Lawyer Melvin Matibag is understood to the general public as an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte by way of the once-ruling PDP occasion.
Now, Matibag has discovered one other residence — within the Marcos administration. As introduced by Malacañang press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Thursday, February 19, the lawyer will head the Nationwide Bureau of Investigation (NBI), an hooked up company of the Division of Justice.
Matibag replaces officer-in-charge Angelito Magno, who was picked by Marcos in October final yr following the controversial resignation of former NBI director and retired decide Jaime Santiago.
As the brand new NBI chief, Matibag will oversee the bureau that’s mandated to probe crimes and different authorized offenses.
The bureau additionally supplies technical help to all prosecuting and regulation enforcement businesses, in addition to different authorities businesses, when requested.
“The NBI assures Director Matibag of its full cooperation and steadfast help. The Bureau stays unwavering in its dedication to ship justice with out concern or favor and to serve the Filipino folks with utmost dedication — no matter who leads the establishment,” the NBI mentioned in an announcement.
Who’s Matibag?
Matibag is understood for his relationship with Duterte. He was as soon as the secretary common of PDP Laban.
He was named by Duterte as his appearing Cupboard secretary in March 2022, or just a few months earlier than the then-president stepped down from the highest put up. He changed Karlo Nograles, who was appointed by Duterte as Civil Service Fee chairperson.
Matibag additionally served as common supervisor of the Manila Worldwide Airport Authority and president, and chief government officer of the Nationwide Transmission Company.
After his stint within the Duterte authorities, Matibag turned to personal regulation observe as solo practitioner. He additionally joined the academe, serving because the dean of Lyceum of Alabang’s School of Legislation.
Matibag obtained his regulation diploma from the Ateneo de Manila College in 1996. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar the next yr.
The brand new NBI director is married to Laguna 1st District Consultant Ann Matibag.
“As you tackle this essential position, I’m crammed with deep delight, not solely in what you’ve completed, however within the values and rules you deliver to public service. This appointment affirms a lifetime of dedication and alerts hopeful, principled management for the long run,” the lawmaker wrote in her Fb web page.
As soon as a PDP stalwart
Matibag’s loyalty to his former occasion confronted the check of time.
When the PDP was in shambles, Matibag sided with former power secretary Alfonso Cusi, the then-PDP vice chairman. This was additionally an indication of loyalty to Duterte given Cusi’s shut ties with the previous president.
Matibag was expelled alongside Cusi from PDP in 2021 for allegedly supporting the 2022 candidacy of then-Davao Metropolis mayor Sara Duterte. It was former senator Manny Pacquiao, then-PDP president, who signed the resolutions expelling the 2 officers.
A month later, the occasion additionally ousted Duterte as occasion chairman. Duterte was changed by then-senator Koko Pimentel.
This growth divided PDP into two: a wing led by Cusi and Matibag, and one other faction led by Pimentel and Pacquiao. The Cusi faction then went to the Fee on Elections to ask the ballot physique to declare the Pimentel wing as an illegitimate PDP occasion.
In the long run, the Supreme Courtroom (SC), in September 2025, dominated that the Cusi faction was the official PDP management and that Cusi and Matibag had been the real PDP leaders. Though their wing had the ultimate chuckle, Matibag was not with the PDP when this occurred.
Matibag severed his ties with the PDP amid the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) scandal of Vice President Duterte in 2023. The previous PDP official aired his sentiments that civilian places of work, just like the Workplace of the Vice President and the Division of Training, shouldn’t be given CIF.
“For the great of the occasion and for the good thing about the occasion, I have to step apart as a result of I can’t be a part of a political occasion with… I’ve separate or completely different opinion from the management,” Matibag mentioned, as quoted by One Information.
Loyal to Marcos?
Is leaving PDP sufficient to show that Matibag is not allied with the Dutertes, particularly amid the rift between the Dutertes and the Marcoses?
There had been buzz going round for some time now that Matibag shifted allegiance to Marcos.
“Nando’n po ‘yong tiwala. Nakitaan po niya si Atty. Melvin Matibag na maaaring pagtiwalaan, maaaring magtrabaho para sa gobyerno. Pero kung ano’ng pinaka-reason, hindi pa po nasasabi sa akin in particulars,” Castro mentioned when requested why Marcos picked Matibag, an official previously related to Duterte.
(The belief is there. He noticed that Legal professional Melvin Matibag might be trusted, that may work within the authorities. However regardless of the deeper cause is, it has but to be divulged to me.)
Among the many earlier indications of Matibag’s change of coronary heart was when he filed a disbarment case towards former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. Matibag filed the case with the SC after Roque allegedly shared a deepfake video displaying Marcos allegedly sniffing a powdery substance in 2024.
“I’m into politics similar to Atty. Harry Roque, however there may be nothing political about this administrative grievance. There is no such thing as a shade to it. It’s only a presentation of information and authorized arguments,” Matibag mentioned as quoted by Inquirer.
One other indication was Matibag’s software to be the subsequent Ombudsman in 2025. The previous PDP official was among the many 17 candidates who sought the put up in the end coveted by Marcos’ justice secretary, Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.
Though aspiring ombdusmen undergo a range course of initiated by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), their fates nonetheless lie with the president. The chief government – on this case Marcos – had the facility to nominate the Ombudsman primarily based on a shortlist supplied by the JBC.
Throughout his JBC software, Matibag was requested how he would deal with instances because the Ombudsman, if the officers going through prices are from PDP. Matibag then mentioned his investigation could be evidence-based and received’t be affected by politics.
Matibag mentioned then that he helps public entry to Statements of Property, Liabilities, and Web Price, and the resumption of way of life checks by the Workplace of the Ombudsman. These are Ombudsman insurance policies that had been halted throughout Duterte’s time.
“At sabi ko nga ang importante, ang susunod na Ombudsman, dapat ang most important job is to realize once more, ma-regain ba sa taong bayan ‘yong belief and confidence sa authorities establishment. Nawala na kasi ‘yong kumpiyansa. So dapat dito tayo, dito ang foundation natin lagi sa accountability and integrity,” Matibag instructed reporters.
(And as I’ve mentioned, the subsequent Ombudsman’s job is to regain the general public’s belief and confidence within the authorities establishment. Individuals have misplaced belief. So our foundation ought to at all times be accountability and integrity.) – Rappler.com
