Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who also sits as chairman of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA), signaled a smooth confirmation for the nominations of Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., who also held the same post during the Arroyo administration, as well as designated Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.
“I welcome and fully support the President’s appointments of Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa,” said Zubiri.
The presiding chairman of the confirming body described Teodoro as “a tried and tested public servant, and we trust that he will head the Department of National Defense [DND] most capably, particularly amid this atmosphere of brewing tensions in our waters.”
Moreover, Zubiri signaled they see no hassle in the case of Herbosa, saying, “We are happy to see the Department of Health [DOH] helmed by an experienced public health expert.”
The chairman of the confirmation body added: “Secretary Herbosa’s appointment comes at an opportune time, with our Regional Specialty Centers Act having just gotten bicameral approval, and we are hopeful that he will spearhead a truly whole-of-nation approach in the improvement of our public health services.”
“With Secretary Teodoro in defense and Secretary Herbosa in health, the President has just addressed the two most pressing challenges of our time—territorial integrity and our full recovery from the pandemic,” he noted, adding:
Their appointments should give a big boost to our fight to have a secure and a stronger nation supported by a healthy population, Zubiri said.
At Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the DND welcomed the appointment Teodoro as its new secretary, his second stint at occupying the position.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Teodoro, a pilot, a former lawmaker and businessman, on Monday to the post. He will succeed Carlito Galvez Jr., who had been the agency’s officer-in-charge.
Teodoro, who topped the 1989 Bar exams and licensed to practice his profession in New York, USA, previously headed the DND for two years.
Straight, bright and intelligent, Teodoro had been dubbed as one of the best secretaries to occupy the defense portfolio.
Galvez also welcomed the appointment of Teodoro and thanked Marcos for allowing him to lead the DND until his successor’s designation.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., for entrusting me to lead the Department over the last few months. I also thank the entire One Defense Team, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and our civilian bureaus, for their support during my tenure as the Officer-in-Charge of the Department,” Galvez said in a statement released by DND spokesman Arsenio “Popong” Andolong.
“We have achieved great strides in our priority programs on internal security, territorial defense, disaster preparedness, and the continued development of the defense organization. Rest assured that the DND has my unequivocal support as we all work together in the pursuit of our vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Philippines,” he said.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, for his part, said “having a permanent secretary of the DND is crucial for several reasons. It ensures continuity and stability, expertise, effective coordination, policy implementation, accountability, and representation in defense and security matters. These contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the defense sector in safeguarding the nation’s security.”
He added: “As the third civilian to be appointed as permanent DND chief since 1986, Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro, has the best credentials, not to mention, the experience, to handle the position which deals with complex and long-term security issues, having been designated to the same position in 2007 to 2009. On top of all these, he’s a licensed commercial pilot, Air Force reservist and a bar topnotcher.”
“I am optimistic that his experience and expertise in defense matters will ensure informed decision-making and effective management of defense affairs, particularly on security challenges,” Estrada said.
With Rene Acosta
