Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. continues to enjoy the full trust of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang said Tuesday, following reports that he once held a Maltese passport.
The Department of National Defense confirmed Teodoro acquired the passport in 2016 but surrendered it in 2021 before filing his candidacy for public office.
Teodoro denied holding dual citizenship and said he renounced the foreign passport in compliance with Philippine laws, describing the issue as part of a smear campaign.
Palace officials said the President, the Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Appointments had long been aware of Teodoro’s situation.
The passport may have been obtained through Malta’s controversial “golden passport” program, which has been ruled illegal by the European Union.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 16, 2025
