Melvin Matibag Appointed New NBI Director Amid Transition

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed lawyer Melvin Matibag as the new director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), placing a seasoned political figure at the helm of the Philippines’ premier investigative agency. The appointment, confirmed on February 19, 2026 by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, ends months of interim leadership at the bureau.

Matibag will replace acting NBI director Lito Magno, who assumed the role in October 2025 following the resignation of former director Jaime Santiago in August of the same year.

A Presidential Decision Framed on Trust

In announcing the appointment, Castro offered a brief explanation, underscoring the discretionary power of the presidency.

“That is the only information I have received. Atty. Melvin Matibag will be our new NBI director,” Castro said.

She added: “First and foremost it is the President’s prerogative. Why did he him? It is trust. The President recognized Atty. Melvin Matibag [as someone who] can be relied upon and is capable of serving the government.”

No further details were provided about the administration’s expectations for Matibag or any specific policy direction for the bureau. As of the announcement, Matibag had not yet taken his oath of office.

From Cabinet Secretary to Chief Investigator

Matibag previously served as acting Cabinet Secretary in 2022 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He also held the influential post of secretary general of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban), the political party closely associated with Duterte’s leadership.

In October 2023, however, Matibag resigned from his position within PDP–Laban amid intra-party tensions and policy disagreements. His departure marked a visible fissure within a political bloc that once projected unity.

The move distanced him, at least formally, from the Duterte political structure at a time when shifting alliances continue to shape the national landscape.

Leadership Transition at a Critical Agency

The NBI operates under the Department of Justice and serves as the country’s principal investigative arm, handling complex criminal cases that range from organized crime and cyber offenses to high-level corruption investigations. Its authority and reach extend nationwide, making the director’s role one of strategic importance.

The bureau has experienced a period of transition over the past year. Jaime Santiago stepped down in August 2025. Lito Magno took over in an acting capacity two months later. Matibag’s appointment signals a return to permanent leadership after months of interim stewardship.

For a law enforcement agency, leadership stability can function like a compass in rough waters—steady direction often determines investigative consistency, morale and public confidence.

Political Crosscurrents

Matibag’s appointment comes against a backdrop of evolving political tensions. While long identified as a Duterte ally, he has also shown signs of divergence from key figures within that camp.

He filed a disbarment complaint against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and has publicly criticized Vice President Sara Duterte, once describing her in a media interview as a “bratinella.”

These disputes reflect broader fractures among pro-Duterte factions, even as the Duterte family and its supporters have voiced criticism of the current administration and signaled ambitions for future electoral contests.

Implications for the Public

For ordinary Filipinos, the change in leadership at the NBI carries tangible implications. The bureau plays a central role in:

• Investigating serious crimes affecting communities nationwide
• Handling cybercrime and financial fraud cases
• Probing corruption and white-collar offenses
• Supporting prosecutions through forensic and technical expertise

The effectiveness of the NBI often shapes public trust in the criminal justice system. A director’s priorities can influence which cases move swiftly, how resources are allocated and how assertively the bureau pursues sensitive investigations.

Absent a detailed roadmap from Malacañang, attention will likely turn to Matibag’s early directives and appointments within the bureau as indicators of his leadership style and investigative focus.

Awaiting the Oath

As of Thursday’s announcement, Matibag had yet to formally assume office. Once sworn in, he will step into a post that demands both legal acumen and political navigation—overseeing investigations that can move markets, topple officials or restore public faith.

His tenure begins at a time when the stakes for institutional credibility remain high, and when the balance between executive trust and investigative independence will be closely watched.