Former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has confirmed he will end his 10-year political hiatus to participate in the 2022 elections either as a candidate for “vice president or whatever position.”
In a video message posted in his Facebook account, Teodoro declared he will be coming out from semi-retirement from politics and that he is offering an alternative for change.
“Lalabas ako, kailangan dahil sa tingin ko kailangan ng alternatibo ang ating mga kababayan after the pandemic. Kasi nagbago ang mundo, kailangan magbago rin ang bansa. (I will come out, I believe there is a need for an alternative for our countrymen after the pandemic. Because the world has changed, we must also change as a nation),” he said.
The former top opposition leader in the Lower House and defense secretary under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, went on an unexplained political retreat after losing the presidential race to his cousin, the late President Benigno Aquino III, in 2010.
A topnotcher in the 1989 bar, Teodoro reportedly concentrated in the family business during his absence. Before disappearing in public view, Teodoro made an impression of being the most qualified 2010 presidential candidate that the country needed.
He used to head the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the Lakas-CMD parties.
Teodoro surfaced recently when he was accompanied by former Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to visit Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, offering his help in promoting the vaccination program of her local government.
In his social media post, Teodoro said he will be running for a public office under the campaign battlecry: Ang Bagong Pilipinas para sa Bagong Henerasyon (The New Philippines for the new Generation).
“And i wanted to do this as a public servant as a vice president so i can be free to advocate this, or whatever position i can best advocatee the change that we need to create a new Philippines,” he stated.
“Ako ay nagbabalak na tumakbo sa darating na 2022 para muling makapag-silbi at makatulong para maka-ahon tayo mula sa pandemya at tulungan ang PIlipinas na maging handa at matatag para sa mga susunod na henerasyon. (I am planning to run in 2022 to again serve and help us rise from the pandemic and help Philippines to be prepared and resilient for the next generation),” the former Tarlac lawmaker stated.
Teodoro admitted that he has only showed up to the public during the eleciton period.
“Kasi after the pandemic tingin ko kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ng alternatibo na tumitingin sa malayong kinabukasan na kinakailangan umpisahan ngayon sa ating bansa. (Its because after the pandemic I believe we our countrymen will need an alternative who has a vision for the future and this we have to launch now in this country),” the former Cabinet official said.