BFP chief to be charged, sacked amid 'bid-rigging,' graft — DILG's Remulla

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Fire Director Jesus Fernandez and other officials have been recommended to be replaced and will face legal action amid alleged bid-rigging and graft practices, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Remulla said the process of replacing Fernandez at the BFP helm was already underway.

"I will be filing charges against the chief of the BFP, si Jesus Fernandez, also to his deputies, also to the Bids and Awards Committee," Remulla said.

He added, "I will recommend for his replacement. Si [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] ang siyang appointing authority, hindi ako. Yes, nahiling ko na," he added.

(I will recommend for his replacement. President Marcos is the appointing authority, not me. Yes, I have already requested it.)

GMA News Online has sought comment from the BFP about the matter, but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

The BFP is an agency under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which is headed by Remulla.

He said some 1,000 BFP personnel nationwide, including about 40 current and former officials, will be facing charges for bid-rigging and graft in connection with the procurement of fire extinguishers and trucks.

"[The fire extinguisher scheme] is a P15-billion-a-year racket ng BFP. Kawawa naman ang mga negosyante natin. Kinukuha ito sa bulsa ng mga negosyante. Kaya ito, kailangan matigil na," Remulla said.

(The fire extinguisher scheme is a P15-billion-a-year racket by the BFP. Our poor businessmen. It is being taken from the pockets of businessmen. That is why this needs to be stopped.)

According to Remulla, he was offered a bribe worth P1.5 million per fire truck.

"Ang in-offer sa akin was P1.5 million per truck. Ang binibili niyan is parang 100 plus to 200 trucks a year. So that's P300 million easy for 2025 kung tinanggap ko 'yun," Remulla said.

(The offer I received was P1.5 million per truck. They are buying like 100 plus to 200 trucks a year. So that's P300 million easy for 2025 if I accept it.)

"May birthday party sa Cavite, pumunta yung Fire Chief natin. Naiwan 'yung assistant niya. Kinausap 'yung kanang kamay ko tapos doon ginawa 'yung suhol. 'Paki sabi kay Sec. may P1.5 million siya dito,'" he added.

(There was a birthday party in Cavite. Our Fire Chief came. His assistant was left behind. He talked to my right hand and then the bribe was made there. Please tell the Sec. he has P1.5 million here.)

According to Remulla, he is looking at three candidates to replace Fernandez as BFP chief. — VDV, GMA Integrated News