Ex-BFP Chief Faces Graft, Bribery Charges Over P485-M Ambulance Deal

THE Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft and bribery charges before the Sandiganbayan and dismissed former Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Director Jesus P. Fernandez from government service over the procurement of 132 ambulances worth P485.6 million. Mr. Fernandez was charged with two counts each of indirect bribery and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, after the Ombudsman found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction, the anti-graft body said in a statement on Thursday. The case stemmed from the procurement of 132 Type 1 basic life support ambulances. The contract was awarded to Toyota Mabolo, which entered into a joint venture with Autozone Prime Distributors, Inc. Mr. Fernandez, then Bids and Awards Committee chairperson, allegedly received P14.752 million from joint venture representative Rosaverna P. Sangga, who was also charged with two counts of corruption of public officials under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code. “Sangga delivered Ten Million Seven Hundred Fifty-Two Thousand Pesos (Php10,752,000.00) on 21 November 2024, and Four Million Pesos (Php4,000,000.00) on 25 September 2025 to FDir. Fernandez,” the ruling reads. In a separate administrative case arising from the transaction, the Ombudsman found Mr. Fernandez guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and grave misconduct, resulting to dismissal, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from government reemployment. “He is not merely an officer of the BFP. He is the Fire Chief of the agency. He was the BAC Chairman when he received the SOP on 21 November 2024 and the Head of the Procuring Entity when he received the second SOP on 25 September 2025,” the ruling said. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez