Jonvic tags fire chief in P14.75 million bribe scheme

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March 6, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Fire Protection chief Jesus Fernandez allegedly received P14.75 million in bribe money for the procurement of 132 type 1 basic life support ambulances when he headed the BFP’s bids and awards committee (BAC).

The bribery scheme was the basis of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in filing cases of graft, direct bribery, malversation of public funds and conspiracy before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

“This culture of corruption has to stop. The institution, the institutionalization of corruption must come to an end. I believe it has to start from the top,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

Remulla identified Fernandez’s co-respondent in the cases as Rosaverna Sangga, the supplier who allegedly proposed a deceptive joint venture with an automotive company to participate in the procurement process.

The DILG has asked the ombudsman to order the preventive suspension of Fernandez.

Two senior BFP officials who are candidates to replace Fernandez are undergoing an extensive background investigation, Remulla said.

He noted that Fernandez is still reporting for work and even attended the kick-off ceremony for Fire Prevention Month.

“Hindi na ako nag-attend, baka masuntok ko,” Remulla said. “Kapal ng mukha, sinabihan ko na siya, hayup ka, nagpapakita pa rin sa akin.”

The charges against Fernandez stemmed from a DILG probe that uncovered a pattern of alleged irregularities in the procurement process, which was supposed to strengthen the BFP’s emergency medical response capability.

Fernandez and the supplier allegedly met on two occasions in different restaurants in Quezon City.

The first meeting occurred in November 2024 wherein Fernandez allegedly received a suitcase and a bag, which contained P6 million and P4.75 million, respectively.

Fernandez met the same supplier in September 2025 and allegedly received luggage containing P4 million.

During his stint as BAC chairman, Fernandez allegedly got over P14 million in “SOP” or kickbacks in exchange for a joint venture with an automotive company solely to qualify for bidding requirements, an arrangement which investigators believe served as a legal front to secure control of the project.

Remulla said they have a strong case against Fernandez as the supplier’s representative detailed how the kickback payments were computed and delivered.

A manager of the automotive company also described how the joint venture arrangement was used in securing the contract.

The supplier’s representative even submitted photographs of the millions of pesos in cash, which Fernandez allegedly received.

Fernandez owns expensive houses with swimming pools in Laguna and Cavite, according to Remulla.