people are courageous and principled,” Cendaña asserted in a statement released on July 25.
Cendaña, who is openly gay and a long-time LGBTQIA+ rights advocate, emphasized that using the term “bakla” to question someone’s courage reinforces harmful stereotypes. “Maraming bakla ang matapang at may paninindigan,” he added.
The controversy erupted after Mayor Baste made headlines with aggressive remarks toward Gen. Torre and called for drug testing for all elected officials under President Marcos’ administration before the boxing match. His brother, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, later demanded Torre sign a waiver to protect Baste from legal consequences in case of injury or death during the bout.
While the boxing match was initially confirmed to push through at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, the public backlash and new conditions have cast uncertainty over whether the fight will actually happen.
