*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM
One evening, I had a lengthy conversation with a retired general whom I have known and respected for many years. Our discussions have always been intellectually stimulating because they are never confined to personalities. Instead, they revolve around institutions, governance, national security, and the future of the Republic.
As expected, our conversation eventually drifted to the 2028 Presidential Election.
Without hesitation, he looked at me and said, “If you ask me who among those being mentioned today possesses the competence to become President, I believe Gibo Teodoro is the most qualified.”
I smiled.
Knowing me, I never accept statements at face value, regardless of who says them. I have always believed that democracy deserves questions more than applause.
“Bakit?” I asked him.
His answer surprised me.
“Hindi dahil Defense Secretary siya. Hindi dahil matalino siya. Hindi rin dahil mahusay siyang abogado. It’s because he understands that the future of the Philippines will be determined not only by politics but by national security.”
I paused for a moment.
Then I asked him another question.
“But is that enough for him to become President?”
The retired general remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
“Not yet.”
That answer stayed with me long after our conversation ended.
It made me realize that perhaps many Filipinos still misunderstand what the West Philippine Sea truly represents.
Marami pa rin ang naniniwala na ang usapin ng West Philippine Sea ay problema lamang ng Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, o ng Department of National Defense. Kapag naririnig natin ang salitang West Philippine Sea, ang unang pumapasok sa isip natin ay barko, missile, fighter jets, military exercises, at mga territorial disputes.
Pero sa totoo lang, napakaliit lamang ng bahagi ng kuwento ang military aspect.
The West Philippine Sea is no longer merely a defense issue.
It is an economic issue.
It is a political issue.
It is an environmental issue.
It is an energy issue.
Most importantly, it is an issue that quietly affects the daily lives of every Filipino family.
Hindi man ito agad napapansin, pero bawat galaw sa West Philippine Sea ay may epekto sa presyo ng pagkain, sa kabuhayan ng ating mga mangingisda, sa energy security ng bansa, sa investor confidence, at maging sa halaga ng piso.
Kapag natatakot ang investors dahil sa geopolitical uncertainty, bumabagal ang investments.
Kapag bumabagal ang investments, bumabagal ang trabaho.
Kapag bumabagal ang trabaho, bumababa ang purchasing power ng ordinaryong Pilipino.
Kapag nahihirapan ang ating mga mangingisda dahil sa harassment sa ating sariling Exclusive Economic Zone, naaapektuhan ang suplay ng isda.
Kapag lumiit ang supply, tumataas ang presyo.
Kapag tumataas ang presyo, ang unang naaapektuhan ay hindi ang mga mayayaman.
Kundi ang ordinaryong pamilya.
Ang nanay na namamalengke.
Ang tatay na naghahanapbuhay.
Ang estudyanteng umaasa sa baon.
The West Philippine Sea eventually reaches every Filipino dining table.
Perhaps this is where Secretary Gibo Teodoro has an opportunity.
Throughout his tenure as Secretary of National Defense, he has established himself as one of the administration’s strongest voices in defending Philippine sovereignty. He has consistently articulated the country’s legal position under international law while emphasizing modernization of the Armed Forces and stronger strategic partnerships.
These are important accomplishments.
But presidential elections are not won by accomplishments alone.
They are won by convincing people that you understand their everyday struggles.
Ito ang malaking hamon kay Secretary Gibo Teodoro.
Today, many Filipinos know him as a brilliant lawyer.
Others know him as an excellent Defense Secretary.
Some admire his intellectual depth.
Some appreciate his firmness on the West Philippine Sea.
But very few probably know what kind of President he intends to become.
That distinction is important.
Because the Filipino people do not elect a Defense Secretary.
They elect a President.
And a President carries responsibilities far beyond national defense.
The President worries about inflation.
The President worries about agriculture.
The President worries about education.
The President worries about healthcare.
The President worries about corruption.
The President worries about disaster preparedness.
The President worries about digital transformation.
The President worries about jobs.
The President worries about the future of every Filipino child.
Kung gusto ni Secretary Teodoro na maging tunay na malakas na contender sa 2028, kailangan niyang ipakita sa taumbayan na ang kanyang pagtingin sa West Philippine Sea ay hindi nagtatapos sa maritime security.
Kailangan niyang ipaliwanag kung paano ito konektado sa food security.
Sa energy security.
Sa national economy.
Sa investments.
Sa tourism.
Sa fisheries.
Sa environmental sustainability.
At higit sa lahat, sa kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino.
People must begin seeing him not simply as the guardian of Philippine territory.
But as someone capable of protecting the Filipino dream.
Isa pa sa dapat niyang gawin ay mas lumapit sa ordinaryong mamamayan.
Hindi sapat ang press conferences.
Hindi sapat ang policy speeches.
Hindi sapat ang military briefings.
The Filipino voter appreciates leaders who listen.
Leaders who walk inside public markets.
Leaders who talk to jeepney drivers.
Leaders who visit fishing communities.
Leaders who understand what inflation feels like because they have listened to mothers budgeting every peso.
Leadership begins with listening before speaking.
I also believe Secretary Teodoro must become more visible in discussing domestic governance.
Hindi lamang defense.
Hindi lamang geopolitics.
Kundi pati ekonomiya.
Artificial Intelligence.
Education.
Government efficiency.
Digital transformation.
Environmental protection.
Disaster resilience.
Health care.
Agriculture.
Urban development.
The Filipino people need to hear his thoughts about these issues.
Not because he lacks competence.
But because the public has yet to associate him with them.
Another area where he can make a significant impact is integrity.
Corruption remains one of the deepest frustrations of our people.
Every administration has promised to fight it.
Yet every administration has also faced questions about it.
Imagine if Secretary Teodoro becomes known not only as the man who defended Philippine sovereignty, but also as the leader who championed transparency, meritocracy, institutional reforms, and accountability.
That would resonate beyond politics.
Because corruption affects everyone.
Kapag may corruption sa flood control, tayo ang binabaha.
Kapag may corruption sa edukasyon, ang mga bata ang nahuhuli.
Kapag may corruption sa health sector, ang pasyente ang nagdurusa.
Kapag may corruption sa infrastructure, ang buong bansa ang nagbabayad.
Integrity is not merely a moral issue.
It is an economic issue.
It is a governance issue.
It is a quality-of-life issue.
Finally, I believe Secretary Teodoro must give Filipinos something every successful presidential candidate eventually offers.
Hope.
Hindi sapat ang sabihin kung ano ang mga banta.
Mas mahalagang sabihin kung paano magiging mas maganda ang kinabukasan.
Filipinos do not wake up every morning thinking about geopolitics.
They wake up thinking about tuition.
Electric bills.
Rice prices.
Traffic.
Employment.
Hospital expenses.
The future of their children.
If Secretary Teodoro can connect all these concerns into one coherent national vision, then the conversation about his presidential prospects will naturally become stronger.
Because leadership is ultimately about making people believe that tomorrow can become better than today.
As I ended my conversation with the retired general, I asked him one final question.
“So, do you think Gibo can win in 2028?”
He smiled.
“Winning an election,” he said, “is never determined solely by qualifications. Many qualified people have lost elections. Many popular people have won them.”
He paused before continuing.
“But if he can convince the Filipino people that the West Philippine Sea is not simply about defending islands but about defending every Filipino family’s future, and if he can expand that message into a vision for cleaner government, a stronger economy, better education, and a more united nation, then he will no longer be seen merely as a Defense Secretary.”
“He will begin to be seen as a President.”
As I drove home that evening, I kept reflecting on those words.
Perhaps that is the challenge before every aspiring national leader.
Not simply to prove that they can defend the Republic’s borders.
But to convince every Filipino that they can defend their dreams.
Because in the end, presidents are remembered not only for the wars they prevented or the territories they protected.
They are remembered for the lives they changed, the opportunities they created, the institutions they strengthened, and the hope they gave to a nation searching not merely for another politician, but for a statesman.
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Dear friends,
*About the author:
