By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday said 45 current and former Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officials will face complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged anomalous firetruck procurement from 2018 to 2024.
Those named include former BFP chiefs Leonardo Bañago and Louie Puracan, suspended Fire Director Jesus Fernandez, and members of the Bids and Awards Committee, Technical Working Group, and Technical Specifications Committee.
Two private suppliers, along with other individuals, were also implicated.
“Ngayong araw pinuputol na natin ang isang malawakang sistema ng panlalamang sa (Today we are cutting off the widespread system of corruption in the) Bureau of Fire Protection,” Remulla said in a press briefing announcing the filing of a complaint.
He added that the move underscores the government’s push for accountability in public safety programs and follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify anti-corruption efforts, especially in high-value procurements.
The complaint accused the officials of tailoring technical specifications to favor two suppliers, limiting competition.
It also cited a sharp rise in the cost of 1,000-gallon firetrucks — from PHP5.975 million in 2014 to nearly PHP15 million in 2024 — without documented market studies or justification.
Among the alleged procurement lapses mentioned in the complaint were a lack of proper deliberations and records, failure of oversight bodies to review specifications independently, and ineffective pre-bid conferences.
The Bureau of Customs has also flagged the respondent-suppliers for undervaluing import declarations by over 30 percent and failing to submit key financial documents during audits.
Respondents face administrative and criminal charges, including grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the service, and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Hindi dapat nalalagay sa alanganin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan dahil sa iregularidad (The lives of the people should not be jeopardized due to irregularities). Every procurement must be aboveboard, transparent, and anchored on the public interest,” Remulla said as he reaffirmed efforts to strengthen internal controls and safeguards across attached agencies of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Fire Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu has been designated officer-in-charge of the BFP following the removal of Fernandez.
Remulla said a panel has begun interviewing candidates for the next BFP chief.
“We’ve interviewed three candidates so far, and we have four more lined up,” he said. (PNA)
