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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lawyer, 3 others seek probe into Gibo's citizenship

Lawyer, 3 others seek probe into Gibo's citizenship

Teodoro earlier branded the allegation as fake news, smear campaign

Published Jun 18, 2026 06:46 pm
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
A lawyer and three other individuals asked the Pasay City Prosecutors Office  to look into the issues surrounding the citizenship of Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro.
In the complaint-affidavit filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City, the four complainants led by lawyer Russel Miraflor said the issue of citizenship is important as it would determine whether or not Teodoro is qualified to serve as secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).
The allegation of having dual citizenship has long been denied by Teodoro who branded the allegation as not only fake news, but also a smear campaign.
Aside from Miraflor, the three other complainants were Antonio Balondo Jr., Ernie Arimala and Jerry Honrado.
They said the case they filed is not intended to harass, vex, or embarrass Teodoro.
“They are lawyers and taxpayers who have a legitimate legal and public interest in ensuring that official documents submitted to the Government, particularly passport applications, contain truthful and complete declarations,” the complaint read.
The complainants were referring to the Maltese passport issued to Teodoro in 2016. The copies of the alleged Maltese and Philippine passports were presented to the court.
The Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City was asked to “produce certified true copies of the relevant passport application records, passport issuance records, travel records, citizenship retention or reacquisition records, and other official documents, so that the existence or non-existence of probable cause may be determined on the basis of authentic records.”
According to the complainants, the issue takes on heightened public significance because the position involved is not an ordinary government post.
Last year, the Department of National Defense also issued a statement clarifying the matter.
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.
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 the confirmation of his appointment as the defense secretary.

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