05/06/2026
๐๐ง๐ง๐ฌ. ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐, ๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: โ๐ช๐โ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ , ๐ช๐โ๐ฅ๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ช๐กโ
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag reflected on his first 100 days as NBI chief, describing them not merely as a transition but as โa reaffirmation of our commitment to strengthen the NBIโnot only operationally but also institutionally.โ
โOur efforts are not centered on personalities but on strengthening systems, accountability, professionalism, and public trust. We are sustaining the bureau's momentum in investigations and crime-fighting. We are not backing down,โ he declared after Monday's flag-raising ceremony.
Buoyed by the NBIโs recent successes in apprehending high-profile suspects and targeting cybercriminals and organized syndicates, Matibag expressed gratitude to NBI agents and personnel for their commitment and sacrifices. โTo the men and women of the National Bureau of Investigation, may we continue to build an institution worthy of the Filipino people's confidence,โ he said, acknowledging the steadfast support of the Bureauโs partners and stakeholders as well.
๐ ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ก๐๐โ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
The NBI chiefโs first 100 days were marked by a renewed push for modernization, institutional alignment, and ongoing transformation within the bureau. He noted that the summary of accomplishments reflects an ongoing journeyโone grounded in attentive listening, reform, and public service.
โTransformation does not happen overnight. Real progress is built through the daily dedication of our investigators, agents, analysts, forensic personnel, administrative staff, and field operatives, who continue to serve with integrity despite many challenges,โ Matibag explained.
Matibag anticipates that โthe road ahead will demand even greater resolve as we confront evolving threats, such as cybercrime, corruption, organized crime, and other emerging challenges. As we move beyond these first one hundred days, may we continue to lead with integrity, act with professionalism, and serve with humility โ always guided not by recognition but by duty and purpose.โ
๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐๐ต๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
Since Matibag assumed the helm of the NBI on Feb. 23, 2026, the NBI has successfully investigated and filed 356 cases, including drug-related offenses (47), intellectual property violations (43), estafa (17), illegal gambling (11), medical practice violations (9), cybercrime (10), online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (๐, Food and Drug Administration Act violations, human trafficking (5), and other cases (199).
Under Matibagโs leadership, the Bureau became a pillar of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in implementing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.โs directive to pursue high-ranking government officials and their accomplices who allegedly benefited from the anomalous flood-control projects.
Among all law enforcement agencies, the NBI is the only one to have filed cases with the DOJ regarding the flood-control scandal, following a thorough fact-finding investigation and case buildup.
As of April 30, the NBI had filed 18 cases with the DOJ related to the flood-control scandal. Because of the airtight cases prepared by the Bureau, three (3) of these cases proceeded to trial at the Sandiganbayan; three (3) are with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court; eight (๐ were endorsed by the DOJ to the Office of the Ombudsman; and four (4) remain with the DOJ for preliminary investigation. These cases pertain to flood-control projects in Bulacan, Cebu, Oriental Mindoro and other provinces.
Among the prominent figures charged are Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former Sen. Ramon โBongโ Revilla Jr., former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Manuel Bonoan, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez, Arjay Domasig, and Jaypee Mendoza. DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH-NCR Regional Dir. Gerard Opulencia and SYMS contractor Sally Santos were also recommended for prosecution by the NBI but have since been accepted into the governmentโs Witness Protection Program.
Fulfilling its role as a law enforcement body, the NBI attempted to serve the International Criminal Court warrant for crimes against humanity on Sen. Ronald โBatoโ Dela Rosa on May 11 at the Senate, but the upper chamber quickly placed the fugitive senator under its protective custody. He escaped on May 14 and is now the subject of a manhunt by combined elements of the NBI and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The NBI also apprehended Roberto Ma. Franco Cruz Mabanta and his alleged accomplices on robbery-extortion charges filed by former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Mabanta is the founder of Peanut Gallery Media Inc., a digital media company that publishes political commentary and local news.
In combating human trafficking, the NBI filed charges with the Pasig City Prosecutorโs Office on April 24 against Julie Defensor, the wife of former Rep. Mike Defensor; their son, Miguel; and 24 individuals. The Defensors are registered owners of the establishment raided by the NBI, where sexual exploitation was allegedly committed against 54 women victims.
To contain the spread of fake news, the Bureau filed charges against vlogger Jeffrey Luces Celiz and former broadcaster Jay Sonza for unlawful publication and cyberlibel, alleging that they spread a fabricated medical record purportedly belonging to President Marcos.