Palace names NBI officer in charge

A ranking officer of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been named as its temporary head upon the retirement of Director Dante Gierran, according to Malacañang. Eric Distor, former assistant director for intelligence service and head of the internal affairs service, was appointed officer in charge of the NBI, taking over Gierran’s duties, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told a press briefing on Wednesday. Gierran left the service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. According to Panelo, Distor’s appointment came into effect on Feb. 23 but only “until a replacement is approved or until otherwise decided by the Office of the Executive Secretary.” Under the NBI modernization law, no person shall be appointed NBI director unless they have engaged in the practice of law for at least 15 years. —DJ Yap