The Department of National Defense (DND) has downplayed the complaint filed against Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. regarding alleged issues on his former Maltese citizenship, describing the accusations as unverified and lacking sufficient evidence.
In a statement, DND Assistant Secretary Erik Dy said the complaint appears to improperly shift the burden of proof to government agencies instead of the complainants themselves.
“The complaint filed against the Secretary of National Defense appears to be built on unverified allegations, and attempts to shift the burden of proof to the State… That is not how the justice system works,” Dy said.
He stressed that accusations such as perjury require competent and verified evidence, not speculation or what he described as a “fishing expedition” in search of proof.
“The burden of proof rests on those who make the accusation. A complaint for perjury requires competent evidence, not speculation, assumptions, or a fishing expedition,” he added, noting that claims remain unproven unless supported by credible documentation.
The statement comes amid a complaint filed before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office by lawyers and concerned citizens questioning Teodoro’s alleged foreign passport records and citizenship declarations.
In an interview with DZRH News last year, July 2025, Teodoro dismissed the allegations, calling them part of a long-running “smear campaign.”
“Noong bago pa ako nag-file [ng kandidatura sa 2022 elections], nandyan na ’yan. Ni-renounce ko na, tapos na-confirm ako. I answered, nagkaroon ako ng passport. Wala namang bisa, na-confirm ako,” Teodoro said.
The complaint is currently under review by prosecutors, who will determine whether a preliminary investigation will proceed.
