A letter sent by Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III shows the lawmaker is seeking approval to travel across at least 16 countries from December 2025 to early February 2026. His office later confirmed the authenticity of the request, saying someone from the chamber disclosed what he described as a confidential document.
The congressman wrote that he intends to be abroad from December 15, 2025 until February 20, 2026, listing destinations such as Hong Kong, China, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and the United States, among others. “This is to request for a travel clearance for my upcoming travel to Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, United States, Australia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and Singapore from the 15th of December 2025 to 20th of February, 2026,” Duterte said in his letter.
He also asked to attend House proceedings online while outside the country. “Rest assured that the expenses that will be incurred from this trip are from my personal funds alone. In addition, this is also to seek your kind indulgence in allowing this Representation to attend the scheduled plenary sessions and meetings virtually from the aforementioned dates. It is with esteemed appreciation if this will merit your preferential action and approval,” Duterte added.
Earlier this year, Duterte was granted a similar clearance covering a largely identical list of destinations. That approval, issued in March, allowed him to travel between March 20 and May 10, including a stop in Northern Ireland, according to House sources.
No explanation has been offered for the upcoming travel, although the Davao lawmaker undertook his previous tour soon after his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested on March 11 and placed in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The former president is facing accusations of crimes against humanity related to the anti-drug campaign pursued during his time as Davao mayor and later as chief executive.
Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile, has embarked on numerous foreign trips this year, including five visits to The Hague. She has also gone to Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Australia, Qatar and Malaysia, saying her travel to Japan and Australia was personal.
