đź“·Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has dismissed recent rumors about the resignation of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, calling them “fake news” and “desperation” from those seeking to create chaos.
In a chance interview with Palace reporters on Thursday, September 12, Marcos addressed the speculation surrounding Teodoro’s resignation, which has been circulating on social media.
“Talaga? May lumabas na balitang ganun? Na nag resign daw si Sec. Gilbert Teodoro? Talaga naman,” Marcos said as he laughed off the claims.
“Alam mo, yung mga nagkakalat ng mga… Unang una, sagutin ko yung tanong mo. Fake, fake, fake, fake, fake, fake, fake news yan,” he added.
The President criticized those spreading such stories, describing them as individuals who are “just making up stories to stir up trouble.”
He urged the public to be cautious when encountering such unfounded reports and to verify the authenticity of any information circulating online.
“Wag po tayong masyadong naniniwala kung wala namang pruweba sa kanilang mga sinasabi,” he said.
On the topic of Secretary Teodoro’s rumored resignation, the President shared that he had directly spoken with the Defense Secretary to clear up the issue.
“Tinawagan ko sya kaninang maagang maaga. ‘Magreresign ka daw.’ ‘Bakit,’ sabi niya, ‘Bakit, paalisin mo na ba ako?’” Marcos recounted. “Sabi ko, ‘Bakit naman kita paalisin, wala naman tayong problema.’”
Marcos said both he and Teodoro laughed off the rumor but agreed that it was necessary to clarify the situation publicly.
The President also reiterated the government’s commitment to serving the Filipino people despite such distractions.
“Patuloy po ang aming trabaho. Hindi po kami titigil,” he assured, noting that his administration’s primary goal is to work for the betterment of the country.
Marcos advised the public to be vigilant against fake news. He added that any changes in the Cabinet or government positions will be announced officially, not through social media posts.
“Kung may magbabago sa Gabinete o sa pamahalaan, kami ang mag aannounce. Hindi kung sino man basta nag post. Kami ang mag announce,” Marcos said.
“Huwag po kayong madala sa ganyan. Sa amin, hindi na namin pinapansini yan dahil alam na namin ang totoo. I have always said this, with some of these rumors that have spread around. We have the advantage. We know the truth,” he added.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez and the Department of National Defense earlier dismissed the rumors circulating on social media, saying that those reports were mere “pathetic attempts” to sow discord in the defense sector.
“Rumors to the contrary are pathetic attempts to sow disunity in an organization united in protecting our people and defending our territory,” Chavez said.
“Busy as they are with their mission, we should spare our fighting men of the corrosive politicking that has no place in their ranks,” he added. (TCSP)
