Gilberto “Gilbert” Cojuangco Teodoro, Jr
In a time of great change, a beacon is needed to guide the Filipinos. Gilberto “Gibo” Cojuangco Teodoro, Jr. can be that beacon.
Gibo is the only son of former Social Security System (SSS) administrator Gilberto Teodoro, Sr. and former Batasang Pambansa member Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro. During his elementary and high school days at Xavier School in San Juan City, Gibo was the tall, lanky, and curly-haired kid who wore teeth and back braces. But the young Gibo was exceptionally smart and genial. He may have come from a prolific family, but Gibo was neither sheltered nor a snob. Growing up, he had an early taste of politics and he showed great interest for public service.
He was elected Kabataang Barangay president in his hometown Tarlac in 1980 and concurrently became Central Luzon Kabataang Barangay president for five years. He was bona fide member of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Tarlac from 1980 to 1986.
He furthered his education at the De La Salle University Manila, graduating with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Financial Institutions in 1984. A strong sense of justice inspired him to pursue a Law degree at University of the Philippines, where he received the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence in 1989—the same year he topped the Philippine Bar exams. Subsequently, he passed the New York State Bar examinations in 1997.
Gibo completed his masters degree at the Harvard Law School in Massachusetts and, just early this year, he was given the first honorary Doctor of Laws degree by West Negros University of Bacolod.
For seven years, Gibo practiced his profession at the Estelito Mendoza Law Firm until his congressional candidacy in 1998. By his own merits, Gibo won and became Tarlac’s First District Representative for three terms (nine years). While in congress, Gibo was a proponent of human rights, economic development, and progress.
Aside from being a licensed commercial pilot, he also holds rank as colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve Force.
Gibo, 45, is married to present Tarlac First district Representative Monica “Nikki” Prieto-Teodoro and they have one son named Jaime Gilberto.
As the 34th and youngest Department of National Defense Secretary, Gibo is headstrong on preserving the security of the country. As the concurrent Chairman of National Disaster Coordinating Council, he is proactive and involved in disaster management......
