Palace on Pulong Duterte's trips abroad: Up to him

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Wednesday that it is up to Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte to travel but his constituents should know his trips. 

At a press briefing, Castro was asked for comment on Duterte's request to 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 17 countries.

''Nais niyang magbiyahe, may pera siya, gamit niya ang pera niya sabi niya. Eh 17 countries, di nasa kaniya po iyon,'' Castro said.

(If he wants to travel, he has his own money... that's 17 countries, it's up to him.)

''At kailangan din sigurong malaman ng constituents niya na siya ay nasa ibang bansa at nasa bakasyon nang halos more than two months. So, wala tayong masasabi kung iyon ang nais niya,'' she added.

(His constituents should also know that he is in other countries, and on vacation for almost more than two months. So, we can't say anything if that's what he wants.) 

In a letter to the Speaker, the lawmaker 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

Duterte said that the expenses that would be incurred for his trip are from his personal funds alone. He likewise requested permission to join plenary sessions remotely while he is abroad.

The congressman 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.—AOL, GMA Integrated News