The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal from public service of ousted Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Jesus Fernandez following an investigation into the suspected irregular acquisition of emergency ambulances valued at ₱485 million.
Alongside the dismissal, anti-graft investigators determined that sufficient evidence exists to prosecute Fernandez and a private partner on two counts each of graft and indirect bribery.
The legal proceedings originated from a formal complaint submitted by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Remulla previously exposed systematic corruption within the fire bureau, focusing on questionable establishment inspections alongside compromised procurement processes for ambulances and firefighting equipment. The Interior Secretary further asserted that Fernandez sought to bribe him via an intermediary who promised ₱1.5 million for every fire engine purchased by the agency.
According to the Ombudsman, investigators established prima facie evidence “with reasonable certainty of conviction” against Fernandez regarding the purchase of 132 Type 1 Basic Life Support ambulance units.
Case records show the supply contract went to Toyota Mabolo, which executed a joint venture agreement with Autozone Prime Distributors, Inc. to secure the project. The joint venture designated Rosaverna Sangga, who also goes by Rosaverna Palairon Sangga, as its official representative.
State investigators alleged that Fernandez received ₱14.752 million in kickbacks from Sangga during his tenure heading the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
”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. (Fire Director) Fernandez,” the ruling stated.
Sangga faces two counts of Corruption of Public Officials under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code.
In the administrative ruling tied to the deal, Fernandez was found liable for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
”This carries the penalty of dismissal from the service, including cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from reemployment in government service,” the Ombudsman statement read.
The Ombudsman emphasized that accepting money compromised Fernandez’s official duties as fire chief and BAC chairman.
”Receiving any gift, compensation, promise, or consideration from any individual in relation to his position gives the appearance of impropriety, which does not only bring doubt to his credibility but significantly tarnishes the credibility of the agency that he leads, in this case, especially in the process of procurement,” the Ombudsman said.