NBI director tenders ‘irrevocable resignation’

Name, reputation as an upright person more valuable than government post

On Aug 16, 2025

The photo release from Malacañang last June 14, 2024, showing retired judge Jaime Santiago, taking his oath as National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director before Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin. Accompanying Santiago at the time are the members of his family. Barely one year later, Santiago resigned, showing he values his name and credibility that took him decades to build more than any position in the Marcos administration.

FORMER Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Jaime Santiago has tendered his “irrevocable resignation” to President Marcos Jr. on Friday, August 15, as director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), citing an “orchestrated move” by some quarters that he did not name to “blacken” his “reputation.”

“Barely more than a year ago, I was ecstatic to accept my appointment as director of the bureau,” Santiago told the President.

“The challenge was for me to purge the bureau of scalawags. In line with this, I have caused the removal of those who have committed serious infraction in the performance of their duties and commenced the conduct of investigation on the irregularities committed. This also prompted me to abolish one unit (NBI Special Task Force) to show that I really mean business.”

A copy of the resignation letter of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director, Judge Jaime Santiago dated August 15, 2025, circulating in social media.

“However,” Santiago said, “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 repeated overtime, will give a semblance of truth.”

Santiago was referencing President Marcos’ order last May 22 for all Cabinet members and presidential appointees to submit their courtesy resignations in the aftermath of the disastrous result for the administration of the midterm polls ten days earlier.

“I cannot allow this seemingly orchestrated move to blacken my reputation which I molded thru the years,” the highly respected official said.

Without being specific, Santiago is alluding to the corrupt elements within the NBI and their coddlers within the administration by prefacing his letter to President Marcos of the latter’s message to stop corruption during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28.

Santiago described the President’s message against corruption as “firm, loud, clear, and devoid of politicizing.”

He also cited the NBI’s arrest last August 5 of San Simon, Pampanga mayor Abundio ‘JP’ Punzalan Jr. and John Mabini Bron, former Tiwi, Albay councilor last August 8. Both were arrested by the NBI for robbery extortion.

Santiago not only dismantled the NBI-STF but also ordered the investigation of 13 of its members after a controversial raid last July 14 at beach resort in Malolos City, Bulacan targeting Chinese nationals. Santiago described the raid as “irregular.”

That operation prompted China’s Ministry of Education and the Foreign Ministry to issue a warning to its citizens, especially Chinese students. that public safety in the Philippines is deteriorating, with increasing crimes targeting Chinese nationals.

A bemedalled police officer, Santiago then worked his way to become a lawyer and was subsequently appointed as a trial court judge.

He was appointed NBI director last June 14, 2024.