Key Takeaways
• Gilberto Teodoro Jr. renounced Maltese citizenship before 2022 senatorial candidacy filing.
• Malta suspended its citizenship-by-investment program in April 2025 due to EU legal concerns.
• Philippine law bans dual citizenship for Cabinet-level officials to ensure loyalty and legal compliance.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. renounced his Maltese citizenship and surrendered his Maltese passport before his appointment as the Philippines’ top defense official, the Department of National Defense confirmed on July 14, 2025. This official statement comes after recent reports questioned whether Teodoro still held Maltese citizenship, raising concerns about his eligibility to serve in a Cabinet-level position.
Teodoro’s Citizenship Status: Official Confirmation
The Department of National Defense (DND) clarified that Gilberto Teodoro Jr. gave up his Maltese citizenship before he filed his certificate of candidacy for the 2022 Philippine senatorial elections. He also surrendered his Maltese passport at that time. The DND explained that Teodoro disclosed this renunciation to the Bureau of Immigration, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Philippine Congress Committee on Appointments before his confirmation as Defense Secretary in 2023. This process followed all legal requirements for public officials in the Philippines.
Why This Matters: Legal Requirements for Public Officials
Philippine law does not allow Cabinet-level officials or candidates for high public office to hold dual citizenship, especially if the foreign citizenship was acquired through naturalization. The law requires that any foreign citizenship must be renounced before a person can serve in such positions. By giving up his Maltese citizenship, Teodoro met these strict legal rules. This step was necessary to avoid any conflict of interest and to show loyalty to the Philippines.
Timeline of Events: From Maltese Citizenship to Renunciation
- December 22, 2016: Gilberto Teodoro Jr. acquired a Maltese passport. He reportedly did this through Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program, which required a large financial investment and property purchase or lease.
- Before 2022 Elections: Teodoro renounced his Maltese citizenship and surrendered his passport before filing his certificate of candidacy in 2021 for the 2022 senatorial elections.
- 2023: He disclosed his renunciation to the Bureau of Immigration, COMELEC, and the Philippine Congress Committee on Appointments before being confirmed as Defense Secretary.
- June 2023: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Teodoro as Secretary of National Defense.
How Malta’s Citizenship-by-Investment Program Works
Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program, officially called the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN), allowed people to become citizens by making a direct investment and meeting residency requirements. Applicants needed to invest between €600,000 and €750,000, buy or lease property, and live in Malta for 12 to 36 months before they could become citizens. This program attracted many wealthy individuals from around the world.
However, as of April 29, 2025, Malta has temporarily suspended this program. The suspension came after the European Court of Justice raised concerns about the sale of citizenship and the risk of transnational crime and sanctions evasion. Malta’s government is now reviewing the program and has not announced when or if it will resume.
Official Statements and Political Reactions
Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong, spokesperson for the Department of National Defense, stressed that Teodoro’s renunciation was properly disclosed to all relevant agencies. He suggested that the recent rumors about Teodoro’s citizenship status were politically motivated and timed to damage his reputation. Andolong said, “Secretary Teodoro has always followed the law and has been open about his citizenship status. These reports are meant to distract from his work defending our country.”
Security experts like Chester Cabalza have also commented on the situation. Cabalza said that the reports questioning Teodoro’s citizenship are attempts to discredit his efforts to protect Philippine sovereignty and security, especially as tensions rise in the South China Sea.
Why Dual Citizenship Is Sensitive in the Philippines
Dual citizenship is a sensitive issue for public officials in the Philippines. The law is clear: people who want to serve in high government positions must not have any foreign citizenship. This rule is meant to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that officials are loyal only to the Philippines. In the past, officials who failed to renounce foreign citizenship have faced legal challenges and public criticism.
Teodoro’s case shows how important it is for public officials to follow these rules. By renouncing his Maltese citizenship, he made sure he could serve as Defense Secretary without any legal or ethical problems.
Background: How Teodoro Acquired and Gave Up Maltese Citizenship
Gilberto Teodoro Jr. got his Maltese citizenship in 2016, likely under the earlier Malta Individual Investor Programme (IIP) or the first phase of the MEIN program. These programs were designed to attract foreign investment by offering citizenship to people who could meet strict financial and residency requirements.
Teodoro’s decision to give up his Maltese citizenship came before he ran for the Senate in 2022. He followed all the steps required by Philippine law, including telling the Bureau of Immigration, COMELEC, and the Philippine Congress Committee on Appointments about his renunciation. This process ensured that he was fully eligible to serve in public office.
Malta’s Citizenship-by-Investment Program: Recent Changes and Controversies
Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program has faced growing criticism in recent years. The European Union and the European Court of Justice have raised concerns that selling citizenship could help people involved in crime or sanctions evasion. In response, Malta suspended the program in April 2025 and is now reviewing its rules.
The program required applicants to:
- Invest between €600,000 and €750,000 in Malta
- Buy or lease property in Malta
- Live in Malta for 12 to 36 months before becoming citizens
These requirements made Maltese citizenship attractive to wealthy individuals, but also led to worries about security and the integrity of the program. As of now, the program remains suspended, and it is unclear when or if it will start again. For more information about Malta’s citizenship programs, readers can visit the Community Malta Agency, which handles citizenship matters in Malta.
Implications for the Philippines and Public Officials
Teodoro’s renunciation of Maltese citizenship has several important effects:
- Legal Compliance: He is now fully eligible to serve as Defense Secretary under Philippine law.
- Public Trust: By following the law, Teodoro helps build trust in the government and shows that public officials must put the country first.
- Political Stability: The clear handling of this issue helps avoid legal and political controversies that could distract from important national security work.
The controversy also highlights the need for strict checks on the citizenship status of public officials, especially as the Philippines faces complex security challenges in the region.
Geopolitical Context: Tensions in the South China Sea
Since becoming Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has been a strong critic of China’s actions in the South China Sea. He has worked to strengthen the Philippines’ security alliances, especially with the United States 🇺🇸. His confirmed eligibility to serve as defense chief means he can continue to play a key role in shaping the country’s defense policy.
The issue of dual citizenship is especially sensitive now, as the Philippines faces growing pressure from China over maritime claims. Ensuring that top officials are fully loyal to the country is seen as essential for national security.
Expert Analysis and Broader Impact
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that Teodoro’s case is a reminder of the importance of transparency and legal compliance for public officials. The controversy also shows how citizenship-by-investment programs can create challenges for countries trying to balance the benefits of foreign investment with the need for security and integrity.
The suspension of Malta’s program reflects a broader trend in Europe, where countries are rethinking the risks and rewards of selling citizenship. For individuals who acquired citizenship through investment, these changes can have serious consequences, including the loss of citizenship or new legal requirements.
What This Means for Other Public Officials and Immigrants
For public officials in the Philippines, Teodoro’s case sets a clear example: anyone who wants to serve in high office must give up any foreign citizenship and follow all legal steps. This rule applies to all officials, regardless of how they acquired foreign citizenship.
For immigrants and people considering citizenship-by-investment programs, the situation in Malta shows that these programs can change quickly. Governments may suspend or change the rules at any time, especially if there are concerns about security or legal compliance.
Practical Steps for Public Officials and Applicants
If you are a public official or planning to run for office in the Philippines and hold foreign citizenship, you must:
- Renounce your foreign citizenship before filing your certificate of candidacy or accepting a government appointment.
- Surrender any foreign passports and provide proof of renunciation to the Bureau of Immigration, COMELEC, and the relevant government agencies.
- Disclose all citizenship information honestly and completely during the appointment or election process.
For those interested in Malta’s citizenship programs, it is important to check the latest updates from the Community Malta Agency before making any decisions.
Looking Ahead: Future Developments
The Department of National Defense and the Philippine government are expected to keep a close watch on the citizenship status of public officials. This careful approach helps prevent legal and political problems and ensures that officials are fully loyal to the country.
Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program remains suspended, and it is unclear when or if it will start again. The European Court of Justice’s ruling against the program marks a major shift in European policy and could affect many people who acquired citizenship through investment.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s strong stance against China’s maritime claims and his confirmed eligibility to serve as defense chief mean he will likely continue to play a leading role in Philippine defense policy. His case also serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency, legal compliance, and public trust in government.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Gilberto Teodoro Jr. renounced his Maltese citizenship and surrendered his passport before his appointment as Defense Secretary, following all legal requirements.
- The Department of National Defense confirmed his eligibility, and experts say recent rumors are politically motivated.
- Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program is suspended, reflecting wider concerns about security and the sale of citizenship.
- Public officials in the Philippines must renounce any foreign citizenship before serving in high office.
- For the latest information on Malta’s citizenship programs, visit the Community Malta Agency.
By following these steps and staying informed, public officials and applicants can avoid legal problems and help build trust in government. The case of Gilberto Teodoro Jr. shows how important it is to follow the law and put the country first, especially in times of political and security challenges.
Learn Today
Renunciation → Formal act of giving up citizenship to comply with legal eligibility for public office.
Citizenship-by-Investment → Program allowing individuals to gain citizenship through financial investment and residency requirements.
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) → Philippine government agency overseeing election processes and candidate eligibility verification.
Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) → Malta’s former citizenship-by-investment program requiring investment, property, and residency.
Dual Citizenship → Holding citizenship in two countries simultaneously, often restricted for public officials.
This Article in a Nutshell
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. renounced his Maltese citizenship before seeking office, meeting all Philippine legal rules amid Malta’s citizenship program suspension and heightened scrutiny on public officials’ foreign citizenship for national security.
— By VisaVerge.com
