Former PDP-Laban Secretary General Atty. Melvin Matibag has formally taken office as the new Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The turnover ceremony was held at the bureau’s headquarters in Pasay City, where outgoing Director Atty. Lito Magno officially handed over the position to Matibag, who was appointed by President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr.

In his message, Magno expressed full support for Matibag as he assumes the bureau’s leadership and voiced confidence that the new director will continue the initiatives he started.

“Handa po akong makinig kung merong pagpuna, meron kayong mga suggestion na ibibigay sa akin, ganun po ‘yong ating pagtatrabaho,” Matibag said.

Matibag, for his part, thanked the agency’s employees for their warm welcome and called for their assistance in fulfilling his duties. He emphasized that his office will remain open to feedback and suggestions to improve operations.

The new director also pledged to prioritize the promotion of NBI personnel based on merit and performance. He urged the public to stop using his name for personal or political purposes.

“This is not about me, ito po ay about sa mandato ng National Bureau of Investigation, ‘yon po ang ating susundan.”

Earlier, Matibag told DZRH that he resigned from PDP-Laban, formerly led by ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, citing differences in principles.