Teodoro decries passport 'smear campaign'

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. denounced a "smear campaign" following a news report alleging he holds a second passport, despite records showing he had renounced his Maltese citizenship in 2021.

Teodoro stated he was warned last week that his now-renounced Maltese passport would surface as a controversy.

He expressed frustration that his side was not sought before the publication of the report.

The Department of National Defense confirmed Teodoro surrendered and renounced the Maltese passport prior to his 2021 senatorial bid.

Teodoro suggested the story was deliberately planted in a publication known to criticize policies against China, anticipating amplification by pro-China groups.