QUEZON CITY — Twelve officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are facing administrative charges over alleged irregularities in recruitment and fire safety inspections, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced on Tuesday.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed the cases following reports of a “slot-for-sale” scheme and inspection lapses that have cast doubt on the integrity of the agency.

Remulla revealed that four former senior officials of BFP Region VIII were implicated in the recruitment controversy during the 2025 Fire Officer 1 hiring process. Applicants were allegedly asked to pay between ₱400,000 and ₱800,000 to secure a slot in the final list.

“Lahat sila ay member ng Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board at ginawa nilang negosyo ang serbisyo publiko,” Remulla said, stressing that the practice undermines merit-based recruitment.

Aside from recruitment issues, the officials are also facing charges related to questionable fire safety inspections. These lapses reportedly allowed establishments to operate without proper compliance, raising concerns about public safety. Remulla emphasized that the crackdown is part of the government’s broader effort to restore accountability and discipline within the BFP.

The filing of administrative cases signals a stronger stance by the DILG against corruption in frontline agencies. Remulla underscored that the government will not tolerate schemes that exploit applicants or compromise safety standards. He added that reforms are underway to ensure transparency in recruitment and stricter monitoring of fire safety inspections.

The accused officials will undergo due process, with the administrative proceedings expected to determine their accountability. Meanwhile, the DILG has assured the public that measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, reinforcing its commitment to professionalize the Bureau of Fire Protection and safeguard public trust.