logo
DND says Teodoro's Maltese passport renounced in 2021 amid 'dual citizenship' issue

DND says Teodoro's Maltese passport renounced in 2021 amid 'dual citizenship' issue

GMA Network14-07-2025
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday clarified that the reported Maltese passport of Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has been renounced as early as 2021.
DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong made the statement following a media report questioning Teodoro's alleged dual citizenship, which is prohibited for Cabinet members.
'The alleged existing Maltese passport of Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. was surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 elections,' Andolong said.
'Its existence was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration and Comelec prior to the 2022 elections, as well as to the Committee on Appointments prior to their confirmation of his appointment as Defense Secretary,' he added.
Andolong expressed suspicion on the motive of the news article.
'The motive of this rumor is clear and known to Sec. Teodoro. The timing of the article adds to this motive,' he said. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Defense chief Teodoro: Eyed ammunition production to increase PH trade flows
Defense chief Teodoro: Eyed ammunition production to increase PH trade flows

GMA Network

time5 days ago

  • GMA Network

Defense chief Teodoro: Eyed ammunition production to increase PH trade flows

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday that the planned production of ammunition in the Philippines would elevate the country's trade flows. Earlier, it was reported that US lawmakers were exploring the possibility of establishing a joint ammunition manufacturing facility in Subic Bay. At a Kapihan with the Media in Washington D.C., Teodoro said the matter would be a ''foreign direct investment concept." He said this would bring jobs to the country, especially for highly technical individuals. ''We can envision a private entity going about it on a commercial basis, so that they can hire people on a commercial basis. Depending on the scale, initially about 200 to 300 people, highly technical people,'' Teodoro said. ''But then, there are downstream industries. Of course, they will have to build access to port facilities. It will regenerate revenue on a commercial basis for Subic,'' he added. He stressed that this would ''increase our trade flows.'' ''So, that is an example of US government-sponsored foreign direct investment to help our people and our self-reliance, too,'' Teodoro said. Further, the Philippine defense chief also stressed that this would cater to commonality of production of munitions, ''which is at a worldwide shortage at this time, of all calibers, whether direct fire or indirect fire.'' Still, the Philippines will review the proposal, Teodoro guaranteed. In its report dated June 16, the US House Committee on Appropriations directed the US Department of Defense to assess the feasibility of establishing a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in the said area. The facility will enable the forward staging of ammunition stockpiles and related materials such as nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and acid. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

Teodoro: Dual citizenship report part of smear campaign
Teodoro: Dual citizenship report part of smear campaign

GMA Network

time15-07-2025

  • GMA Network

Teodoro: Dual citizenship report part of smear campaign

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday called a smear campaign the article questioning his alleged dual citizenship. 'Ito'y hindi lang fake news kundi smear campaign. Kasi hindi hiningi yung side ko na puwede ko namang ipaliwanag. Basta na lang nilabas. At alam nila na pupulutin ito,' Teodoro said in a radio interview. (This is not just fake news but a smear campaign .tTey didn't ask for my side, which I could have explained. They just put it out there. And they know it will be picked up.) To protect his source, Teodoro opted not to disclose what or who is behind the 'smear campaign' against him. 'Ngayon na iniisip-isip ko siguradong napakalalim ng pagkagawa kasi itinanim sa isang pahayagan na kilala na bumabatikos sa ating mga patakaran laban sa Tsina. Tapos sigurado ituturo ito doon,' he said. (Now that I think about it, it must have been done very deeply because it was planted in a newspaper that is known for criticizing of our policies against China. And most certainly, it will definitely point to such an issue.) 'Kung gusto kayo ng tao, kayo naman ang mangingibabaw. Hindi na kailangan siguro sirain 'yung iba,' he added. (If people like you, you will prevail. There's probably no need to destroy [the reputation of] others.) On Monday, the Department of National Defense (DND) clarified the reported Maltese passport of Teodoro had been renounced as early as 2021. DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong made the statement following a media report questioning Teodoro's alleged dual citizenship, which is prohibited for Cabinet members. 'The alleged existing Maltese passport of Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. was surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 elections,' Andolong said. 'Its existence was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration and Comelec prior to the 2022 elections, as well as to the Committee on Appointments prior to their confirmation of his appointment as Defense Secretary,' he added. — RF, GMA Integrated News

Gibo Teodoro still enjoys Marcos' trust, confidence — Palace
Gibo Teodoro still enjoys Marcos' trust, confidence — Palace

GMA Network

time15-07-2025

  • GMA Network

Gibo Teodoro still enjoys Marcos' trust, confidence — Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is still confident with the performance of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Malacañang said on Tuesday. This came after it was reported that the Defense chief has a Maltese passport, a matter that was already clarified by the Department of National Defense (DND). ''The President gives the confidence to Secretary Gibo. Secretary Gibo still enjoys the trust and confidence of the President,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing. DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the passport was already renounced following a media report questioning Teodoro's alleged dual citizenship, which is prohibited for Cabinet members. 'The alleged existing Maltese passport of Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. was surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 elections,' Andolong said in a separate statement. Andolong also said the existence of the passport was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) prior to the 2022 elections, as well as to the Committee on Appointments prior to their confirmation of his appointment as Defense Secretary. — BAP, GMA Integrated News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store