Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro Eyes 2028 Presidential Bid
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro expressed openness to running for president in 2028 while pushing for military modernization and caution regarding Chinese investments.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro announced he is open to running for president in 2028. The potential candidacy comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Teodoro would likely compete against Vice President Sara Duterte, the current leading candidate who is facing a Senate impeachment trial.
A vocal critic of China's military expansion in the South China Sea, Teodoro has already faced sanctions from Beijing. He warned that future leadership must exercise due diligence regarding Chinese investments in critical infrastructure to prevent illegal activities, stating that the country was previously populated by such activities under the guise of investments.
To strengthen national security, Teodoro recently met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Cebu. The two officials agreed to fast-track the modernization of the Philippine military as part of an ongoing effort to bolster the defense alliance between the Philippines and the United States.
