Secretary of National Defense (Philippines)

The Secretary of national defense () is the head of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and a member of the president's Cabinet.

The current secretary is former Philippine House representative of Tarlac's 1st congressional district, Gilbert Teodoro. He assumed office on June 5, 2023 and has previously served the same position under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from August 2007 to November 2009.

Historically, this cabinet position has been a stepping stone to the Philippine presidency. Two previous secretaries of national defense were elected president: Ramon Magsaysay and Fidel Ramos. Several others ran for the presidency: Alejo Santos, Juan Ponce Enrile, Renato de Villa, Norberto Gonzales, and Gilbert Teodoro.

Powers and functions

The 1987 Executive Order No. 292 gives the national defense secretary executive supervision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, the National Defense College of the Philippines, and the Government Arsenal.

List of national defense secretaries

Director of War (1897)

Secretary of War (1897)

Secretary of War and Navy (1898–1899)

Secretary of War (1898–1899)

Secretary of National Defense (1939–1941)

Secretary of National Defense, Public Works, Communications, and Labor (1941–1945)

Secretary of National Defense (1945–1978)

Minister of National Defense (1978–1987)

Secretary of National Defense (from 1987)

Notes:

References