Pulong Duterte cuts travel request to two destinations

Davao City lawmaker Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has revised his request for a travel authority, reducing the destinations to just 2 instead of 17 as he previously declared. 

This was confirmed by the executive director of the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives.

Duterte had earlier requested for clearance to travel from December 15, 2025 to February 20, 2026 to 17 foreign destinations, including the Netherlands where his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte is incarcerated for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.

"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," said lawyer Marmoi Salonga, Executive Director of the House Office of the Secretary General.

"The revised request is currently under evaluation in accordance with House rules and administrative procedures, considering institutional requirements and official session schedules," Salonga added.

Likewise, Duterte reiterated in his revised travel request that all his expenses will be covered using personal funds.

House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio earlier said that Duterte's planned overseas trip in 17 destinations made the Davao lawmaker appear like a Miss Universe representative rather than a House member.  —with reports from Tina Panganiban-Perez/ VAL, GMA Integrated News