Teodoro: Dual citizenship report part of smear campaign
'Ito'y hindi lang fake news kundi smear campaign. Kasi hindi hiningi yung side ko na puwede ko namang ipaliwanag. Basta na lang nilabas. At alam nila na pupulutin ito,' Teodoro said in a radio interview.
(This is not just fake news but a smear campaign .tTey didn't ask for my side, which I could have explained. They just put it out there. And they know it will be picked up.)
To protect his source, Teodoro opted not to disclose what or who is behind the 'smear campaign' against him.
'Ngayon na iniisip-isip ko siguradong napakalalim ng pagkagawa kasi itinanim sa isang pahayagan na kilala na bumabatikos sa ating mga patakaran laban sa Tsina. Tapos sigurado ituturo ito doon,' he said.
(Now that I think about it, it must have been done very deeply because it was planted in a newspaper that is known for criticizing of our policies against China. And most certainly, it will definitely point to such an issue.)
'Kung gusto kayo ng tao, kayo naman ang mangingibabaw. Hindi na kailangan siguro sirain 'yung iba,' he added.
(If people like you, you will prevail. There's probably no need to destroy [the reputation of] others.)
On Monday, the Department of National Defense (DND) clarified the reported Maltese passport of Teodoro had been renounced as early as 2021.
DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong made the statement following a media report questioning Teodoro's alleged dual citizenship, which is prohibited for Cabinet members.
'The alleged existing Maltese passport of Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. was surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 elections,' Andolong said.
'Its existence was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration and Comelec prior to the 2022 elections, as well as to the Committee on Appointments prior to their confirmation of his appointment as Defense Secretary,' he added. — RF, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
Defense chief Teodoro: Eyed ammunition production to increase PH trade flows
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday that the planned production of ammunition in the Philippines would elevate the country's trade flows. Earlier, it was reported that US lawmakers were exploring the possibility of establishing a joint ammunition manufacturing facility in Subic Bay. At a Kapihan with the Media in Washington D.C., Teodoro said the matter would be a ''foreign direct investment concept." He said this would bring jobs to the country, especially for highly technical individuals. ''We can envision a private entity going about it on a commercial basis, so that they can hire people on a commercial basis. Depending on the scale, initially about 200 to 300 people, highly technical people,'' Teodoro said. ''But then, there are downstream industries. Of course, they will have to build access to port facilities. It will regenerate revenue on a commercial basis for Subic,'' he added. He stressed that this would ''increase our trade flows.'' ''So, that is an example of US government-sponsored foreign direct investment to help our people and our self-reliance, too,'' Teodoro said. Further, the Philippine defense chief also stressed that this would cater to commonality of production of munitions, ''which is at a worldwide shortage at this time, of all calibers, whether direct fire or indirect fire.'' Still, the Philippines will review the proposal, Teodoro guaranteed. In its report dated June 16, the US House Committee on Appropriations directed the US Department of Defense to assess the feasibility of establishing a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in the said area. The facility will enable the forward staging of ammunition stockpiles and related materials such as nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and acid. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-07-2025
- GMA Network
Bersamin, 2 Cabinet officials tapped as caretakers during Marcos' US trip
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and two other Cabinet secretaries will serve as the country's caretakers during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to Washington, D.C. Bersamin said the two officials are Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III. 'The order of the President is to continue the work while he is away. Anyway, we keep in constant communication with him during all the time that he is away from the country,' Bersamin told reporters. 'Wala naman kailangan na ilagay niyang specific because each of us, including the other cabinet secretaries, we are all aware of what the President has set for us to do, so we will just leave it like that and everybody continues to function 100%,' he added. (There's no need for the President to assign anything specific because each of us, including the other Cabinet secretaries, are already aware of what he expects from us. So we'll just leave it at that, and everyone will continue to function at 100%) Marcos on Sunday departed for the United States for an official visit, which includes a meeting with US President Donald Trump. Among the topics Marcos and Trump will discuss is the steep 20% tariff rate on Filipino goods entering the US, as Manila hopes to strike a mutually acceptable and beneficial tariff deal. Bersamin also said the President could include discussions during his Washington trip in his fourth State of the Nation Address. "We can expect that. If he wants to include that, if there is anything worth reporting, we can expect it," Bersamin said. The President's visit will be from July 20 to 22, 2025. Aside from Trump, Marcos will have a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 21. Several businesses in the US also expressed their intention to meet with the Philippine leader, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano said. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- GMA Network
Teodoro: Dual citizenship report part of smear campaign
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday called a smear campaign the article questioning his alleged dual citizenship. 'Ito'y hindi lang fake news kundi smear campaign. Kasi hindi hiningi yung side ko na puwede ko namang ipaliwanag. Basta na lang nilabas. At alam nila na pupulutin ito,' Teodoro said in a radio interview. (This is not just fake news but a smear campaign .tTey didn't ask for my side, which I could have explained. They just put it out there. And they know it will be picked up.) To protect his source, Teodoro opted not to disclose what or who is behind the 'smear campaign' against him. 'Ngayon na iniisip-isip ko siguradong napakalalim ng pagkagawa kasi itinanim sa isang pahayagan na kilala na bumabatikos sa ating mga patakaran laban sa Tsina. Tapos sigurado ituturo ito doon,' he said. (Now that I think about it, it must have been done very deeply because it was planted in a newspaper that is known for criticizing of our policies against China. And most certainly, it will definitely point to such an issue.) 'Kung gusto kayo ng tao, kayo naman ang mangingibabaw. Hindi na kailangan siguro sirain 'yung iba,' he added. (If people like you, you will prevail. There's probably no need to destroy [the reputation of] others.) On Monday, the Department of National Defense (DND) clarified the reported Maltese passport of Teodoro had been renounced as early as 2021. DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong made the statement following a media report questioning Teodoro's alleged dual citizenship, which is prohibited for Cabinet members. 'The alleged existing Maltese passport of Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. was surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 elections,' Andolong said. 'Its existence was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration and Comelec prior to the 2022 elections, as well as to the Committee on Appointments prior to their confirmation of his appointment as Defense Secretary,' he added. — RF, GMA Integrated News
