Jamaine Punzalan

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Z. Duterte attends the opening session of the 20th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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20th CONGRESS- OPENING SESSION

Hernel Tocmo

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176549945667120250728-20th-congress-paolo-duterte-JC0244.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Davao City First District Rep. Paolo &quot;Pulong&quot; Z. Duterte attends the opening session of the 20th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte said on Thursday that the “world tour narrative” pushed by his critics was misleading and clarified that the 17 countries listed in his travel clearance included possible stopovers.</p><p>Duterte earlier sought clearance from the House of Representatives to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/paolo-duterte-seeks-clearance-to-travel-to-17-countries-1701">travel to 17 countries </a>from Dec. 15, 2025 to Feb. 20, 2026. </p><p>In a letter to the Office of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III dated Dec. 1, 2025, Duterte identified Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, United States, Australia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Singapore as his intended destinations.</p><p>The congressman said that all his trips have corresponding official travel clearances from the House and that it was standard government practice to include all possible stopovers or transit countries in the travel authority in case of rerouting or changes in flight itineraries.</p><p>“My attention has been drawn to online claims saying that I supposedly went on a ‘world tour.’ This is exactly what people do when they have no credibility. They fabricate stories about others,” Duterte said in Bisaya. </p><p>Duterte released his previous travel clearances dated May 28, Aug. 4, Sept. 10, and Oct. 3, 2025, where he listed the countries he visited for personal trips.</p><p>“This is exactly what I used to do before every time I visited my father in the Netherlands — it’s just standard procedure. This isn’t luxury, this isn’t a gimmick — it’s purely compliance. But of course, critics prefer drama over facts,” he said. </p><p>He added that Davaoeños were familiar with his work ethic, which he described as quiet, straightforward, and without theatrics.</p><p>“I won’t be distracted by their political noise. And to be honest — Dabawenyos, don’t let yourselves be fooled by the opposition… they’re CORNY because they can’t defend their flood control and DSWD corruption issues,” he said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/4/paolo-duterte-declines-vague-ambiguous-ici-invitation-1003">Paolo Duterte declines ‘vague, ambiguous’ ICI invitation</a></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpulongzduterte%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0i3b4dmcaMpKDodETUsTQrbowzw4kJGXLoaxUNdVF9KtBRVhfjUV17hKc7C11sQHNl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Some lawmakers have questioned Duterte’s planned two-month trip, with ACT Teachers party-List Rep. Antonio Tinio saying that the public should expect a “higher standard of service” from lawmakers. </p><p>“Well, ano ba siya? Kinatawan ng distrito o Miss Universe? Trabaho ng isang congressman ay katawanin ang kanyang distrito,” he said of Duterte. </p><p>(What is he, a district representative or Miss Universe? A congressman&#x27;s job is to represent their district.)</p><p>Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Duterte should ensure he is available to attend proceedings related to Davao City infrastructure projects.</p><p>“So hopefully, within the two months na mawala siya, pagka nagpatawag po, for example, ‘yung Office of Ombudsman na further proceedings on Davao City projects, magpakita ho si Congressman Duterte sa Ombudsman,” Ridon said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/10/paolo-duterte-s-planned-17-country-tour-raises-questions-from-colleagues-1921">Paolo Duterte&#x27;s planned 17-country tour raises questions from colleagues</a></div><p>Meanwhile, Malacañang said residents of Davao City&#x27;s First District should be informed that their congressman would be away from work for more than two months.</p><p>“Kahit hindi siya official travel, kasi lahat ng public servant, dapat nagsisilbi sa bayan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.</p><p>(Even if it is not official travel since all public servants should be serving the country.)</p><p>“Kung magbabakasyon ng mahigit dalawang buwan, hindi natin alam kung papaano niya i-explain ito sa kanyang constituents,” she added.</p><p>(If he will be on vacation for more than two months, we don&#x27;t know how he will explain that to his constituents.)</p><div><iframe width="1295" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7yM-37R6c4Q" title="Confrontation over P51-B allocation for &#x27;Paolo Duterte&#x27;s district&#x27; during father&#x27;s term" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1295" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/42RbXjM-9NM" title="Paolo Duterte seeks House probe into Zaldy Co’s allegations | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte said on Thursday that the “world tour narrative” pushed by his critics was misleading and clarified that the 17 countries listed in his travel clearance included possible stopovers.</p>

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte said on Thursday that the “world tour narrative” pushed by his critics was misleading and clarified that the 17 countries listed in his travel clearance included possible stopovers.

Paolo Duterte rejects ‘world tour’ criticism of overseas trips, says travel clearance includes stopovers

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Paolo Duterte rejects ‘world tour’ criticism of overseas trips, says travel clearance includes stopovers

Hernel Tocmo

Published December 12, 2025 08:36 AM PHT

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