Presidential aspirant Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday said he is leaving office without a scandal after more than two years as head of the Department of National Defense.

While he has yet to formally tender his resignation, Teodoro bid goodbye to DND employees during the celebration of its 70th anniversary yesterday.

In his message, Teodoro told DND officials and employees and Armed Forces officers at the celebration, “I am very glad to report to our people that there have been no scandals.”

“There have been attempts but we have nipped them in the bud,” he said.

Teodoro said he has forwarded to the Undersecretary for Internal Affairs and the Undersecretary for Legal Affairs the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report on the delivery of substandard ammunition.

“And I wish that the investigation be completed and done as soon as possible.

But we do not stop there because our people deserve the best and the cleanest utilization of their money,” he said.

Teodoro was referring to supply of mortars delivered in 2007 which the FBI said was substandard.

The FBI found the mortars did not comply with the specification stated in the contract, he said.

“May tyansa na mag-flop at mag-dud ito kasi kailangan ng malaking power charge para mag-arm yung fuse niya dahil may kalakihan yung fuse,” he said.

The mortars were procured before his assumption as defense secretary but delivered during his term.

Teodoro said he cancelled during his watch what would have been another irregular bidding of some P500-million worth of mortars for the AFP.

Teodoro said that during his time at the DND, he experienced several challenges and implemented several reforms aimed to fully professionalize the department, including inculcating a culture of integrity and uncompromising standards.