Melvin Matibag named as new NBI director

Lawyer Melvin Matibag was named as the new director of the National Bureau of Investigation.

This was announced by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro during a press briefing on Thursday.

Matibag was known as a Duterte ally. Castro said there is no reason given to her as regards Matibag's appointment.

''Ang rason ay hindi po naipukol sa atin. 'Yan lamang po ang aking maibibigay sa ngayon,'' Castro said. 

(The reason was not given to us. That's the only information I can give at this time.)

When pressed why Matibag was picked by the President even though the latter was a known supporter of the previous Duterte administration, Castro said it is Marcos' prerogative to appoint government officials.

She added that Marcos could have seen that Matibag is fit to work in the government and trustworthy. 

''Unang-una, prerogative naman po ng Pangulo... unang-una, masasabi natin bakit niya iaappoint, nandoon po 'yung tiwala. Nakitaan po niya si Atty. Melvin Matibag na maaaring pagtiwalaan, maaaring magtrabaho sa gobyerno,'' Castro said. 

(That's the prerogative of the President. First, he'll appoint him because of the trust. He sees that Atty. Melvin Matibag is trustworthy and can work in the government.)

No information yet was given on Matibag's oath taking.  

Matibag will replace Atty. Angelito Magno, who only assumed the post last October 2025.

Matibag served as acting Cabinet Secretary in the previous administration and held posts in various institutions, including the National Transmission Corporation, PDP-Laban, Manila International Airport Authority, and Laguna Lake Development Authority, among others. —AOL, GMA Integrated News