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Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star
July 15, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The foreign passport of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had already been surrendered and renounced years ago, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.
DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the reported Maltese passport of Teodoro was surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 elections, where he ran for senator under the now defunct UniTeam.
“Its existence was disclosed to the Bureau of Immigration and Comelec prior to the 2022 elections, as well as to the Commission on Appointments prior to their confirmation of his appointment as Defense secretary,” Andolong said in a statement.
Andolong questioned the motive in releasing an article on the foreign passport of Teodoro, one of the most vocal critics of China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
“The motive of this rumor is clear and known to Sec. Teodoro. The timing of the article adds to this motive,” he added.
A report said Teodoro acquired a Maltese passport through a “golden passport program.”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the alleged ownership of Maltese passport is not within the purview of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“On golden passport, I think the view is that we have not really given any position on this. We have to discuss this but you see we allow dual citizenship so I see no problem with that offhand,” Lazaro said at a press briefing.
