Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo Cojuangco Teodoro Jr. PLH (born June 14, 1964), nicknamed Gilbert or Gibo (Tagalog: [ɡɪˈboʔ]),[1] is a Filipino lawyer, politician and business executive who is the incumbent Secretary of National Defense under the Marcos Jr. administration since 2023.

[2][3] During his time as defense secretary, he was known for his efforts as the chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) when Mega Manila was hit by Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy).

During his college days, he had not been involved in campus politics, and had been busy with his other commitments outside school, including being a member of the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) in Tarlac and learning how to fly planes.

He assumed the position of Assistant Majority Leader in the 11th Congress and head of the Nationalist People's Coalition House members.

When Typhoon Ketsana hit the country, Teodoro immediately issued an appeal for international aid through the United Nations and organized relief operations in the affected areas given the limitations in resources and the scale of the disaster.

[10] Under the law (PD 1566), the NDCC's role as a temporary or ad hoc committee is very limiting because it places the budget and primary responsibility during natural disasters on the hands of local government officials.

For this reason, Teodoro expressed the desire for bills that seek to replace PD 1566 with a permanent Disaster Risk Reduction Council (DRRC) that will be given the right powers and resources to correct the weaknesses of the current law.

[14] And I think this is really looking down on us and that really disgusts me, and so hinihimok ko po ating mga kababayan na talagang tumindig laban dito sa pag insulto ng China sa atin (I am urging our country to stand-up versus this insult of China against us)In September 2024, Teodoro extended the stay of the Typhon midrange capability (MRC) missile in the country to protect the West Philippine Sea.

[16][17] China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reacted to this visit saying that no military agreement "should target any third party" and "should exacerbate regional tensions".

According to him, public service does not only entail integrity, but ability and competence as well because people are looking for clear plans and not just mere promises and most of all positive campaigning.

[24] On May 11, 2010, a day after the elections were held, Teodoro conceded defeat to the leading presidential candidate, Senator Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party, who is his second cousin.

During a press conference he held at the Lakas Kampi CMD national headquarters in Metro Manila, Teodoro wished Aquino well and also announced his decision to return to private life to take care of his family.

In April 2014, Teodoro was elected as an independent director of BDO Unibank, Inc.[25] In August 2015, he was named chairman of the Board of Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI).

In May 2016, Duterte offered Teodoro to return to his post as Secretary of National Defense but said that he would consult his family first on his final decision as to whether he would accept it.

[31] However, Duterte announced that she would instead continue her term as mayor of Davao City; she would later withdraw her reelection bid to instead run for vice president.

On October 7, 2021, Teodoro, through a proxy as he was in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 at that time, filed his certificate of candidacy for senator under People's Reform Party for the 2022 election.