ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio on Wednesday, December 10, criticized the planned 16-country foreign trip of Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, questioning whether the lawmaker was acting like a ‘Miss Universe’ on tour instead of doing his job in Congress.
He said lawmakers are expected to be physically present in committee hearings and plenary sessions to properly represent the interests of their constituents.
In particular, Tinio stressed that the job of a district representative requires personal participation in legislative work and not mere virtual attendance.
He added that watching House sessions through livestreams does not amount to real involvement in lawmaking.
Moreover, Tinio questioned the timing of Duterte’s travel request, which came days after he refused to appear before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
In addition, he pointed out that virtual attendance in House sessions is only allowed through a formal process set by House leadership.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon separately urged Duterte to remain available to investigative bodies probing alleged anomalous flood control projects in his district.
Duterte’s office earlier confirmed that he requested travel clearance from December 15, 2025 to February 20, 2026 for trips to several countries in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United States.
Ultimately, the purpose of the extended overseas travel remains unclear as questions continue to mount over his absence amid ongoing investigations.
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