Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday expressed his confidence in Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s allegiance to the country, after claims about his purported dual citizenship issue resurfaced this week.
“The issue was answered by our Secretary of National Defense. He (Teodoro) said that he renounced his (Maltese) passport in 2021. So, we will just let that issue be,” Brawner told reporters.
“What’s important is that his allegiance and patriotism to our country is very strong. So, let’s not worry about those issues,” the AFP chief added.
A news report earlier claimed Teodoro possessed a Maltese passport issued on December 22, 2016, which remains valid for 10 years.
The Defense Department issued a clarification on Monday that he had already surrendered his alleged Maltese passport before filing his candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 senatorial elections.
“The alleged existing Maltese passport of Secretary Gilberto Teodoro was surrendered and renounced prior to the filing of his certificate of candidacy in 2021,” Defense spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.
Under Philippine law and constitutional provisions, dual citizenship is prohibited for public officials, particularly those holding Cabinet-level positions.
Brawner also said that he saw himself how loyal Teodoro is to the Philippine Constitution, to the flag and to the country.
