Dating BFP chief, kinasuhan sa Sandiganbayan sa ₱485.6-M ambulance procurement

Merry Ann Bastasa September 4, 2026 2 minutes read

Pormal nang kinasuhan ng Office of the Ombudsman sa Sandiganbayan ang dating Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Fire Director Jesus Fernandez at isang pribadong indibidwal kaugnay ng kontrobersyal na procurement ng 132 ambulansya na nagkakahalaga ng ₱485.6 million na ibinunyag ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Sinampahan si Fernandez ng dalawang counts ng Indirect Bribery at dalawang counts ng paglabag sa Section 3(b) ng Republic Act No. 3019 o Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Ayon sa Ombudsman, may sapat na Prima Facie evidence para kasuhan si Fernandez, na noo’y chairperson ng Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), at sinasabing tumanggap ng kabuuang ₱14.752 milyon mula kay Rosaverna Sangga, kinatawan ng joint venture ng Toyota Mabolo at Autozone Prime Distributors Inc., na nakakuha ng kontrata para sa proyekto.

Sinampahan din si Sangga ng dalawang counts ng Corruption of Public Officials sa ilalim ng Article 212 ng Revised Penal Code.

Kaugnay nito, tuluyan ding dinismiss ng Ombudsman si Fernandez kaugnay sa administrative case na Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service at Grave Misconduct.

“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,” nakasaad sa ruling.