Ombudsman axes BFP chief over graft raps

National

THE chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has been sacked over allegations of graft and bribery.

Jesus Fernandez was indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman for graft and bribery charges in connection with the procurement of 132 ambulances worth P485 million, a report by Philstar said.

The Ombudsman said it has filed cases against Fernandez before the Sandiganbayan after it found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to charge him with two counts of indirect bribery and two counts of violation of Section 3(b) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

A complaint was filed against Fernandez by the Department of the Interior and Local Government following a fact-finding investigation by Task Force BFP Accountability into the procurement of 132 units of Type 1 Basic Life Support ambulances.

Investigation showed that the contract was awarded to Toyota Mabolo, which entered into a joint venture with Autozone Prime Distributors Inc. for the project.

The Ombudsman said Fernandez, who was then the bids and awards committee chairperson, was accused of receiving some P14.7 million from a representative of the joint venture.

Rosaverna Sangga, the designated representative of the joint venture, was also charged with two counts of corruption of public officials under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code.

A separate administrative charge was also filed against Fernandez. The Ombudsman found Fernandez guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and grave misconduct.

Fernandez faces dismissal from the service, including cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from reemployment in government service.(MyTVCebu)