Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte – Photo fromCongressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte/ Facebook
Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte has revised his request for travel authority, from an initial 16-country proposed visit to now just covering the Netherlands and Australia, an official from the House of Representatives stated.
Executive Director Jose Marmoi Salonga of the Office of the Secretary General said the House received Duterte’s first request, to which the chamber replied by seeking more details.
Salonga said the House also requested a revised submission as the travel will overlap with session days, as the 20th Congress will resume by January 26, 2026.
“The House of Representatives confirms receipt of the request for travel clearance from Representative Duterte. The initial request dated December 1, 2025 sought approval for travel from December 15, 2025, to February 20, 2026, covering 17 foreign destinations,” Salonga said.
“In line with this, the House sent a letter to Representative Duterte requesting additional details and a revised submission to facilitate proper evaluation, given the overlap with official session days,” he added.
According to Salonga, Duterte submitted a revised travel request for the Netherlands and Australia from January 3 to January 30, 2026, with a visit to his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, as the stated reason.
“He then submitted a revised request dated December 15, 2025, seeking clearance for travel from January 3 to January 30, 2026, to the Netherlands and Australia. The stated purpose includes visiting former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, currently detained in The Hague, and visiting the Representative’s daughter studying in Australia,” Salonga said.
“The Representative also indicated that all expenses will be covered using personal funds. The revised request is currently under evaluation in accordance with House rules and administrative procedures, considering institutional requirements and official session schedules,” he added.
In the original letter, Duterte listed 16 countries including Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, United States, Australia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio criticized Duterte’s multi-country travel, asking if he is “Miss Universe” on tour, stressing that lawmakers are expected to attend committee hearings and plenary sessions to represent their districts.