THE Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA) is so honored and proud to have had the very amiable and highly-respected director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Santiago as its solo guest for the September edition of its monthly news forum ‘MACHRA Balitaan’.
It was the first news forum he had attended following his appointment months ago, where he gamely entertained even the most difficult questions for nearly two hours.
For many years since the late Mayor Fred Lim headed the NBI as its director, the agency had never been this busy, colorful, alive and super active. In short, Santiago once again brought the NBI back on the map of law enforcement.
Indeed, having the likes of Santiago, a bemedalled and highly-decorated official from the ‘Manila’s Finest’ -then Western Police District and now the Manila Police District- sitting at the helm of the country’s top investigation agency, is such a big boost to the image of the bureau.
Being known for his feats as a police officer -well, his life was turned into a movie- especially during his rein as head of the then WPD’s special weapons and tactics team (SWAT), Santiago, who took the bar while serving as a cop, later on, rose to become a prosecutor and a judge, subsequently becoming an Executive Judge.
Thus, the wisdom and experiences he gained from the posts he effectively held are more than enough assurance that he can and will lead the NBI to greatness.
Under his administration, employees are given the chance to be the best versions of themselves. Skills and talents are encouraged, honed and put in areas where they should really be.
In his term, Santiago said he makes sure that there is no ‘bata-bata’ or ‘insider’ first system. Everybody gets fair treatment and a chance to be in the position fit for their qualifications.
In fact, during the forum, Santiago also announced that the bureau is now opening its doors to those who are neither lawyers nor certified public accountants. Board degree holders are now being accepted to help in the investigation functions of the NBI, adding that even information technology or IT experts are needed.
Santiago is also very supportive of his people and makes sure that their hard work is duly appreciated or acknowledged.
At the end of the forum, I asked about the kind of legacy he intends to leave with the NBI when the time comes that he has to leave it -which hopefully, would be many, many years from now because we need people like him in government.
His answer gained the wild cheers and applause of all the media members covering the said forum.
Santiago’s response went like this—“Alam ny’o, sa pamilya ko, sa mga kababayan natin, sa mga kaibigan ko, kayo sa media, kilala n’yo na si SPO4 Jimmy Santiago. Ang gusto kong maiwan na legacy ay ito talaga— merong isang pulis na naging piskal, naging MTC judge, naging RTC judge, naging NBI direktor, hindi corrupt.”
Indeed, his children are already accomplished and can even support him financially and the retirement benefits he expects are more than enough for someone like him who has no vices except for occasional smoking.
By the way, for those who do not know how to address him the way he likes, Santiago said he prefers to be called ‘DJ” which stands for Director-Judge. So, there!!!
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