2 months ago
36
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
January 13, 2026 | 12:06pm
Members of the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) conduct a send-off deployment on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at Quirino Grandstand, in preparation for the upcoming New Year celebration.
The STAR / Ryan Baldemor
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government recommended the dismissal of 20 senior officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection over alleged corruption, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.
In an interview with DZRH on Tuesday, January 13, Remulla said the allegations include bid-rigging schemes through which the BFP is believed to be collecting more than P15 billion annually.
"Pinaka corrupt 'yan sa lahat ng nasa ilalim ng DILG," Remulla said. (It is the most corrupt agency under the DILG.)
Remulla said the department is also preparing to file complaints against the 20 officials involved, adding that both the dismissals and the filing of cases could be implemented as early as next week.
"Only the president can relieve the fire chief, but nagbigay na ako ng recommendation," he said. (I have already given a recommendation.)
Among those named in the recommendation is the agenc's chief, Jesus Fernandez.
How does the alleged corruption work?
Remulla recounted a December incident in which an alleged close aide of the fire chief supposedly demanded P1.5 million per fire truck as a kickback.
He said the alleged corruption scheme involves BFP inspectors compelling business owners to buy fire safety equipment from preferred suppliers at inflated prices, with threats of withholding permits for noncompliance.
Remulla cited a case in Quezon City in which a building owner was allegedly charged P13 million for fire extinguishers and P70 million for a sprinkler system, which he said were overpriced.
"Kahit hindi pa expired ang fire extinguisher, pinapapalitan pa at sa kanila pa bibilhin," he said. (They require the replacement of fire extinguishers even before expiration and mandate that the new units be purchased from them.)
"Ang pineperwisyo nila 'yung middle class, 'yung mga naghahanap-buhay," Remulla added. (Their actions harm the middle class and people trying to earn a living.)
Remulla said the alleged practices affected about 300,000 businesses in Metro Manila and up to 500,000 small and medium enterprises nationwide.
