National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago has tendered his irrevocable resignation, citing persistent attempts to malign his reputation despite what he described as reforms and anti-corruption measures he had instituted in the agency.
In a resignation letter addressed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and coursed through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Santiago said his decision was prompted by “covert moves” from detractors who, he claimed, were bent on discrediting his leadership at the bureau.
His resignation will take effect immediately upon the appointment of his replacement.
“Detractors and those who have sinister interest in my position incessantly make moves to blemish my reputation. Those covert moves started when I tendered my courtesy resignation in respond to your call. To my mind, lies, if repeated overtime, will give a semblance of truth,” Santiago wrote.
The former judge, prosecutor, and police officer assumed the post a little over a year ago and vowed to “purge the bureau of scalawags.” In his letter, he recounted how he removed erring personnel, initiated investigations into irregularities, and even abolished the Special Task Force (STF) to send a strong message against corruption within the NBI.
Santiago also highlighted high-profile entrapment operations that led to the arrest of San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio “Jun” Punsalan Jr. and former Tiwi, Albay councilor John Bron as proof that the NBI under his watch aligned with Marcos’ anti-corruption agenda.
He said these efforts were in line with the President’s vow during his last State of the Nation Address to “pull a halt to corruption.”
“Barely more than a year ago, I was ecstatic to accept my appointment as Director of the Bureau… With my experiences as a former police officer, prosecutor and judge, I steered the Bureau with my best leg forward — regaining the trust and confidence of the Filipino people [and] the media,” Santiago said.
Despite these accomplishments, he stressed that he could not allow what he called an “orchestrated move” to erode the reputation he had built over decades in public service.
“I cannot allow this seemingly orchestrated move to blacken my reputation, which I molded through the years,” he said.
In concluding his resignation letter, Santiago expressed gratitude to Marcos for entrusting him with the post and pledged to support the administration beyond his tenure at the NBI. “Rest be assured that I will continue supporting your administration,” he wrote. —with reports from Boy Gonzales, DZRH News
