MANILA — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the filing of complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against 45 current and former Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officials over alleged irregularities in multi-year firetruck procurement deals that reportedly saw unit prices soar to nearly P15 million.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the cases cover transactions from 2018 to 2024, implicating top-ranking officials, procurement committees, and private suppliers in what authorities described as a systemic scheme that undermined transparency and competition.
Among those named are former BFP chiefs Leonardo Bañago and Louie Puracan, suspended Fire Director Jesus Fernandez, along with members of key procurement-related committees. Two private suppliers and other individuals were also included in the complaint.
“Ngayong araw pinuputol na natin ang isang malawakang sistema ng panlalamang sa Bureau of Fire Protection,” Remulla said during a press briefing.
Investigators alleged that bidding requirements were deliberately structured to favor certain suppliers, effectively shutting out fair competition and distorting the procurement process.
The complaint further flagged a dramatic spike in the cost of standard 1,000-gallon fire trucks — from P5.975 million in 2014 to nearly P15 million in 2024 — without sufficient market analysis or justification.
Authorities cited multiple deficiencies, including missing documents, lack of proper deliberations, weak oversight, and ineffective pre-bid procedures, raising serious concerns about governance and accountability within the agency.
In a related development, the Bureau of Customs reportedly flagged the suppliers involved for undervaluing import declarations by more than 30 percent and failing to submit required financial records during audits.
The respondents may face both administrative and criminal charges, including grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the service, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Hindi dapat nalalagay sa alanganin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan dahil sa iregularidad. Every procurement must be aboveboard, transparent, and anchored on the public interest,” Remulla said.
Following the controversy, Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu has been designated as officer-in-charge of the BFP after Fernandez’s removal.
Remulla added that the selection process for a new BFP chief is underway, with several candidates already undergoing evaluation.
“We’ve interviewed three candidates so far, and we have four more lined up,” he said./PN
