Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro, 57, is a lawyer, corporate executive and politician, who has served as both a defense secretary and lawmaker.
He was elected to three terms as representative of the 1st District of Tarlac from 1998 to 2007 which saw him author at least six laws and serve as assistant majority leader for three years. His wife, Monica Prieto-Teodoro, launched a successful bid to replace him for a sole term in 2007.
He was a stalwart ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the lower house, voting to dismiss impeachment complaints against her and going on to work for her as defense secretary from 2007 to 2009.
Teodoro also served as concurrent head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, heading relief operations after Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) and Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) hit in 2009. He drew public frustration and criticism for the insufficient rescue and relief efforts deployed to respond to the calamities and the resulting delay in reaching affected citizens. Teodoro initially pointed to lack of funds and coordination with local government units but later admitted the NDCC’s shortcomings in responding to disasters and proposed the creation of a separate disaster agency.
In 2010, Teodoro launched a bid for the presidency, vying against his second cousin and eventual victor Benigno Aquino III. Teodoro gained 4,095,839 votes, placing 4th out of 10 candidates.
He rejected two offers to be defense secretary under President Rodrigo Duterte and remained in the private sector until announcing his candidacy for 2022 under the People’s Reform Party. He earlier offered to be the vice presidential running mate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who ultimately decided to seek the vice presidency alongside Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator. Teodoro is included in the tandem’s senatorial slate.
He is campaigning on expediting vaccination, making quality education accessible to all, maintaining peace and order, food security and sustainability, digital connectivity, upgrading the security forces and fostering public-private synergy. He also supports renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise and shifting to a federal system of government.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
- Expedite vaccine administration to reopen the economy and allow workers to safely return to jobs
- Government should provide more efficient modes of transporting vaccines
- Educate the public on the safety of getting vaccinated
- Give more funds and resources to local government units for vaccination efforts
- The PNP should not be under the Civil Service Law, since they are armed government officials
- Reform of PNP structures to lessen the chances of police abusing their power and to ensure that police strictly use their weapons against criminality alone
- Improve not only the hardware but also their digital capabilities
- Enhance the budgets of the military and police, to strengthen their capabilities
- Enact a uniform code of military justice
As defense secretary, established the Defense System of Management under the Philippine Defense Reform continuing the work of his predecessor, Avelino J.Cruz
- Government to provide resources to build up the country’s digital infrastructure
- Training people to become innovators, rather than mere processors
- Investing in research and development, particularly in emerging and disruptive technologies
- Review materials currently being taught at schools
- Continuous training for teachers under changing circumstances
- Improve connections between K-12 and tertiary programs
- Higher education should be free or affordable
- Give honor and dignity to skilled and manual labor
- Literacy to be introduced as early as children can attend daycare
When asked about his plans for the education sector during his 2010 presidential campaign, he said that there is a need to reform the system, as graduates are not at par with other countries
Proposed a student loan program so that more children will be able to go to school
- Need to ease government reactions to issues; private companies can respond quicker and more efficiently since they can restructure based on the current situation
- Increased funding for projects
Has experience from both sectors, having served as a three terms in the House of Representatives, as defense secretary, NDCC head and business executive
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Public Office
In his capacity as a three-term lawmaker in the lower house, Teodoro principally authored at least 100 bills, six of which were enacted into law. Two of these laws granted franchises to the Provincial Airways Corporation and Radio Maria Foundation. The rest focused on local infrastructure, converting roads connecting municipalities together in his home province of Tarlac into national roads.
In late October 2003, Teodoro filed an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Davide for betrayal of public trust and draft in the disposition of the JDF, which was endorsed by more than a third of the lower chamber. Said complaint was ruled unconstitutional by the SC and barred by an earlier impeachment complaint filed by President Estrada against Davide and seven associate justices for allegedly conspiring to oust Estrada and participating in EDSA II protests against him. That June 23 complaint was dismissed by the lower house earlier in October 2003 for insufficiency of substance.
In contrast, Teodoro voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints against President Arroyo.
As the secretary of national defense, he implemented defense reform programs, the AFP modernization, and supported the adjustment of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Procurement Reform Act of the Philippines.
Teodoro was concurrent head of the NDCC when Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng hit the country in 2009. He received criticism for the slow roll-out of the rescue and relief operations.
As Secretary of National Defense
Secretary of National Defense, 2007-2009
The next phase of the DSOM as indicated in the PDR was carried out during Voltaire Gazmin’s term. However, the PDR was terminated in 2016. Nevertheless, the DSOM remains a key part of the DND’s National Defense Strategy as a means to improve and streamline processes
Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, 2007-2009
Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Management Act of 2010 was enacted, which replaced the NDCC with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and created the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework and Plan
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● Philippine Air Force Multi-Sector Governance Council
● Philippine National Police Foundation, Inc.
Chairperson
Current
Private Sector
Teodoro was an associate at the Estelito Mendoza Law Office, under former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza, from 1987 to 1997.
After his failed presidential bid in 2010, he returned to the private sector and joined the board of directors of a number of companies.
Teodoro is also a licensed commercial pilot.
- ● BDO Unibank, Inc. (2014-2021 )
● Philippine Geothermal Production Company Inc.
● Alphaland Corporation
- ● Indophil Resources Incorporated
● Sagittarius Mines Incorporated
2015-present
Philippine National Police Foundation Inc.
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petition for Review on Certiorari Petitioner Talon Security Consulting and Trade Ltd questioned then-defense secretary Teodoro’s declaration of failure of bid and order for rebidding for the procurement of mortar ammunitions The contract was previously awarded to petitioner, who was later found to have submitted false documents |
DND issued a failure of bidding and directed a rebidding on Mar. 31, 2009 Petition for Certiorari filed by Talon before the Regional Trial Court on May 13, 2009 May 29, 2009 - a TRO was issued in favor of Talon On Aug. 27, 2010, the Court of Appeals held that there was no fault in Secretary Teodoro’s issuances and a lack of capacity to sue by the petitioner, an unlicensed foreign corporation doing business in the Philippines |
The petition was denied by the Supreme Court on Aug 18, 2014 |
Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Alliances and Endorsements: Included in the senatorial slate of the UniTeam alliance of Ferdinand Marcos Jr-Sara Duterte tandem
Party History:
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
- Appropriating more funds to LGUs, especially at the barangay level
- Creating hubs for innovation and development
As senatorial candidate, 2021-present
- Support farmers and fisherfolks by using them as sources for feeding the public, especially the needy
- Provide nutritious and affordable food, not dole-outs of more often than not unhealthy canned and processed food
As senatorial candidate, 2021-present
As senatorial candidate, 2021-present
- Proposes that the Philippines engage in multilateral exercises with various countries to build up trust, confidence, and interoperability with them
- Strike a balance between upgrading the military’s capabilities and diplomatic efforts to assert our position in the West Philippine Sea
- Foster stronger relations between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the DND
- In favor of proposed joint oil exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea
As senatorial candidate, 2021-present
- Proposed the creation of a separate government agency to address disasters after he faced criticism for how the response to Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng was handled.
- Emphasized the need to improve LGUs’ capacity to respond to disasters and improve national infrastructure
Head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, 2007-2009
Status
R. A. No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Management Act of 2010, was enacted, which replaced the NDCC with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and created the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework and Plan
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
- Gilberto Teodoro Sr. (deceased), Social Security System administrator
Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro, lawyer and former Batasang Pambansa member, delegate to the Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1971 and deputy minister of the budget
• Admitted to the Bar, State of New York, 1997
• Admitted to the Bar, Republic of the Philippines, 1989
• Masters of Law, Harvard University Law School, 1989
• Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines Diliman, graduated in 1989
• B.S. Commerce, Major in Financial Institutions, De La Salle University - Manila, 1984
• Independent Director,Philippine Geothermal Production Company, current present
• Independent Director, Alphaland Corporation, current
• Chairperson, Philippine Air Force Multi-Sector Governance Council, current
• Chairman, Philippine National Police Foundation, Incorporated, 2008
• Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sagittarius Mines Incorporated, 2015-present
• Chairman of the Board of Directors, Indophil Resources Incorporated, Chairman of the Board, 2015-Present
• Independent Director, BDO Unibank, Inc., 2014-2021
• Secretary, Department of National Defense and concurrent head of the NDCC, 2007-2009
• Assistant Majority Leader, House of Representatives, 1998-2001
• Representative, 1st District of Tarlac, House of Representatives, 1998-2007
• Chairman and CEO, Suricon Resources Corp (now Gotesco Land Inc.), 1995
• Founder, Everett Golf and Country Club, 1993
• Associate, Estelito Mendoza Law Office, 1989-1997
