Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres. FACEBOOK/SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES
(UPDATE) THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday designated Undersecretary Jesse Andres as acting director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after Jaime Santiago resigned irrevocably from his post.
The NBI, an attached agency of the DOJ, had been under Santiago’s leadership for just over a year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him in June 2024 to succeed career officer Medardo de Lemos, who retired.
DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano IV said in a press briefing that the department was “surprised” by Santiago’s decision, describing it as personal and irrevocable.
“He is a former policeman and a former judge, and as director, he carried out many proactive initiatives, particularly in raids,” Clavano told reporters. “But since the resignation was irrevocable, it means his decision will not change.”
Clavano emphasized that the resignation should not be seen as politically motivated. “This is a personal decision he made after discussing it with his family. Even if he had informed the secretary beforehand, it could not have been stopped,” he said.
The spokesman explained that the NBI cannot afford a leadership gap, especially with its ongoing crackdown on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and related illegal activities.
“There is no time to waste, and we have to find a suitable replacement so we can continue our efforts,” Clavano said.
Andres, who heads the DOJ’s law enforcement cluster, was tapped to serve in an acting capacity. Clavano said names for the permanent post have been endorsed to Malacañang, while Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is still considering Santiago’s successor.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres Photo courtesy of DOJ
In his resignation letter, Santiago said “detractors” and “those who have sinister interests” in his position “incessantly made moves to besmirch” his reputation, which he had built over years of service.
“Those covert moves started when I tendered my courtesy resignation in response to your call. To my mind, lies, if repeated overtime, will give a semblance of truth. I cannot allow this seemingly orchestrated move to blacken my reputation,” he wrote.
“With this, I would like to tender my irrevocable resignation to take effect immediately upon the appointment of my reliever, in order not to disrupt the smooth flow of operations,” he added.
Santiago clarified that his decision was not driven by disagreements with the administration. “I did not leave because I no longer believed in the administration,” he said in Filipino and English. “I salute the president. I salute the SOJ (secretary of Justice). None of them, for me, ever ordered us to do anything illegal. I had a free hand.”
Clavano also addressed allegations raised against Santiago, dismissing them as unfounded.
“At the DOJ, we’ve always been and will always be evidence-based. If allegations come without supporting evidence — whether on social media, in newspapers or elsewhere — we cannot act on them. Mere allegations and unsubstantiated statements do not warrant an investigation because that would only open the floodgates to abuse,” he added.
During his brief tenure, Santiago oversaw several high-profile operations, including the arrest and deportation of POGO personalities Alice Guo and Cassandra Ong, as well as the deportation of former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves from Timor-Leste.
Santiago highlighted these accomplishments in his statement, saying that with his background as a police officer, prosecutor and judge, he had “steered the bureau with my best leg forward — regaining the trust and confidence of the Filipino people [and] the media.”
“All we want is a better and more professional NBI. Whoever will be appointed permanently should continue the reforms Director Jimmy started, but with more flexibility and smoother handling,” Clavano said.
In his resignation statement, Santiago described his departure as a “win-win situation” for both himself and the bureau.
Shining star
Meanwhile, Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of Ong and Teves, released a statement regarding Santiago’s resignation.
“As a member of the Philippine Bar and a trial lawyer deeply involved in criminal defense, I am greatly saddened by the sudden irrevocable resignation of former Regional Trial Court Judge Jaime Santiago as director of the National Bureau of Investigation NBI,” Topacio said.
“Director Santiago is truly one of the few shining stars in the present universe of the Marcos administration inhabited abundantly by black holes and dying planets. I have known him since he was a judge, and his reputation is unassailable. As NBI director, he has always adhered to the highest standards expected of a public servant, treating my clients Cassandra Li Ong and Arnolfo Teves — as well as everyone he has officially come into contact with — with compassion, humanity and full adherence to the basic tenets of human rights,” he added.
“The departure of the few remaining decent elements in the present administration, like a sinking ship, speaks volumes about the kind of governance we have now. I wish Judge Jimmy the best of health and the longest life that God may grant him. His exemplary service to the country deserves our deepest gratitude and should not be forgotten,” Topacio said.
