Teodoro for president? Philippine defence chief draws 2028 election buzz after China clash

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr has garnered growing online support among Filipinos, who view him as a staunch critic of China. This momentum was bolstered by a video that went viral at the Seoul Defence Dialogue on September 8, where he read a handwritten note detailing China's rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. Teodoro's stance on the issue was unequivocal, describing China's actions as "coercion, bullying and aggression".

Beijing responded harshly, with the Chinese foreign ministry accusing Philippine officials of "grandstanding and lying" and calling on them to stop undermining their relationship and the stability of the South China Sea. The incident followed previous sanctions imposed on Teodoro, his wife and child by China in June over remarks they made regarding Beijing's interests and bilateral relations.

While some social media users in the Philippines have begun urging Teodoro to run for the presidency in 2028, political analysts suggest that translating online attention into sustained support will be a significant challenge. Teodoro's past political attempts, such as his unsuccessful bid for the vice-presidential running mate position in 2022, have shown that his path to higher office is not without obstacles.

Despite this, his expertise and qualifications are seen as strong assets, though his winnability remains a topic of debate.