DOJ endorsed Usec Andres to serve as acting NBI chief — spox

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has endorsed Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres to serve as the acting director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the resignation of Director Jaime Santiago.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said the department has likewise recommended Justice Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz as the acting NBI officer-in-charge (OIC). 

“Meron tayong mga in-endorse sa President’s Office para sa acting capacity (We have endorsed names to the President’s Office). In terms of the actual permanent replacement, that is something the Secretary is mulling over. Pinag-iisipan pa nilang mabuti kung sino ang pwedeng pumalit kay (They are till determining who can replace) Director Jimmy [Santiago],” Clavano told reporters. 

“We are floating names from the cluster that the NBI is under. The NBI, under the DOJ, falls under the law enforcement cluster (LEC) kaya ‘yung head ng LEC ang gusto nating maging acting NBI director — si Usec. Jesse Andres,” he said. 

Santiago tendered his "irrevocable resignation" effective immediately upon the appointment of his reliever last week. In his letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the outgoing NBI chief said "detractors and those who have sinister interest" in his position have "incessantly" made moves to besmirch his reputation.

A copy of his resignation letter addressed to the President and dated August 15, 2025 was shared to members of media on Saturday.

“I cannot allow this seemingly orchestrated move to blacken my reputation which I molded through the years,” Santiago said.

Clavano, for his part, said the DOJ was “shocked” and “saddened” over Santiago’s resignation. He also said the allegations against Santiago “will not warrant an investigation unless there are pieces of evidence that will come out that support the allegations.”

“Mere allegations and statements that are uncorroborated and unsubstantiated cannot be acted on because that will only open the floodgates and it is subject to abuse,” he said. 

Earlier in the day, Santiago said he will remain as NBI director until his replacement is named.

“Tignan natin kung itong buong linggo na ito. Kung mag-acting na si president, kung may mapili na siya, sige,” Santiago said in Consulta’s post on Facebook. 

(Let’s see if it happens within this whole week. If the president acts, if he chooses someone, then okay.)

“Pero hanggang walang words, walang napipili, walang ano, I will stay to perform my duty. ‘Yun ay bilang respeto,” he added.

(But as long as there are no words, no one chosen, nothing yet, I will stay to perform my duty. That is out of respect.)

Marcos appointed Santiago to take the helm of the NBI in June last year. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News