Ex-BFP chief pleads not guilty to graft

MANILA, Philippines — Former Bureau of Fire Protection chief Jesus Fernandez yesterday pleaded not guilty in one of the two graft cases filed against him in connection with the BFP’s procurement of 132 ambulances worth P485 million.

Fernandez was arraigned before the anti-graft court’s Second Division.

Ombudsman prosecutors have accused Fernandez of receiving P14.7 million in bribes over the procurement of the ambulances in 2025.

He allegedly received the money from Rosaverna Palairon Sangga, representative for the joint venture handling the contract.

The money was allegedly delivered to Fernandez on two occasions: P10.7 million on Nov. 21, 2024 and P4 million on Sept. 25, 2025.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed two counts of indirect bribery and two counts of violation of Section 3(b) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Fernandez.

The pre-trial conference is set on Sept. 29.