Profile of Former Secretary of the Department of National Defense Atty. Gilberto Eduardo C. Teodoro Jr.

He was Secretary of National Defense, a three-term Member of Congress, and a youth leader in his teens. He practiced law and became a corporate executive. He was a key figure in the Nationalist People’s Coalition and then became Chairman and Presidential Candidate of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD Coaliton Party in the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections. He is now an independent consultant to several public and private initiatives.

GILBERTO C. TEODORO, JR.

Gilberto Cojuangco Teodoro Jr. is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sagittarius Mines, Incorporated and Indophil Holdings. He is an Independent Director of BDO Unibank, Inc., Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc., Canlubang Sugar Estate, and Alphaland Corporation. He chairs the Philippine Air Force Multi Sector Governance Committee.

PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERIENCE

SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (2007-2009)

As Secretary of National Defense, he was responsible for introducing key initiatives in security sector reform. He enhanced and accelerated the implementation of the Defence System of Management (DSOM) which provides decision makers with timely, relevant, and accurate information, thereby increasing efficiency and transparency in the defense sector. He likewise assisted in the resolution of several internal security threats while insisting on structural and procedural changes to ensure the observance of human rights. He also pursued strengthening of bilateral and multilateral security and defense cooperation with both regional and extra-regional States in order to further peace and to combat non-traditional security threats. As ex officio Chairman of the then National Disaster Coordinating Council (now the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council), he actively pursued the integration of the various international protocols on disaster risk, assisted in capacity building of the various sectors involved, played a key role in the first ARF Voluntary Demonstration of Response exercise in which 26 countries participated, and coordinated response and rehabilitation efforts in numerous natural and man-made calamities that beset the Philippines during his tenure.

MEMBER, PHILIPPINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (1998-2007)

As Congressman, he was a principal author of the Securities Code of 2000, which shifted the Philippine securities regulation system from a merit regulation system to a full disclosure system. He was the Head of a sizable bloc of Congressmen who were members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition. He assisted in the infrastructure improvement of his congressional district. He was a member of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council which was vital in enacting several key pieces of legislation. He had stints as Assistant Majority Leader and Deputy Minority Leader.

EX OFFICIO MEMBER, PROVINCIAL BOARD OF TARLAC, KABATAANG BARANGGAY CHAIRMAN, REGION III (1980-1985)

He was a former youth representative to various regional, provincial, and municipal bodies and was involved in organizing, training, and motivating the youth in his constituency to improve their political and civic consciousness.

LAWYER, MENDOZA LAW OFFICE (1990-1997)

He trained under the well-respected former Solicitor General and Minister of Justice Estelito P. Mendoza Esq. Participated in the litigation of various high profile cases of several prominent individuals involving a wide range of issues- constitutional, corporate, criminal, civil, and administrative. Participated in pro-bono work to assist various indigent litigants.

PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE

CHAIRMAN, SURICON RESOURCES CORPORATION AND MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF VARIOUS FIRMS AND FOUNDATIONS (1994-1996, 2011 to present)

Mr. Teodoro completed his elementary and intermediate education in Xavier School, a Jesuit run private school. He then attended the De La Salle University in Manila, a Christian Brothers private university, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree majoring in Management of Financial Institutions. In 1985 he was accepted into the University of the Philippines, College of Law, the premier State University, and graduated third in his class with a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB). He was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. He placed first in the Philippine Bar Examinations of 1989. In 1996 he was admitted to the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA graduating with a Masters in Law degree (LLM). He was then admitted to the State Bar of New York. He likewise completed the Command and Staff Course of the Philippine Air Force and the Joint and Combined Staff Officer Course of the Armed Forces of the Philippines where he won the Leadership Award in both courses.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

Mr. Teodoro is a sought after speaker in various fora involving public issues such as national security and public governance. He is also a sought after speaker in various school and youth functions. He gained the limelight in the 2010 Presidential Election where he waged a dignified, positive campaign, concentrating on issues and avoiding personal attacks on his opponents. He performed well in public debates and earned public credibility. He is a Colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve, being a pilot and an aviation enthusiast. He has lectured in various military education courses. He is the Chairman of the Philippine Air Force Multi Sector Governance Council since November 2015. He is a Member of various Clubs and Associations both Philippine and International.

HONORS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Mr. Teodoro is a recipient of numerous honors, awards, and decorations, both civilian and military. He was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Grand Commander, the first to be awarded with such a rank.

FAMILY AND OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION

Mr. Teodoro was born in Manila on June 14, 1964. His father Gilberto O. Teodoro was a distinguished public servant, heading the Philippine Social Security System from 1966 to 1986 and presiding over its steady growth and stability. Prior to that, the elder Teodoro was with the Food and Agricultural Organization and one of the first to work the International Monetary Fund in 1951. He organized and was the first Chairman of the Union bank of the Philippines. He passed away in 2008. His mother, Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro is a lawyer, a former Delegate to the Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1971, a former Member of the defunct Philippine parliament, and a former Deputy Minister of the Budget; she is currently an officer of several Corporations.

Mr. Teodoro is married to Monica Lopez Prieto, a member of old, distinguished Philippine families. She is a successful business executive and Chairperson of the Golden Rooster Foundation. She was a trailblazing Member of the 14th Congress of the Philippines. She was instrumental in the creation of the Committee on the Welfare of Children, a standing committee, and was its first Chairperson, a milestone achievement for a freshman legislator. She sponsored numerous pieces of legislation such as the landmark law banning child pornography. She is currently the Special Envoy of the President to UNICEF.