Nonnatus Rojas resigned as director of the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation, amid the agency’s investigation of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and elected officials allegedly involved in a billion-peso corruption scheme.
Rojas didn’t give a specific reason for his investigation, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters, according to the Sun-Star. But it could be related to President Benigno Aquino III’s announcement that the two bureau officials that allegedly tipped off Napoles about the arrest warrant issued for her before it was issued will have charges filed against them.
De Lima said that she will recommend the president reject the resignation, though, because she still trusts Rojas.
“It goes to show that he (Rojas) is very principled,” reported the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Before de Lima spoke to the press, Rojas himself held a brief press conference inside his office on Monday at noon, announcing his resignation and taking to questions from reporters. Rojas became director of the bureau on July 25, 2012 after serving as officer-in-charge previously. Rojas replaced Magtanggol Gatdula after the latter was accused of extorting money from a Japanese woman, according to the Sun-Star.
The alleged tip-off by bureau agents made finding Napoles difficult after a warrant was issued for her arrest several weeks ago. She is accused of working with several elected officials to embezzle 10 billion Philippine pesos for their own gain. She recently surrendered to President Aquino, saying she feared for her life.
Aquino told the Daily Inquirer that the bureau has been building a case against Napoles and other allegedly involved in the scheme, but because the bureau is severely undermanned, both Rojas and de Lima have to sometimes rely on “less trustworthy” agents. The team building the case, though, is “a very trusted team.”
