Gibo Teodoro willing to be Sara Duterte’s running mate in Eleksyon 2022

Former Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Monday offered himself as a potential running mate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte should the latter decide to seek the presidency in next year’s elections.

In a television interview, Teodoro said Duterte had no decision yet whether or not she would run for the country’s highest elective post even as he praised her leadership skills.

“My impression of Mayor Sara talking about issues was that she will make a very good president of this country. She would have the ability to unite a lot of people. She has an independent mind, she has managerial skills running a very complex city like Davao. She’s familiar with national issues,” he said.

“She would be a good president if she decides to run. And to show that I’m willing to back her up, I’ll gladly be her vice president if she so decides.”

Teodoro, who unsuccessfully ran for president under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in 2010, said he would rather remain as an independent.

Teodoro flew to Davao on June 3 to meet with Duterte. The meeting was reportedly arranged by former Camarines Sur Representative Rolando Andaya Jr., who once said he had dreamed of Duterte and Teodoro leading the country in the future.

Teodoro also took the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Duterte’s hometown, saying it was “not intentional at all.”

“There was an opportunity to show that I trust the local health authorities and it was my way of showing all local government units, all health workers that I will trust them,” he said. “I could have signed up with private companies for other vaccines.”

The former Defense chief said he belongs to priority group A3 or persons with comorbidities.

“She [Duterte] offered that we can get A3 vaccines,” Teodoro said. “As a public service I did it.”

The Department of Health said last Friday it sees no issue with individuals getting inoculated in areas that they are not residents of. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News