Latest news with #GilbertoTeodoroJr.
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Politics
- 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
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Philippine defence chief renounced Maltese citizenship before his appointment, department says
MANILA, Philippines (AP): Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had renounced his Maltese citizenship and disclosed it to Filipino authorities before taking office, the Defense Department said Monday. Philippine law generally disqualifies candidates for high public office who have dual citizenship, especially those with foreign citizenship acquired through naturalization, unless they renounce their foreign citizenship. Teodoro, who was appointed defense chief by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, is one of the most vocal critics of China's aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea and elsewhere in Asia. He has led efforts by the Philippines to deepen its treaty alliance with the United States and build new security ties with other countries to deter China. The Manila Times reported Teodoro had acquired a Maltese passport in 2016 with a validity of 10 years. The Defense Department said, however, Teodoro's Maltese passport "was surrendered and renounced' before he filed his certificate of candidacy for a Senate seat in 2021. Teodoro lost that senatorial bid. A Philippine congressional committee on appointments was also notified that Teodoro had renounced his Maltese passport and citizenship before it confirmed his appointment as defense secretary, the defense department said and suggested that critics were trying to undermine his image. "The motive of this rumor is clear and known to Sec. Teodoro,' the defense department said without elaborating. "The timing of the article adds to this motive.' The Department of National Defense did not provide details of Teodoro's acquisition of his passport from Malta, which belongs to the 27-nation European Union. Malta, through its so-called golden passport scheme, has allowed foreigners to become citizens through financial investment. In April, the European Court of Justice ordered Malta to close its "golden passport' program, ruling that citizenship in EU countries cannot be sold. Programs that allow wealthy people to buy citizenship were once widespread in Europe, but they've been rolled back out of concern that they facilitate transnational crime and sanctions evasion. - AP
Hamilton Spectator
14-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Philippine defense chief renounced Maltese citizenship before his appointment, department says
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had renounced his Maltese citizenship and disclosed it to Filipino authorities before taking office, the Defense Department said Monday. Philippine law generally disqualifies candidates for high public office who have dual citizenship, especially those with foreign citizenship acquired through naturalization, unless they renounce their foreign citizenship. Teodoro, who was appointed defense chief by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, is one of the most vocal critics of China's aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea and elsewhere in Asia. He has led efforts by the Philippines to deepen its treaty alliance with the United States and build new security ties with other countries to deter China. The Manila Times reported Teodoro had acquired a Maltese passport in 2016 with a validity of 10 years. The Defense Department said, however, Teodoro's Maltese passport 'was surrendered and renounced' before he filed his certificate of candidacy for a Senate seat in 2021. Teodoro lost that senatorial bid. A Philippine congressional committee on appointments was also notified that Teodoro had renounced his Maltese passport and citizenship before it confirmed his appointment as defense secretary, the defense department said and suggested that critics were trying to undermine his image. 'The motive of this rumor is clear and known to Sec. Teodoro,' the defense department said without elaborating. 'The timing of the article adds to this motive.' The Department of National Defense did not provide details of Teodoro's acquisition of his passport from Malta, which belongs to the 27-nation European Union. Malta, through its so-called golden passport scheme , has allowed foreigners to become citizens through financial investment. In April, the European Court of Justice ordered Malta to close its 'golden passport' program, ruling that citizenship in EU countries cannot be sold. Programs that allow wealthy people to buy citizenship were once widespread in Europe, but they've been rolled back out of concern they facilitate transnational crime and sanctions evasion. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
14-07-2025
- Business
Philippine defense chief renounced Maltese citizenship before appointment, dept says
MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had renounced his Maltese citizenship and disclosed it to Filipino authorities before taking office, the Defense Department said Monday. Philippine law generally disqualifies candidates for high public office who have dual citizenship, especially those with foreign citizenship acquired through naturalization, unless they renounce their foreign citizenship. Teodoro, who was appointed defense chief by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, is one of the most vocal critics of China's aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea and elsewhere in Asia. He has led efforts by the Philippines to deepen its treaty alliance with the United States and build new security ties with other countries to deter China. The Manila Times reported Teodoro had acquired a Maltese passport in 2016 with a validity of 10 years. The Defense Department said, however, Teodoro's Maltese passport 'was surrendered and renounced' before he filed his certificate of candidacy for a Senate seat in 2021. Teodoro lost that senatorial bid. A Philippine congressional committee on appointments was also notified that Teodoro had renounced his Maltese passport and citizenship before it confirmed his appointment as defense secretary, the defense department said and suggested that critics were trying to undermine his image. 'The motive of this rumor is clear and known to Sec. Teodoro,' the defense department said without elaborating. 'The timing of the article adds to this motive.' The Department of National Defense did not provide details of Teodoro's acquisition of his passport from Malta, which belongs to the 27-nation European Union. Malta, through its so-called golden passport scheme, has allowed foreigners to become citizens through financial investment. In April, the European Court of Justice ordered Malta to close its 'golden passport' program, ruling that citizenship in EU countries cannot be sold. Programs that allow wealthy people to buy citizenship were once widespread in Europe, but they've been rolled back out of concern they facilitate transnational crime and sanctions evasion.
Toronto Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Philippine defense chief renounced Maltese citizenship before his appointment, department says
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had renounced his Maltese citizenship and disclosed it to Filipino authorities before taking office, the Defense Department said Monday. Philippine law generally disqualifies candidates for high public office who have dual citizenship, especially those with foreign citizenship acquired through naturalization, unless they renounce their foreign citizenship.
