Gibo Teodoro to meet with Duterte in Davao City

MANILA, Philippines – Former National Defense secretary and 2010 presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Monday arrived in Davao City to meet with presumptive president Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Teodoro, eyed to become part of incoming Duterte’s administration, arrived early Monday at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport. He is scheduled to meet with the mayor on Monday.

 “Yes, today may meeting sila sa Davao,” a former member of Duterte’s media group confirmed to Philstar.com.

Teodoro’s arrival photo posted by Duterte’s ally, former Ateneo Blue Eagle player Joblack “Jobe” Nkemakolam, circulated in social media, creating buzz that the former secretary was meeting with the mayor for a possible Cabinet position.

Teodoro’s meeting was set on the day Duterte is scheduled to receive well-wishers, guests, including ambassadors of China, Israel and Japan as well as other possible appointees to top Cabinet positions at the Matina Enclaves Clubhouse.

Reports said the Duterte camp confirmed the inclusion of Teodoro in the incoming Cabinet. He is reportedly eyed to be the secretary of Foreign Affairs.

In September 2014, Duterte turned down Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s proposal to become her vice presidential candidate for the 2016 elections. He instead endorsed Teodoro whom he described as an “honest man” with "capabilities beyond issue."

"He is a man of integrity and competence and he would make a good vice president of this republic," Duterte said previously.

Aside from Teodoro, Jesus Dureza, Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez, Tomas Alcantara and Maribojoc, Bohol Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. were the individuals said to be expected in Duterte’s Cabinet.

Teodoro is the cousin of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, a pilot that has a Master of Laws degree in Harvard Law School and a member of the State Bar of New York since 1997.