Lacson Praises Defense Chief, Floats ‘President Gilbert Teodoro’

Photo via Inquirer net

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson praised Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. for his response to China’s position on the West Philippine Sea and floated the idea of a future “President Gilbert Teodoro.”

Sec. Lacson’s remarks followed Teodoro’s response to an unsigned note handed to him while he was speaking at the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea on Sept. 8.

The note reiterated China’s rejection of the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea. Teodoro was discussing international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (U.N.C.L.O.S.) when the note was delivered to him.

Sec. Teodoro read portions of the note before responding to the position presented in it. He questioned the timing of the message and criticized the manner in which it was delivered during the forum.

The defense secretary described the incident as “actual coercion, bullying and aggression.” He also maintained the Philippines’ position on upholding U.N.C.L.O.S. and defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The note stated that the 2016 arbitral ruling was “illegal, null, and void.” It added that it had no binding force, reflecting Beijing’s long-standing rejection of the ruling.

The 2016 arbitral ruling, issued by an international tribunal under U.N.C.L.O.S., rejected the legal basis of China’s claims to historic rights over areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China has continued to reject the ruling.

The incident drew a response from China’s Foreign Ministry. Spokesperson Mao Ning urged the Philippines to stop what Beijing described as “provocations and theatrics” and accused Manila of undermining China-Philippines relations and stability in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (D.F.A.), meanwhile, said it respected Teodoro’s statement and views but declined to comment further on the incident.

Sen. Lacson later praised Sec. Teodoro’s handling of the exchange and referred to the possibility of a “President Gilbert Teodoro,” highlighting the defense secretary’s performance and leadership qualities.

Sen. Lacson’s remark was not an announcement of Sec. Teodoro’s presidential candidacy. Rather, it came in the context of his praise for Sec. Teodoro’s response to China’s position and his performance at the international security forum.

Sec. Teodoro has also raised concerns about China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. In a separate discussion at the Seoul Defense Dialogue, he warned that changes in regional military cooperation could create opportunities for China to expand its influence and emphasized the importance of continued security cooperation among countries in the region.