HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez has granted Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte travel clearance for his personal trip to 18 countries from March 20 to May 10, 2025.
The official document, Travel Clearance No. IPRS-0325-PT7599, was signed by House Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco, authorizing Duterte to visit Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Singapore.
Under House rules, lawmakers are required to secure official clearance for international travel, a privilege granted by the Speaker of the House. However, Rep. Duterte has not disclosed the specific purpose of his travels.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte, Rep. Duterte’s sister, is in The Hague, Netherlands, where their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs.
Sara expressed her gratitude to the Filipino community in Europe for organizing gatherings in support of her father and reiterated her hopes of bringing him back to the Philippines.
Sara revealed in a media interview that her sister, Veronica Duterte, is expected to join her in the Netherlands ahead of their father’s 80th birthday on March 28.
She also confirmed that her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and her father’s current partner, Honeylet Avanceña, are set to arrive in The Hague in time for the birthday celebrations.
While Rep. Duterte is yet to arrive in the Netherlands, their younger brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, will not be joining them due to his campaign commitments in the city. DEF