NBI chief resigns; Noy action awaited

MANILA, Philippines - National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nonnatus Rojas tendered his irrevocable resignation yesterday, citing command responsibility amid allegations that two of his men aided businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in evading arrest last month.

“If there’s one hint that trust and confidence has waned, then I think the head of the agency has no option but to offer himself as the first to go,” Rojas told reporters.

“Even if I am not the one involved, I should be held answerable,” he added. “That’s an honorable thing to do.”

President Aquino has yet to accept the resignation of Rojas, according to presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

“There has been no action yet. I don’t want to speculate or get ahead of the President,” he told a news briefing, adding that he is not aware if the Office of the President has received Rojas’ resignation letter. 

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Rojas did not cite his reason in his resignation letter, but believed it was in response to the President’s statement that there are “rats” and “less than trustworthy” officials in the NBI.

The President on Thursday told Asian journalists that two NBI officials have ties with senators implicated in the P10-billion congressional pork barrel scam, of which Napoles is the alleged operator.

Honorable thing

“When I summoned him to my office, he told me he thinks it’s the most honorable thing to do under the circumstances, where doubts are being cast on the integrity of the NBI as an institution... He became too sensitive,” De Lima said.

“It goes to show he’s very principled and that he has delicadeza because he still tendered his resignation even if I explained to him that he was not among those being alluded to by the President. I think the President still has trust and confidence in him,” she added.

She said she believes the President was only misquoted in reports, which insinuated that the leakage on Napoles’ indictment came from the NBI and that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing charges against at least two officials.

“I’m not aware of charges to be filed against the two NBI officials. I think the President was referring to the filing of charges against senators and not the unnamed NBI officials,” she said.

While there have been speculations that insiders tipped off the camp of Napoles about the filing of the serious illegal detention case and issuance of arrest warrant against her, De Lima said the source has not been identified.

“We don’t have validation on that yet. Even whether the leakage happened at the level of the NBI is not yet clear because it’s possible that the leakage came from here (DOJ) or from the court. I only advised the NBI about the filing of the case and we were expecting arrest warrant so they should monitor the subjects in the case,” she said.

‘Reject resignation’

De Lima said she would “wholeheartedly and firmly” recommend to the President a rejection of Rojas’ resignation.

She said she is saddened by the decision of Rojas, noting, “I don’t want to lose a good man.”

Rojas was named NBI chief upon the recommendation of De Lima. He replaced Magtanggol Gatdula, who left the agency amid allegations of anomalies over an overstaying Japanese woman.

“It’s an issue of institutional integrity so perhaps it’s better that the deputy directors should be the ones to consider tendering resignation,” De Lima said.

She admitted that the NBI has “had its share of scoundrels,” but most NBI personnel are dedicated and support Rojas’ leadership.

Deputies surprised

NBI spokesman Cecilio Zamora Jr. said the agency is both saddened and surprised by the resignation of Rojas, who they describe as a kind leader.

“I was really surprised. I was not even able to finish my glass of water. I feel bad about this,” said one of the deputies who requested anonymity.

NBI deputy director for intelligence Reynaldo Esmeralda said “there is no need to tip off Napoles.”

“The accusation hurts because as far as I know we are doing our job,” he said.

Esmeralda is one of the deputies that led NBI’s 12 tracker teams tasked to arrest the siblings. The other one is deputy director for special investigation service Ruel Lasala.

Two other sources said they did not have any inkling that Rojas will leave his post. Rojas, during the flag ceremony yesterday, even advised his men to “move on” and not let the issues affect them, they said.

“Napoles has already surrendered to them and this is already water under the bridge. Why do they have to drag the whole bureau here now that we are in the middle of the investigation?” a source added.

Deputy director to resign?

Meanwhile, one of the six NBI deputy directors expressed his willingness to also tender his resignation in response to the call of De Lima.

De Lima challenged all NBI deputy directors to also vacate their posts following Rojas’ resignation.

The deputy director, who requested anonymity, said he is ready to comply with the order of the DOJ secretary as soon as he receives formal notice.

“I have no choice,” he said. – With Delon Porcalla