The director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines, Jaime Santiago, recently resigned suddenly, which seemed unexpected, but several political figures revealed that it was the result of intense internal power struggles, the exclusion of career officials, and a lack of support from superiors.
According to Philippine media, political analyst Lito Banayo and former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, in an interview with the Villajoyosa News Channel, pointed out that despite Santiago's achievements in combating Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) and successfully extraditing former congressman Arnulfo Teves, he still could not withstand the undercurrents and political pressures within the bureau, ultimately leading to his resignation.
Banayo revealed that Santiago had long been tired of the "conspiracies and power tactics" within the NBI. Particularly during a raid against POGO, he discovered possible misconduct by the task force and decisively disbanded the related department. Although this move was initially intimidating, it triggered a strong backlash within the bureau, exacerbating conflicts.
Additionally, the "xenophobic culture" within the Philippine bureaucratic system also posed obstacles. Many career officials resented outsiders holding high positions, and Santiago, a former police officer, was no exception. Lacierda added that during a raid in Bulacan province, due to a discrepancy between the address on the search warrant and the actual location, a "serious procedural error" occurred, for which the director had to take command responsibility, damaging his image.
Lacierda bluntly stated that although Santiago was serious and responsible, the lack of explicit support from higher authorities like the Department of Justice left him isolated and unsupported in his efforts to reform the bureau. "If your superiors support you, you can persevere even in complex situations; without support, even the greatest odds are in vain."
Analysts believe that this incident highlights deep-seated issues in the Philippine law enforcement system: anti-corruption and cleansing actions often touch vested interests, while institutional bureaucratic barriers and a culture of internal strife make it difficult for reformers to make progress. Santiago's resignation is not only a personal choice but also reflects the systemic dilemmas of Philippine law enforcement agencies.