Melvin Alvarez Matibag is a Filipino lawyer who currently serves as Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) since April 2026.[2][3] A former cabinet secretary of President Rodrigo Duterte, he was previously instrumental in the ouster of Senator Koko Pimentel as chairman of Duterte's PDP-Laban, of which he served as secretary general from 2021 to 2023.
Melvin Matibag | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Matibag in 2026 | |
| 29th Director of the National Bureau of Investigation | |
| Assumed office April 20, 2026 | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Angelito Magno (OIC) |
| Cabinet Secretary of the Philippines | |
Acting | |
| In office March 8, 2022[1] – June 30, 2022 | |
| President | Rodrigo Roa Duterte |
| Preceded by | Karlo Nograles |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| President and CEO of National Transmission Corporation | |
| In office January 2017 – March 9, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Generoso M. Senal (OIC) |
| Succeeded by | Jainal Abidin Y. Bahjin II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melvin Alvarez Matibag |
| Party | Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (until 2023) |
| Spouse | Ann Matibag |
| Education | Ateneo de Manila University (LLB) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Early life and education
editMatibag graduated in Ateneo de Manila University College of Law in 1996, and passed Bar Exam in 1997.[3]
Government career
editBeing a PDP–Laban stalwart, he served as President and CEO of National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) under the Duterte administration, and later as acting Cabinet Secretary in 2022. As president of TransCo, he led the Public Education Network-Communications Infrastructure for Learning (PEN-CIL) project that would address the challenges of Department of Education (DepEd) in ensuring the continuity of learning amid the pandemic and the expected transition to the New Normal by providing Internet connectivity in all public schools, with improving power line infrastructure.[4]
He also served as PDP–Laban's Secretary General until 2023.[3] He also filed a disbarment case against Harry Roque due to the latter's accusation against President Bongbong Marcos of having a video in which Marcos is using illegal drugs.[5]
In April 2026, he was appointed as the new Director of National Bureau of Investigation replacing Angelito Magno who was an OIC. As director, he led the arrest of former journalist Jay Sonza due to allegations of spreading fake news on President Marcos' health status.[6] Matibag also stated that Vice President Sara Duterte attempted to visit Ramil Madriaga, the former's alleged "bagman".[7]
After the Senate changed its leadership in May 11, 2026,[8][9] the NBI led the operation that resulted to failed arrest of Ronald dela Rosa, as International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against dela Rosa.[10][11][12] But the NBI agents who are in the said operations were cited in contempt by the Senate after the surveillance footages were presented at the plenary.[13]
References
edit- ↑ Galvez, Daphne (March 9, 2022). "Duterte names PDP-Laban faction exec as acting Cabinet secretary". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ↑ Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos. "Melvin Matibag takes oath as NBI chief". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Bolledo, Jairo. "From Duterte ally to Marcos appointee: Who is Melvin Matibag, the new NBI chief?". Rappler. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ↑ "TRANSCO teams up with DepEd on high-speed internet for public schools". Department of Finance. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ↑ Delgado, Harlene (February 20, 2026). "Matibag takes oath as new NBI director". ABS-CBN News.
- ↑ Villar, Kate (2026-05-01). "NBI confirms arrest of Jay Sonza over cyber libel case". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
- ↑ Mendoza, John Eric (2026-04-29). "NBI says Sara Duterte tried to visit Madriaga". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
- ↑ Torregoza, Hannah L. (11 May 2026). "Sotto out, Cayetano in: Alan Cayetano is new Senate leader". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ "Bato dela Rosa returns to Senate, claims NBI tried to block him". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Kabagani, Lade Jean; Oliquino, Edjen; Orcullo, Jerod; Ayeng, Raffy; Apacible, Lisa Marie; Villanueva, Anita; Macapagal, Dannah; Villar, Kate (13 May 2026). "ICC unseals, confirms warrant vs Dela Rosa". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Clores, Keith (11 May 2026). "Senate under lockdown after NBI–Dela Rosa altercation". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Ager, Maila (11 May 2026). "Sen. Dela Rosa placed under Senate protective custody". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ Clores, Keith (11 May 2026). "Senate cites NBI agents in contempt over Dela Rosa arrest attempt". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 11 May 2026.