By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The National Bureau of Investigation in Bacolod (NBI-Bacolod), yesterday, said they will focus on investigating alleged corruption in government after President Rodrigo Duterte suspended their role in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Newly-designated NBI-Bacolod head, Atty. Reinor Baldovino, said the agency had previously conducted probes on government corruption.
Baldovino, a former executive officer for the NBI in Tarlac and served the agency for 26 years, admitted the new focus will mean the public can file corruption cases against government officials.
Aside from their new directive, Baldovino explained the NBI-Bacolod office currently needs a physical expansion and has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its implementation.
He also denied his assignment to Bacolod was because of “perceived inefficiency” of his predecessor, Atty. Renato Garbo.
“There is no backlog of cases in both our front line service of issuing clearances as well as our investigation function,” Baldovino said. “This is just part of the agency’s regular reorganization and reshuffling.”
Baldovino is also scheduled to meet with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. to discuss what the governor expects from him as the new local NBI head./WDJ