Pulong Duterte seeks travel clearance for 16-country trip anew

Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has asked Speaker and Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III for a travel clearance from December 15 to February 20, 2026, for a two-month trip covering at least 16 countries.

In a letter to the Speaker, Duterte said his request covers travel to the following destinations:

• Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)
• China
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• South Korea
• Japan
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• United States
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• The Netherlands
• Germany
• France
• Belgium
• Italy
• Singapore

“Rest assured that the expenses that will be incurred from this trip are from my personal funds alone,” Duterte said.

He likewise requested permission to join plenary sessions remotely while he is abroad.

“In addition, this is also to seek your kind indulgence in allowing this Representation to attend the scheduled plenary sessions and meetings virtually during the aforementioned dates," he said. 

"It is with esteemed appreciation if this will merit your preferential action and approval,” Duterte wrote.

Congressman Duterte is the son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, over alleged crimes against humanity related to the drug war killings.

Last March, the House of Representatives, then led by Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, granted Duterte a travel clearance, also covering 16 destinations.

The Davao lawmaker was previously granted authority to travel to Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Singapore.—MCG, GMA Integrated News