The Department of National Defense (DND) announced on Monday that Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. surrendered his Maltese passport prior to filing his candidacy for the 2022 elections.
“The alleged existing Maltese passport of Secretary Gilberto Teodoro (Jr.) was surrendered and renounced before the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 elections,” stated DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong.
This clarification follows reports claiming that Teodoro was issued a Maltese passport on December 22, 2016, valid for ten years. Andolong noted that the existence of the passport was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before the 2022 elections, as well as to the Committee on Appointments prior to Teodoro’s confirmation as defense secretary.
“The motive of this rumor is clear and known to Secretary Teodoro. The timing of the article adds to this motive,” Andolong added.
Under Philippine laws and the Constitution, dual citizenship is prohibited for public officials, particularly those in Cabinet-level positions. Teodoro was appointed as DND chief by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in June 2023, having previously held the same position from August 2007 to November 2009 under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.