Ex-BFP chief Fernandez pleads not guilty to indirect bribery charge

MANILA, Philippines — Former Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Jesus Fernandez on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to one of his two indirect bribery cases before the Sandiganbayan.

The Fifth Division is handling the one count of indirect bribery case involving a ₱10.7 million transaction.

The information containing this formal charge was read to Fernandez during his arraignment. 

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READ: Ombudsman orders BFP chief dismissed; graft, bribe raps filed

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“Director Fernandez pleaded not guilty,” his lawyer Jhufel Brañanola told Inquirer in a text message.

This ₱10.7 million transaction is included in the alleged ₱14.7-million bribe that the official purportedly received from businesswoman Rosaverna Sangga.

The deal is in connection with the BFP’s procurement of 132 ambulances worth ₱485 million last year.

Sangga, who is the representative of a joint venture the BFP entered into an agreement with, allegedly handed over ₱10.7 million to Fernandez on Nov. 21, 2024, and another ₱4 million on Sept. 25, 2025.

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Aside from indirect bribery, Fernandez also faced two counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan.

He also pleaded not guilty for his graft case in the Second Division involving the same ₱10.7 million transaction.

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The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Fernandez from service on Sept. 3.

Brañanola said Fernandez filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) before the ombudsman.

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“Since as a rule, dismissal order from [the] Ombudsman is immediately executory, hence, pending resolution of the MR, he is effectively dismissed from the service to date,” Brañanola said. /apl