Secretary of National Defense (Philippines)

The Philippine secretary of National Defense (Kalihim ng Tanggulang Pambansa) is the head of the Philippine Department of National Defense and a member of the President's Cabinet.

The current secretary is former Philippine House representative of the Tarlac's 1st congressional district Gilbert Teodoro. He assumed office on June 5, 2023 and previously served the same position 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.

Revolutionary Government of the Philippines
Prior to the formation of the Department of National Defense in 1935, President Emilio Aguinaldo established the Department of War and Public Works that served similar functions.

List of national defense secretaries
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