Teodoro on plans for 2028 polls: Who knows what will happen?

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro remains "undecided" on whether he will run for the 2028 presidential elections, as he was asked at the Saturday News Forum about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s potential pick for the next polls.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there and I’ll weigh what’s best for the situation I find myself in," Teodoro said.

"I’ve been there and I’ve done that before... I ran for senator, didn’t make it. I find myself here. I find myself in this situation, so who knows what will happen?” he added.

Teodoro ran in the 2010 presidential elections and came in fourth place. He ran again as a senator in the 2022 elections but did not make the Magic 12.

While still unsure about his political plans, Teodoro stressed the importance of how the 2028 elections in terms of asserting the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“Napaka-importante nito kasi ang quality of life and sustenance, hindi ngayon, dahil ang ating tinatanim ngayon, aanihin ito ng future generations, lalong-lalo na, kung titingnan natin, ang kalupaan ay nakaharap sa matinding hamon ng climate change, lindol, napakaraming mga hamon. Saan tayo pupunta?” Teodoro said.

(This is so important because it is a matter of quality of life and sustenance, not now, but we are planting the seeds that will be sowed by the future generations, especially now when our land has so many problems, from climate change, earthquakes, and so many challenges. Where would we go?)

Any slowdown in the assertion of rights over the West Philippine Sea could also result in a slowdown of the economy, Teodoro explained.

He also questioned what would happen to the economy if a leader would allow Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub and undocumented tourists in the country. He also said that the proliferation of substandard goods could also ruin trade.

Teodoro said that it was not a matter of being willing to fight foreign powers over the West Philippine Sea, but a leader must be ready to resist influence. He said that the proper leader should be able to position the country towards a sustainable, law-based future. —VAL, GMA News