Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro is a lawyer, corporate executive and politician, who has served as both a defense secretary and lawmaker.
He was elected to three terms as representative of the 1st District of Tarlac from 1998 to 2007 which saw him author at least six laws and serve as assistant majority leader for three years. His wife, Monica Prieto-Teodoro, launched a successful bid to replace him for a sole term in 2007.
He was a stalwart ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the lower house, voting to dismiss impeachment complaints against her and going on to work for her as defense secretary from 2007 to 2009.
Teodoro also served as concurrent head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, heading relief operations after Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) and Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) hit in 2009. He drew public frustration and criticism for the insufficient rescue and relief efforts deployed to respond to the calamities and the resulting delay in reaching affected citizens. Teodoro initially pointed to lack of funds and coordination with local government units but later admitted the NDCC’s shortcomings in responding to disasters and proposed the creation of a separate disaster agency.
In 2010, Teodoro launched a bid for the presidency, vying against his second cousin and eventual victor Benigno Aquino III. Teodoro gained 4,095,839 votes, placing 4th out of 10 candidates.
He rejected two offers to be defense secretary under President Rodrigo Duterte and remained in the private sector until announcing his candidacy for 2022 under the People’s Reform Party. He earlier offered to be the vice presidential running mate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who ultimately decided to seek the vice presidency alongside Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator. Teodoro is included in the tandem’s senatorial slate.
He is campaigning on expediting vaccination, making quality education accessible to all, maintaining peace and order, food security and sustainability, digital connectivity, upgrading the security forces and fostering public-private synergy. He also supports renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise and shifting to a federal system of government.
“Perhaps this is the best time that somebody who’s had both the government and private sector experience could be helpful to the country.”
GILBERT EDUARDO GERARDO “GIBO” COJUANGCO TEODORO JR.
Full Name: Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo Cojuangco Teodoro Jr.
Nickname: Gibo
Birthdate: June 14, 1964 (Age 60)
Birthplace: Tarlac
Residence: Makati City
Languages Spoken: Filipino, English
Parents:
– Gilberto Teodoro Sr. (deceased), Social Security System administrator
– Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro, lawyer and former Batasang Pambansa member, delegate to the Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1971 and deputy minister of the budget
Siblings:
Spouse: Monica Prieto-Teodoro , representative of the 1st District of Tarlac (2007-2010) and Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (2018-2019)
Children: Jaime Gilberto Teodoro
EDUCATION
- Admitted to the Bar, State of New York, 1997
- Admitted to the Bar, Republic of the Philippines, 1989
- Masters of Law, Harvard University Law School, 1989
- Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines Diliman, graduated in 1989
- B.S. Commerce, Major in Financial Institutions, De La Salle University – Manila, 1984
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Independent Director, Philippine Geothermal Production Company, current present
- Independent Director, Alphaland Corporation, current
- Chairperson, Philippine Air Force Multi-Sector Governance Council, current
- Chairman, Philippine National Police Foundation, Incorporated, 2008
- Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sagittarius Mines Incorporated, 2015-present
- Chairman of the Board of Directors, Indophil Resources Incorporated, Chairman of the Board, 2015-Present
- Independent Director, BDO Unibank, Inc., 2014-2021
- Secretary, Department of National Defense and concurrent head of the NDCC, 2007-2009
- Assistant Majority Leader, House of Representatives, 1998-2001
- Representative, 1st District of Tarlac, House of Representatives, 1998-2007
- Chairman and CEO, Suricon Resources Corp (now Gotesco Land Inc.), 1995
- Founder, Everett Golf and Country Club, 1993
- Associate, Estelito Mendoza Law Office, 1989-1997
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Public Office
In his capacity as a three-term lawmaker in the lower house, Teodoro principally authored at least 100 bills, six of which were enacted into law. Two of these laws granted franchises to the Provincial Airways Corporation and Radio Maria Foundation. The rest focused on local infrastructure, converting roads connecting municipalities together in his home province of Tarlac into national roads.
In late October 2003, Teodoro filed an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Davide for betrayal of public trust and draft in the disposition of the JDF, which was endorsed by more than a third of the lower chamber. Said complaint was ruled unconstitutional by the SC and barred by an earlier impeachment complaint filed by President Estrada against Davide and seven associate justices for allegedly conspiring to oust Estrada and participating in EDSA II protests against him. That June 23 complaint was dismissed by the lower house earlier in October 2003 for insufficiency of substance.
In contrast, Teodoro voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints against President Arroyo.
As the secretary of national defense, he implemented defense reform programs, the AFP modernization, and supported the adjustment of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Procurement Reform Act of the Philippines.
Teodoro was concurrent head of the NDCC when Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng hit the country in 2009. He received criticism for the slow roll-out of the rescue and relief operations.
Private Sector
Teodoro was an associate at the Estelito Mendoza Law Office, under former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza, from 1987 to 1997.
After his failed presidential bid in 2010, he returned to the private sector and joined the board of directors of a number of companies.
Teodoro is also a licensed commercial pilot.
