SOJ Remulla says no OIC, Santiago stays until replacement named

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said that he would not appoint anyone to be the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the resignation of Director Jaime Santiago.

This came after Santiago clarified that he would remain in office while waiting for his replacement.

“Sabi nga, ang kanyang request sa kanyang resignation is he will stay on until the appointment of his successor. So the thought of an OIC has not crossed my mind. In deference to him, and saka with respect to his request in his resignation,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

(As he said, his request in his resignation is that he will stay on until the appointment of his successor. So the thought of an OIC has not crossed my mind. In deference to him, and also concerning his request in his resignation.)

Santiago resigned from his post last week.

In his irrevocable resignation letter, Santiago said there were "detractors and those who have sinister interests" in his position who have "incessantly" made moves to besmirch his reputation.

According to the secretary, he briefly spoke with Santiago last week and would speak to him again about his resignation.

Meanwhile, he clarified that Santiago did not receive any threats, which may have led to his decision.

“Hindi naman. Wala namang threats. Wala, nothing,” he said.

(No, there were no threats. None, nothing.)

“There was a great deal of discomfort, in accordance with what he said... He wasn’t comfortable anymore,” he added.

Earlier, Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said that the DOJ had endorsed Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres as acting director and Justice Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz as acting OIC.

When sought for clarification, Clavano said that Remulla was no longer considering the appointment of an OIC given that Santiago clarified that he would stay on until a permanent director is appointed. –NB, GMA Integrated News