SENATORS lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM) move for the appointments of lawyer Gilberto Gibo C. Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) and Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa as secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as they welcomed the new appointees under the present administration.

Teodoro also served as the Secretary of Defense during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, while Herbosa served as Undersecretary of DOH from the year 2010 to 2015.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that he fully supports the President’s appointments of Defense Secretary Teodoro and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, saying that “they are tried and tested public servants.”

“Sec. Teodoro is a tried and tested public servant, and we trust that he will head the Department of Defense most capably, particularly amidst this atmosphere of brewing tensions in our waters,” the Senate chief said.

He also said that DOH, with an experienced public health expert at the helm, comes at an opportune time with the bicameral approval of the Regional Specialty Centers Act.

“We are hopeful that he will spearhead a truly whole-of-nation approach in the improvement of our public health services,” Zubiri said, adding: “With Secretary Teodoro in defense and Sec. Herbosa in health, the President has just addressed the two most pressing challenges of our time – territorial integrity and our full recovery from the pandemic. Their appointments should give a big boost to our fight to have a secure and stronger nation supported by a healthy population.”

Senator Grace Poe, for her part, said the move of the President to appoint people “with integrity and expertise is timely.”

“We trust that their expertise and experience in their respective fields will help them carry on the gargantuan tasks that lie ahead. The new Secretaries are crucial in deciding and implementing strategies in addressing the various health issues we are facing and in upholding the country’s territorial integrity against various threats,” Poe explained.

Poe expressed the belief that focus and commitment to the job coupled with straight and true service “will fortify our health and defense sectors and deliver the services our people deserve.”

Sen. Jose Jinggoy Estrada said having a “permanent secretary” of the DND is crucial for the country for several reasons.

“It ensures continuity and stability, expertise, effective coordination, policy implementation, accountability, and representation in defense and security matters. These contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the defense sector in safeguarding the nation’s security.”

Estrada further said that as the third civilian to be appointed as permanent DND chief since 1986, Teodoro has the “best credentials,” not to mention the experience, to handle the position which deals “with complex and long-term security issues,” having been designated to the same position in 2007 to 2009.

“On top of all these, he’s a licensed commercial pilot, Air Force reservist, and a bar topnotcher,” Estrada stressed.

“I am optimistic that his experience and expertise in defense matters will ensure informed decision-making and effective management of defense affairs, particularly on security challenges,” he said.

As well, Estrada commended DND Chief Carlito Galvez for a “job well done.”

“I’m hoping that outgoing DND Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. will continue to be of service under the present administration as he has proven to be highly capable and dependable, even with a wide range of responsibilities. He deserves commendation for his exemplary service and contributions to the country, having played a pivotal role in leading the country’s response to the global health crisis,” Estrada said.

He also served as the chairperson of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) during his tenure as Secretary of Defense.

Teodoro has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, majoring in Financial Institutions from the De La Salle University-Manila.

He completed his law degree, graduated at the top of his class at the University of the Philippines (UP), and achieved the top rank in the 1989 Philippine Bar Examinations.

Teodoro also has a Master’s degree in Law from Harvard University.

He was recognized as a Leadership Awardee and Seminar Academic Excellence Awardee during his time at the Air Command and Staff College, Air Education and Training Command Philippine Air Force Command and Staff Course in 2001.

In 2003, he attended the Joint and Combined Staff Officers Course, Class Nr 1, JCSC in Camp Aguinaldo, where he was honored as a Leadership Awardee.

Herbosa, on the other hand, previously served as an Undersecretary at the DOH from 2010 to 2015, contributing to various initiatives such as the Hospital Accreditation Commission, the modernization of the Philippine Orthopedics Center, and promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Health.

He obtained his medical degree from UP-Manila and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from UP-Diliman.

Herbosa also obtained an International Diploma Course in Emergency and Crisis Management from the University of Geneva and Postgraduate Studies in Medicine from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.