PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday appointed Gilbert Teodoro Jr. as secretary of national defense and Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as secretary of health.
The Presidential Communications Office said the appointments were announced after Marcos in separate meetings met with Teodoro and Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, and Herbosa and Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire on Monday afternoon.
The appointments came after Marcos said in early May said that a reorganization could happen in his Cabinet as the appointment ban on losing candidates who ran in last year’s elections ended on May 9, 2023.
He said he was keen on appointing to certain positions some individuals who are now no longer covered by the prohibition.
Teodoro was first appointed defense secretary under the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was the youngest to hold the position at 43.
He also assumed the role of Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) during his tenure as Secretary of Defense.
Teodoro ran for senator in Eleksyon 2022 after several years of taking a break from the public eye.
He was also a three-term member of the House of Representatives when he represented the first district of Tarlac.
Teodoro is topped the bar in 1989 after graduating at the top his class at the University of the Philippines College of Law. He has a bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Major in Financial Institutions from De La Salle University.
He furthered his legal education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Law from Harvard University.
Herbosa served as health undersecretary from 2010 to 2015 under the administration of then President Benigno Aquino III.
