Justice Secretary Considers Leadership After NBI Chief Resignation
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla clarified on Monday that he has not yet decided on an officer in charge to lead the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the resignation of its chief, Jaime Santiago. The decision on who will take over remains under careful consideration, sources close to the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
“His request in his resignation is that he would stay on until his successor is appointed, so the thought of having an OIC has not crossed my mind,” Remulla told reporters during an interview at the DOJ headquarters. This statement came as officials continue to assess the bureau’s leadership needs amid the transition.
Temporary Leadership Recommendations Submitted
Earlier, DOJ spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV reported that the department had recommended two officials—Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres and Assistant Justice Secretary Eliseo Cruz—to temporarily oversee the NBI’s operations. However, the final decision regarding a permanent replacement is still pending.
“We have endorsed names to the President’s Office [to serve] in an acting capacity. But in terms of the actual permanent replacement, that is something the secretary is still mulling over,” Clavano explained. He added that Andres and Cruz were chosen because they belong to the DOJ’s law enforcement cluster, which ensures continuity in the bureau’s critical functions.
NBI Chief’s Resignation Sparks Speculation
Malacañang confirmed over the weekend that Santiago submitted his “irrevocable” resignation letter after serving only one year as NBI director. The former chief cited a “seemingly orchestrated” campaign to undermine his reputation as the primary reason for stepping down.
“Detractors and those who have sinister interest in my position incessantly ma[d]e moves to blemish my reputation … To my mind, lies, if repeated over time, will give a semblance of truth,” Santiago stated. He added, “I cannot allow this seemingly orchestrated move to blacken my reputation, which I molded through the years.” Community members familiar with the situation echoed concerns over internal conflicts within the bureau.
Justice Secretary’s Confidence in Santiago’s Leadership
Clavano emphasized that Santiago retained the trust and confidence of Justice Secretary Remulla throughout his tenure. He described Santiago as “a man of principle” who diligently executed the directives of both the President and the justice department.
Remulla also praised Santiago’s performance, highlighting the agency’s successful raids and other initiatives that the DOJ aims to continue. “His proactive approach and dedication were commendable,” an official noted.
Possible Causes Behind the Resignation
When asked about the reasons leading to Santiago’s resignation, sources cited differences in leadership style and perspectives within the NBI. “There really are differences in perspective, with varying methods and approaches, especially since Director Jimmy came from outside,” Clavano said. “He had his own approach, which we saw was very proactive and full of initiative.”
However, it appears that some longtime members of the bureau may have resisted these changes. “You cannot discount the fact that he may have done something that those who had already been there for a long time did not like. And it became a matter of fixing things. We had hoped that could have been resolved right away, but perhaps it reached a point where they could no longer settle it among themselves,” Clavano added.
Next Steps for the NBI
The Justice Secretary continues to carefully evaluate potential candidates to lead the NBI permanently. Meanwhile, the agency’s operations will be temporarily managed by the recommended officials to ensure stability.
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