Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte rejected claims that his overseas travels amount to a “world tour,” stressing that all his trips abroad are covered by official travel clearances from the House of Representatives.
On his official Facebook page, Duterte explained that including all potential stopovers or transit countries in travel authorities is standard government procedure. Any changes in flight routes or stops do not affect the clearance.
He said this has been his practice whenever visiting his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in the Netherlands.
“Dili ni luho, dili ni gimmick — compliance ra gyud ni (Ito ay hindi isang luho, ito ay hindi isang gimik — ito ay pagsunod lamang),” he said.
Duterte added, “Pero syempre, mas ganahan ang kritiko ug drama kaysa facts,” noting that critics prefer drama over facts.
He emphasized that his trips are for work, family obligations, and public service, not leisure.
The clarification comes after ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio recently questioned Duterte’s request for travel clearance to visit 17 countries in two months.
Duterte insisted that his travels are part of official duties and responsibilities, not a “world tour.”