MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to file graft and bid-rigging charges next week against Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officials and private suppliers over what Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla described as a deeply entrenched corruption scheme that has victimized small and medium enterprises nationwide.
Remulla said the complaints will initially target personnel assigned in Silang, Cavite, but warned the investigation could expand across the country, with close to 1,000 BFP personnel potentially facing charges.
The DILG chief condemned what he called a systematic racket involving fire inspectors and suppliers who allegedly coordinate to pressure business owners into buying fire safety equipment even before official inspections are conducted.
“Ninety-nine percent may complaint pa rin. Kasi ang nangyayari ngayon, nauuna ang nagbebenta ng fire extinguisher. Dadating sa loob ng lugar, sasabihin nila, parating na fire inspector niyo. Bumili na kayo sa akin. Ako na bahala papasa na kayo kaagad,” Remulla said.
According to him, suppliers allegedly approach establishments ahead of scheduled inspections, effectively reversing the regulatory process and creating a pay-to-pass system.
To curb the practice, the DILG has rolled out body cameras for fire inspectors nationwide and ordered them to properly introduce themselves during inspections. Inspectors have also been explicitly prohibited from selling fire safety equipment or facilitating sprinkler system contracts.
Despite these reforms, complaints persist.
To illustrate the alleged scheme, Remulla cited the case of his nephew, who was renewing a business permit in Silang, Cavite. Fire inspection fees were reportedly paid in January 2025, but no inspection took place throughout the year. When renewal came in January 2026, the business owner was allegedly required to show proof of fire extinguisher refills before a certificate could be issued.
“On February 3, they called Mr. Posa and told him that the fire extinguisher is still being non-compliant as it is one 10-pound fire extinguisher instead of three 3-pound fire extinguishers. To date, dahil BFP has not inspected Mr. Posa’s business, [the supplier] has not reached out to Mr. Posa to discuss. So nakikita niyo ‘yung pattern nila?” Remulla said.
The DILG is now tracing inspectors and suppliers allegedly involved in the scheme.
“‘Yung back track ng DILG, lahat ‘pag na-identify na namin ang fire inspectors at lahat ng bilihan ng fire extinguisher, kakasuhan na rin namin,” he said.
Remulla stressed that small and medium enterprises are the primary victims of the alleged irregularities.
“Kawawa naman ang mga negosyante natin; 99 percent of the employers of the Philippines are small and medium scale businesses. One hundred percent of them are victims of the BFP. Kailangan matigil ito.”
Beyond inspection-related complaints, the DILG is also preparing to file graft and bid-rigging cases against members of the BFP’s Bids and Awards Committee over transactions from 2015 to 2025. Around 40 officials — including BFP chief Director Jesus Fernandez — may be named in complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman and could face preventive suspension.
“Si President Marcos ang appointing authority hindi ako, but I will be recommending for his replacement already. Tatlo ang pinagpipilian namin and bina-background check pa namin lahat kasi again we need reforms eh,” Remulla said.
He assured the public that fire inspection services will continue even if personnel are relieved, with replacement staff to be deployed to ensure uninterrupted operations.
“Dito talaga sa BFP habang kaya kang isahan, iisahan ka. Pero hindi nila ako kayang isahan habambuhay. Mahuhuli’t mahuhuli ko rin ‘yung mga ‘yan,” he stressed./PN
