The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Lawyer Melvin Matibag has been named the new director of the National Bureau of Investigation, Malacañang announced Thursday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. exercised his prerogative in making the appointment.
“Unang-una, prerogative po ng Pangulo. Masasabi natin, bakit niya in-appoint? Nandoon po ang tiwala. Nakitaan po niya si Atty. Melvin Matibag na maaaring pagtiwalaan, maaaring magtrabaho para sa gobyerno,” Castro said.
Matibag previously served under the Duterte administration and was known as an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte. The Palace did not clarify if his prior political ties influenced Marcos’ decision.
He succeeds Lito Magno, who had served as acting NBI chief following the resignation of former director Jaime Santiago last year.