National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago has stepped down from his post, claiming he was the target of a calculated effort to damage his name following his crackdown on alleged corrupt elements within the bureau.
In a resignation letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dated August 15, and obtained by Bilyonaryo Channel, Santiago expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the country’s top investigative body. He noted that from the time he took over in June 2024, the NBI had launched operations against erring officials, including the arrests of San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio “JP” Punsalan Jr. and former Tiwi, Albay Councilor John Bron, and implemented internal reforms such as abolishing the Special Task Force.
“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 with the Bureau,” Santiago said in his letter.
He alleged that “detractors and those who have sinister interest in my position” had been working to tarnish his reputation, particularly after he submitted a courtesy resignation earlier in response to the President’s call.
Santiago said he would not “allow this seemingly orchestrated move to blacken my reputation” and tendered his irrevocable resignation, to take effect once his successor is named to ensure continuity of operations.
Appointed to replace retired NBI Director Medardo de Lemos, Santiago emphasized that his leadership was guided by the President’s call to stamp out corruption—“firm, loud, clear and devoid of politicizing.”
