Palace: Aquino admin trusts NBI chief

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has yet to act on the resignation of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nonnatus Rojas, a Palace official said Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said while there is still no official action from the President, the Aquino administration has still full trust and confidence on Rojas.

“Yes (Rojas retains the government’s trust), if you recall, a number of investigations, a number of reports have been initiated under his watch," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a televised press briefing.

Rojas has submitted his irrevocable resignation after President Aquino said that NBI officials who allegedly tipped off Janet Lim-Napoles about her arrest warrant will be charged.

Lacierda cited high profile cases under the leadership of Rojas such as the investigations on the Atimonan, Quezon rubout and the Balintang Channel incident wherein Philippine Coast Guard personnel shot dead a Taiwanese fishermen.

“Malaki at marami ang nagawa ni Director Rojas kaya ang rekomendasyon ni (Justice) Secretary (Leila) De Lima ay i-reject ang kanyang resignation,” said Lacierda.

The Palace official said the work of Rojas and his team in the case build-up for the pork barrel scam investigation continues.