Malacaรฑang delivered a sharp counterpunch on Wednesday, urging Davao City Rep. Paolo โPulongโ Duterte to account to his constituents for his planned two-month trip across 16 countriesโeven if he insists the travel is personal and paid for out of pocket.
Palace press officer Claire Castro didnโt mince words, saying that while the congressman may frame the journey as private, public office comes with public accountability. She stressed that voters deserve to know why their representative will be abroad from Dec. 15, 2025 to Feb. 20, 2026, and how he plans to fulfill his duties from halfway across the world. โHeโll have to explain that to his constituents,โ Castro said. โHe knows what heโs doing.โ
Duterteโs letter to Speaker Bojie Dy sought permission to travel through a whirlwind itinerary โ from Hong Kong and Japan to France, Germany, the US, and more โ while attending House sessions virtually. He emphasized that he wonโt use public funds for the trip, and asked for approval out of โesteemed appreciation.โ
But the request raised eyebrows, especially since Duterte made a similar 16-country circuit earlier this year โ one that closely followed the arrest of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now in ICC custody in The Hague. With motives unclear and timing once again striking, Palace officials say the congressman owes his district full transparency.
Image from MindaNews