SEN. Bong Revilla on Saturday commended the appointment of retired judge Jaime Santiago as director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

"Criminals should hide now because Santiago will run after them. I can vouch for him," Revilla said of his long-time friend.

Santiago served as presiding judge of Manila and Tagaytay regional trial courts and as judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court.

During his tenure, he successfully handled several high-profile cases, demonstrating his legal acumen and commitment to justice.

He had a stint as an assistant city prosecutor under the Department of Justice. A former policeman, Santiago was a member of the special weapons and tactics team of the Western Police District.

His exploits as a marksman feared by criminals were made into a movie titled "SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter," which starred Revilla.

"He is a perfect choice for the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.). He is the man for the job. I am confident that the NBI is in good hands and will deliver an excellent job suppressing criminality," the senator said.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) on Saturday expressed its support for Santiago.

"The FFW hopes that Judge Santiago will take the initiative to instill a culture of protection and respect for trade union and human rights among his subordinates throughout the ranks of the National Bureau of Investigation nationwide," said its president, Sonny Matula.

"Judge Santiago's extensive background and experience in the legal field, combined with his dedication and expertise, make him an excellent choice to head the NBI," he added.