The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has taken decisive legal action by filing both administrative and criminal charges against Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Fire Director Jesus Fernandez. The charges stem from allegations that Fernandez accepted kickbacks exceeding P14 million in connection with a controversial ambulance procurement project from 2024.
Details of the Alleged Corruption Scheme
During a press conference held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that formal complaints have been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman. The charges include violations of Republic Act 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, along with accusations of malversation of public funds, direct bribery, and conspiracy.
Secretary Remulla revealed that the case centers on the procurement of 132 basic life support ambulances initiated by the BFP in September 2024. At that time, Fernandez served as the chairperson of the Bids and Awards Committee, a position that placed him at the center of the procurement process.
The Procurement Process and Alleged Manipulation
According to the DILG investigation, the BFP awarded the ambulance contract to Rosa Verna Sangga of AutoZone Prime Distributors Inc. through what authorities describe as a pre-arranged legal front. Sangga, who was allegedly predetermined as the supplier, entered into a joint venture with an automotive company after convincing the firm to authorize her to bid on its behalf.
The financial transactions that followed form the core of the corruption allegations. Sangga reportedly delivered the first payout of P10.752 million to Fernandez in November 2024, followed by a second payment of P4 million in September 2025, bringing the total alleged kickbacks to over P14 million.
Ongoing Investigation and Preventive Measures
In addition to filing charges, the DILG has formally requested the Office of the Ombudsman to place Fernandez under preventive suspension pending further investigation. This move aims to prevent any potential interference with the ongoing probe into what Secretary Remulla characterized as a systematic environment of corruption within the BFP.
"This is only part one," Remulla stated emphatically during the press conference. "We will release more information showing the systematic environment of corruption within the BFP." The Secretary expressed particular frustration with Fernandez's continued presence at official functions, noting "He still attends events, for example he was at the Fire Prevention Month celebration. I didn't attend because I might have punched him."
Broader Implications for Government Procurement
The case represents a significant development in the government's anti-corruption efforts, particularly concerning procurement processes within key agencies. The ambulance procurement project, valued at millions of pesos, highlights vulnerabilities in the bidding system that the DILG now seeks to address through both legal action and systemic reforms.
As the Office of the Ombudsman reviews the charges, the case against Fernandez and Sangga will likely set important precedents for how similar allegations are handled in the future. The DILG's aggressive stance signals a renewed commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels of government, with Secretary Remulla promising that more revelations about systematic corruption within the BFP will follow as the investigation continues.
