Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte Shortens Overseas Travel Plans Amid House Session Conflicts

Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has amended his initially ambitious overseas travel itinerary after being advised by the House of Representatives leadership that his original schedule conflicted with official session dates.

Originally, Duterte sought travel clearance from December 15, 2025, to February 20, 2026, encompassing visits to 17 countries including Hong Kong, China, the United States, and multiple European nations. In his formal request to House Speaker Faustino Dy III, he listed destinations such as Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Singapore.

However, Executive Director Jose Marmoi Salonga disclosed that the Office of the Secretary General requested additional information and a revision of the application to ensure compliance with official session days, which overlap with the initial travel window.

Responding to this, Duterte submitted a revised travel authority dated December 15, reducing his trip to a period from January 3 to 30, 2026. This adjusted itinerary limits his visits to the Netherlands and Australia. According to Salonga, the purposes of the journeys include meeting former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, and visiting the representative's daughter, who is studying in Australia. Duterte has also stated that all associated costs will be borne personally.

The revised travel request is currently undergoing evaluation in accordance with House regulations and administrative procedures, taking into account institutional requirements and the schedule of official sessions. It is noteworthy that the House will observe a Christmas recess starting December 23, resuming sessions on January 26, 2026.

The original extended travel plan drew criticism from Representative Antonio Tinio of the PL and ACT parties, who questioned its timing and motives. Tinio voiced concerns that such a lengthy absence coincided with Duterte's refusal to undergo investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure regarding alleged irregularities in flood control projects within Davao City. Tinio emphasized that while legislators may take personal trips, these should not interfere with official session periods and should preferably occur during designated congressional breaks.