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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Patunayan niyo!' DND says burden of proof lies with accusers in citizenship complaint vs Teodoro

'Patunayan niyo!' DND says burden of proof lies with accusers in citizenship complaint vs Teodoro

Published Jun 19, 2026 01:01 pm

At A Glance

  • The Department of National Defense (DND) stated that the complainants questioning Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s citizenship must present verified evidence, emphasizing that the state cannot be tasked with proving unsubstantiated claims.
  • A complaint filed before the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office by lawyer Russel Miraflor and three others seeks an investigation into Teodoro's qualifications, citing an alleged Maltese passport issued to him in 2016.
  • Teodoro previously clarified that he legally acquired Maltese citizenship as a private citizen in 2016 but formally renounced it in 2021 before running in the 2022 elections—a process he disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration, Comelec, and the Commission on Appointments.
FILE - Philippine's Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro talks to the media as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's annual defense and security forum, in Singapore on May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File)
FILE - Philippine's Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro talks to the media as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's annual defense and security forum, in Singapore on May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File)
The Department of National Defense (DND) said those behind a complaint filed against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. over his citizenship must present evidence to support their allegations, stressing that the government cannot be tasked to prove claims that remain unsubstantiated.
In a statement Thursday, June 18, DND Assistant Secretary Erik Dy questioned the basis of the complaint and said the accusations were unsupported by verified evidence.
“The complaint filed against the Secretary of National Defense appears to be built on unverified allegations, and attempts to shift the burden of proof to the State by requesting the Office of the Pasay City Prosecutor and other government agencies to establish the very facts the complainants themselves failed to prove,” Dy said.
“That is not how the justice system works,” he added.
The DND released the statement after a lawyer and three other individuals filed a complaint-affidavit before the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office seeking an investigation into the citizenship of Teodoro, arguing that the issue is relevant to his qualification to hold the country's top defense post.
The complainants, led by lawyer Russel Miraflor, cited an alleged Maltese passport issued to Teodoro in 2016 and asked prosecutors to obtain official records, including passport applications, travel records, and citizenship documents, to determine whether probable cause exists.
They said their complaint aims to ensure that declarations made in government documents are truthful and complete.
Rather than addressing the substance of the accusations, the DND said it focused on the fundamental legal requirement in criminal proceedings: the obligation of complainants to establish their claims through evidence.
“The burden of proof rests on those who make the accusation,” Dy said, maintaining that the allegations against Teodoro remain unsupported.
“Until credible and verified evidence is presented, these claims remain nothing but unproven accusations,” he added.
In July 2025, Teodoro already addressed the rumor as he denied allegations that he violated the Philippine Constitution for supposedly holding dual citizenship while serving in the government.
He said he legally acquired Maltese citizenship in 2016 through Malta's investment-based citizenship program while he was a private citizen. He maintained his Philippine passport throughout that period and used it for travel.
According to Teodoro, he formally renounced his Maltese citizenship in 2021 before filing his certificate of candidacy for the 2022 elections, with the renunciation taking effect in March 2022.
He stressed that the renunciation was recognized by both the Philippine and Maltese governments, making him qualified to run for public office.
According to the defense department, Teodoro also disclosed the existence of his Maltese passport to the Bureau of Immigration and the Commission on Elections before the 2022 polls. Teodoro also supposedly informed the Commission on Appointments about the matter before his confirmation as defense secretary in 2023.

Related Tags

DND Gilberto Teodoro Jr. citizenship Maltese passport
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