MANILA — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said there is nothing unusual about government travel authorities being issued a day before an official’s departure, amid concerns raised by Vice President Sara Duterte over the timing of her approved trip.

In a report, Recto was asked to react after Duterte said her travel request was approved at the last minute, prompting her to say she would submit a new request to the Office of the President.

“Sa dami ng mga travel authority, nangyayari talaga ’yan na a day before nailalabas natin,” Recto said.

(As there are many travel authority, it usually happens that we issued it a day before the trip.)

Based on a document signed by Recto, Duterte was allowed to travel to The Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom from April 23 to May 15 while on leave of absence and at no cost to the government.

Duterte, however, said she would send a new request, stressing the need for earlier processing of travel documents.

“Please ensure that the necessary documents be processed and issued promptly, allowing sufficient time for travel preparations rather than only a few hours before the intended departure,” she said.

Malacañang has denied that the vice president’s travel request was approved at the last minute.