Palace: Teodoro's dual citizenship known, has full trust

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. continues to enjoy full trust and confidence from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., despite recent rumors suggesting he is a dual citizen with a Maltese passport.

Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed during a Palace briefing that the President remains confident in Teodoro, noting that Marcos was fully aware of his past dual citizenship status.

Castro added that both the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Commission on Appointments were aware of Teodoro's renunciation of Maltese citizenship before he re-entered public service in 2021.

Teodoro previously served as defense secretary from 007 to 2009 under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and was reappointed by President Marcos in June 2023.

Dual citizenship does not disqualify individuals from holding public office if they have renounced their foreign citizenship, as Teodoro did before his latest appointment.