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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DND demolishes dual citizenship controversy hounding Gibo

DND demolishes dual citizenship controversy hounding Gibo

Published Jul 14, 2025 10:06 am
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Photo: DND)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Photo: DND)
The Department of National Defense (DND) clarified Monday, July 14, that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has renounced his Maltese passport following accusations that he has dual citizenship and is not qualified to hold public office.
In a statement, DND spokesperson Asst. Sec. Arsenio Andolong said the alleged existing Maltese passport of Teodoro was already surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 senatorial elections.
Teodoro lost in the 2022 polls, finishing 15th out of the 12 available senatorial seats.
Andolong said the existence of the Maltese passport was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) prior to the 2022 elections.
He added that it was also briefed by Teodoro to the Commission on Appointments (CA) before their confirmation of his appointment as the defense secretary.
Teodoro was appointed as defense secretary by President Marcos Jr. on June 5, 2023, and he has been serving in the same post since.
“The motive of this rumor is clear and known to Secretary Teodoro. The timing of the article adds to this motive,” Andolong noted. The defense official did not immediately clarify the possible motive of the allegation or why the timing of its release was significant.
The DND released the statement after a Manila Times article alleged that Teodoro holds a Maltese passport which supposedly makes him a dual citizen.
Under Philippine law and constitutional principles, individuals holding public office—especially those in Cabinet-level positions—are not allowed to possess dual citizenship.
The article claimed that Teodoro acquired Maltese citizenship through the European country’s “golden passport or citizenship-by-investment program.
According to the article, “Malta’s scheme requires a minimum contribution of €600,000 (roughly P39,642,000) to the Maltese government, the purchase or long-term lease of property, and a donation to charity,” and those granted citizenship “are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Malta.”
The article cited an unidentified diplomatic analyst who stated that Teodoro “may have exposed himself to perceptions of compromised loyalty, or worse, susceptibility to foreign influence.”

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