De Lima installs NBI OIC

MANILA, Philippines - Assistant Director Medardo de Lemos has been named officer-in-charge of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

De Lemos is next in rank to resigned NBI director Nonnatus Rojas.

In Department Order No. 712 released yesterday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said De Lemos would serve as OIC until further orders or until President Aquino has named a new NBI director.

De Lemos will be in charge of day-to-day operations under De Lima’s supervision, in addition to his existing duties and responsibilities as assistant director, she added.

De Lemos’ designation shall not include the power to act on matters involving policy determination, approval of long term contracts and transactions, appointments or dismissal of personnel and other matters that go beyond acts of mere supervision or administration, De Lima said.

Deputy Director for Intelligence Reynaldo Esmeralda believes De Lemos is an “excellent choice.”

“(The appointment) highlights the professionalism and career development of people who work from the ranks,” he said.

“He will have my full support and cooperation towards better public service to our countrymen.”