Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday recommended the removal and prosecution of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Director General Jesus Fernandez and 39 other officials over an alleged multi-billion-peso kickback scheme involving the procurement and forced sale of fire extinguishers.

Speaking at a press conference in Quezon City, Remulla said the DILG is finalizing its case buildup and is preparing to file charges as early as next week against members of the BFP’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) from 2014 to 2025 for alleged bid rigging and graft.

“Ready na kami for filing next week. So, complete lang case buildup namin. We should be ready to file cases against the bids and awards committee from 2014 to 2025 for bid rigging. Handa na kami. Solid na yung push namin,” Remulla said.

He added that officials facing charges will be placed under preventive suspension once cases are filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“They will be put under preventive suspension. ipa-file namin sa Ombudsman ang kaso nila. They will be heard. They will have their day in court. Pero kakasuhan na sila and they will be recommended for replacement already,” he said.

Remulla described the alleged scheme as a “P15-billion-a-year racket” that has burdened business owners nationwide.

Among the top complaints is the alleged practice of forcing establishments to purchase fire extinguishers at inflated prices before being granted a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), a mandatory requirement for business operations.

According to Remulla, the scheme allegedly involves BFP personnel selling fire extinguishers first before inspectors conduct official inspections.

“Hanggang hepe niya. Hanggang hepe niya, kakasuhan namin. Imposible, hindi, hindi alam ng hepe ito. Kasi nagta-trabaho ang hepe para pigilin lahat yan,” Remulla said

“Sa buong Pilipinas, ganyan ang sistema nila ngayon. Nauunang nagbebenta, saka pupuntang inspector,,” he said.

The DILG chief also claimed that the alleged irregularities could not have gone unnoticed by top officials.

“Up to the chief, we will file cases. It is impossible that the chief did not know about this. The chief’s job is to prevent all of this,” Remulla said.

Remulla said the questionable practice dates back to 2014, alleging that BFP personnel have been engaged in the forced sale of overpriced fire extinguishers to businesses applying for fire safety clearances nationwide.

He cited a personal anecdote involving his nephew in Imus, Cavite, who was allegedly asked by a Fire Officer 1 for money before the release of a fire safety certificate.

When asked what charges may initially be filed, Remulla said: “Bid rigging ang number one. Bid rigging, graft. The others, i-define natin yung full report ng legal department namin by Monday, handa na.”

He confirmed that all those involved in the Bids and Awards Committee since 2014, as well as all former BFP chiefs during that period, would be included in the complaint.

Remulla estimated that nearly 40 officials could face charges, covering a 10-year period.

The DILG secretary said he has already discussed the matter with President Marcos and has recommended Fernandez’s removal. He added that three names have been submitted as possible replacements for the BFP chief.

“By Monday malalaman natin kung kailan. Pero yung kapalit niya give us 10 days kasi i-scrutinize namin lahat ng tatlong recommend, yung tatlong candidates para malaman namin talaga sino ang pinakamagaling,” Remulla said.

Remulla urged the public, particularly business owners, to document and report any instances of alleged forced selling.

The DILG chief described the alleged corruption within the BFP as a “cancer” that must be eradicated, vowing that those responsible — including former and current officials — will be held accountable in the coming days.

“Dito sa BFP kasi cancerous ang corruption. Pagpasok mo pa lang, babayad ka ng P500,000. Kung wala kang pangbayad, ibabawi mo yan sa fire inspection o sa anomang kotong nyo. So it becomes systemic, structural. The entire organization has been affected. So, it will take time bago maayos namin ito. But slowly, we're getting there,“ he said.