DAVAO City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte has significantly scaled back his request for travel authority, now seeking permission to visit only the Netherlands and Australia, according to an official from the House of Representatives. Initially, Duterte had requested clearance for a 16-country trip spanning from December 15, 2025, to February 20, 2026.
Executive Director Jose Marmoi Salonga of the Office of the Secretary General confirmed that the House had requested additional details and a revised submission due to the overlap with official session days, as the 20th Congress is scheduled to resume on January 26, 2026.
In response, Duterte submitted a revised request dated December 15, 2025, seeking clearance to travel to the Netherlands and Australia from January 3 to January 30, 2026. The stated purpose of the trip includes visiting his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, and visiting his daughter studying in Australia.
Salonga noted that Duterte indicated that all expenses would be covered using personal funds. The revised request is currently under evaluation in accordance with House rules and administrative procedures, considering institutional requirements and official session schedules.
Duterte’s initial travel request, which included destinations such as Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Singapore, drew criticism from ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, who questioned the necessity of such an extensive trip.
The timing of Duterte’s travel request has also raised eyebrows, given the recent arrest and detention of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2025.
The ICC, which is based in The Hague, is investigating Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s drug war. While the revised travel request does not explicitly mention the ICC case, the inclusion of the Netherlands as a destination has fueled speculation that Duterte may be seeking to provide support or assistance to his father in connection with the ongoing legal proceedings.
