Gilbert Teodoro
Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo Cojuangco Teodoro Jr. PLH (born June 14, 1964), nicknamed Gilbert or Gibo (Tagalog: [ɡɪˈboʔ]), is a Filipino lawyer, politician and business executive who is the incumbent Secretary of National Defense under the Marcos Jr. administration since 2023. He previously served in the same post from 2007 to 2009 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was the nominee of Arroyo's Lakas–Kampi in the 2010 presidential election, which he lost to his second cousin, Noynoy Aquino.
The Honourable Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. PLH | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2023 | |
| 25th Secretary of National Defense | |
| Assumed office June 5, 2023 | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Usec. Carlito Galvez Jr. (OIC) |
| In office August 3, 2007 – November 15, 2009 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Norberto Gonzales |
| Succeeded by | Norberto Gonzales |
| Member of the House of Representatives from Tarlac's 1st district | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Peping Cojuangco |
| Succeeded by | Monica Prieto-Teodoro |
| Member of the Tarlac Provincial Board from the Kabataang Barangay | |
| In office 1980–1986 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo Cojuangco Teodoro Jr. June 14, 1964 Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | PRP (2021–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Lakas–CMD (2009–2021) NPC (1998–2009) Independent (1986–1998) KBL (1978–1986) |
| Spouse |
Monica Prieto (m. 1992) |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Carabaoan, Mayantoc, Tarlac, Philippines |
| Alma mater | De La Salle University (BS) University of the Philippines Diliman (LL.B) Harvard University (LL.M) West Negros University (LL.D) |
| Occupation |
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| Profession | Lawyer |
| Known for |
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| Website | www |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Philippines |
| Branch/service | Philippine Air Force Reserve Command |
| Rank | Colonel |
Teodoro studied commerce at De La Salle University, and law at the University of the Philippines, where he graduated top of his class and went on to top the 1989 Bar exams. He then earned his Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School. He practiced law until he was elected as Representative of Tarlac's 1st district, serving from 1998 to 2007.
Teodoro has been described as a technocrat. During his time as defense secretary, he was known for his efforts as the chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) when Mega Manila was hit by Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy).