Resigned National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Jaime Santiago on Saturday, September 6, welcomed the proposed Senate inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the agency, stating, “wala po kaming pangamba.”

In an exclusive interview for DZRH Special on Saturday (SOS), Santiago said he had received the order and expressed support for Senate Resolution No. 81, which Senator Imee Marcos filed on August 19. The resolution directs the Senate committee to probe reports of corruption within the agency.

Looking closely at where the alleged irregularities stemmed from, Santiago stated the presidential sister’s formal inquiry highlights the supposed missing funds and vehicles, which were intercepted during an elite POGO operation.

“Binibenta daw di umano, ginagamit daw di umano ng mga NBI agents [ang mga sasakyan]. So, noong tanungin ako, sabi ko that is welcome development. Malinis naman [ang aming operasyon], masasagot natin 'yan ng maayos," Santiago said.

Moreover, Santiago clarified that if the NBI agents confiscated money from the operation, it would then be turned over to the court. However, if it is not immediately turned over to the court, the funds would be properly documented, inventoried, and received.

Senator Marcos also alleged that certain NBI agents were driving and even selling confiscated vehicles.

“Madali po yan eh. Sinasabi, binibenta raw, binibili ng mga officer namin [ang mga sasakyan]. You can check with the LTO [Land Transportation Office]. Diba, pagbibili tayo ng kotse, titingnan natin kanino ba nanggaling yan, history ng kotse. Makikita po ‘yun,” Santiago stated.

“Kaya wala po kaming pangamba. Hindi po ako natatakot na mapapaliwanag po namin sa taumbayan ng maayos," he added.

When asked if this was part of the “organized efforts” to taint his name and to demoralize the members of the NBI, Santiago responded, "Nakikita ko po ganoon. Nakikita ko po 'yung mga mayroong interest ay pinipilit ng ma-pin down ako but then hindi nila alam na ang nasisira ay ang bureau [NBI]. Iisipin na lang ng mga taumbayan, ganyan pala sa NBI.”

Santiago filed his “irrevocable resignation” on August 15, citing the detractors and those who have a “sinister interest” in his position who continuously blemish his reputation.

“To my mind, lies, if repeated overtime, will give a semblance of truth. “I cannot allow this, seemingly orchestrated move to blacken my reputation which I molded through the years,” he wrote.

The resigned NBI chief did not elaborate on the individuals seeking to blemish his reputation at the time.