Ombudsman files extortion, graft raps against BFP official

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of charges against Senior Fire Officer II Carlos Francisco of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for allegedly extoring money from a company that needed a Fire Safety Inspection Certification (FSIC).

In a statement, the Ombudsman narrated that the company, Carne Fresca, Inc. (CFI), had applied for a business permit that required an FSIC from the BFP's San Lazaro, Manila station.

When Francisco inspected the establishment on June 5, 2014, the fire officer ordered CFI to purchase six units of fire extinguishers, three units of illuminated exit signs, and the payment of a processing fee.

He also required CFI to purchase the extinguishers and signs from his preferred supplier, NEMRAC Trading, which sells an expensive fire extinguisher compared to its competition.

NEMRAC Trading "sells a unit of fire extinguisher at P6,500, as compared to those sold by Mark Vent Enterprises at only P4,500 per unit," said the Ombudsman.

"Upon learning that the fire extinguishers and illuminated exit signs were bought from Mark Vent, Francisco was quoted as saying 'Bakit dyan ka kumuha eh may kumisyon ako kay NEMRAC? 'Di pwede 'yan. Kung gusto mo, ikaw na bahala sa kumisyon ko para wala na tayong problema,' asking for P10,000 in exchange," the Ombudsman added.

CFI was allegedly able to haggle for a lower price/commission of P4,000 in exchange for the issuance of the FSIC.

The Ombudsman said Francisco faces charges for extortion and violation of Section 3(b) of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Section 3(b) involves, "directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, ,for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the government and any other party, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law."

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Francisco in a September 26, 2014 entrapment operation, carried out after CFI filed a complaint.

Francisco had also been preventively suspended for six months without pay, pending administrative proceedings for the charge of grave misconduct. — Amanda Fernandez/DVM, GMA News