Extinguishing Corruption: The BFP Fire Extinguisher Scandal and the Illusion of Reform

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — February 9, 2024

WHEN Secretary Jonvic Remulla thundered against Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel allegedly selling fire extinguishers to businesses seeking fire safety clearances, one might have thought he had just discovered fire itself. His outrage—palpable, indignant—came with the promise of swift action: “Report it, and I’ll fire them on the spot!” But for many Filipinos, this wasn’t breaking news—it was just another chapter in the long-running telenovela of government corruption.

At the heart of this scandal is a scheme as old as bureaucracy itself: regulatory extortion. Fire marshals allegedly strong-arming businesses into purchasing fire extinguishers (often at inflated prices or from preferred suppliers) in exchange for safety clearances isn’t just a petty side hustle—it’s a systemic abuse of power that undermines public trust, distorts the business environment, and makes a mockery of the government’s so-called commitment to ease of doing business.

But let’s move past the outrage and get to the core question: Is Remulla’s response enough to put out this fire, or is it just another PR smoke screen?

I. Legal Framework: The Fire Marshals and the Law

The BFP personnel involved in this scandal may be guilty of more than just ethical lapses—they could be in direct violation of several Philippine laws. Let’s break it down:

1. Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019)

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act is clear: public officials cannot demand or receive bribes, kickbacks, or anything of value in exchange for official functions.

Section 3(e) criminalizes acts causing undue injury to the government or any party due to “manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence.” BFP personnel pressuring businesses to buy fire extinguishers fits this perfectly.
Section 3(g) prohibits entering into contracts that are “manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government.” If BFP personnel are tying safety clearances to specific suppliers, this is a textbook violation.

2. Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032)

Ironically, the very law meant to streamline government services—RA 11032—is being trampled on by the very agencies responsible for enforcing it. This law requires fire safety clearances to be issued within seven working days, without unnecessary red tape.

Businesses are reporting that approvals are being delayed unless they purchase fire extinguishers from designated sellers—an outright violation of the law’s intent.
The ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority) should be investigating this scandal, but is it? Or will it act only when the political winds shift?

3. Code of Conduct for Public Officials (RA 6713)

This law demands public officials act with integrity, professionalism, and transparency. Selling fire extinguishers to business owners seeking fire clearances is a flagrant abuse of authority and a gross violation of ethical standards.

4. Criminal Liability Under the Revised Penal Code

Depending on the circumstances, BFP personnel involved could face:

Bribery (Article 210) – If fire marshals explicitly demand money in exchange for clearances.
Corruption of Public Officials (Article 211) – If businesses are coerced into making payments.
Fraud (Article 315) – If the fire extinguishers sold are substandard, overpriced, or unnecessary.

At this point, the legal violations are undeniable. But will the government actually prosecute, or is this just another case of officials scolding corruption while letting it thrive behind closed doors?

II. The Political Fallout: Who Benefits from This Fire?

Corruption isn’t just a legal issue—it’s political dynamite. Here’s how this scandal reshapes the power dynamics:

1. Secretary Remulla: The “Anti-Corruption Crusader” Narrative

Secretary Remulla’s outrage is conveniently timed. With the 2025 midterm elections approaching, every government official is polishing their reformist credentials. His strong words project an image of decisive leadership, but unless he actually fires and prosecutes corrupt fire marshals, it’s just performative politics.

2. A Gift to the Opposition

The opposition, now led by Duterte as the fiercest critic of the Marcos administration, has found a potent talking point: If the government can’t even clean up fire safety inspections, how can it run the country? Expect Remulla’s rivals—both from Duterte’s camp and other opposition factions—to weaponize this scandal against the administration’s broader claims of good governance.

3. The BFP: A Bureaucratic Power Struggle

The BFP operates under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), meaning political control over the agency is at stake. If the corruption scandal expands, expect internal purges—not necessarily to fix the problem, but to consolidate power among political allies.

III. The Ethical Catastrophe: When Safety Becomes a Business Scheme

Beyond the legal and political implications, this scandal strikes at something even deeper: public trust in safety institutions.

Fire safety inspections exist to prevent disasters, not to generate side income for government officials. When citizens see safety clearances being sold to the highest bidder, confidence in fire regulations collapses.
Businesses forced into these transactions may cut corners elsewhere—perhaps skimping on legitimate safety measures to afford the bribes. This could lead to real fires, real casualties, and real destruction.
The public perception of the BFP as a corrupt agency will make businesses less likely to comply with legitimate safety requirements, creating a cycle of non-compliance and enforcement failures.

The ethical failure here isn’t just about money—it’s about risking lives for profit.

IV. Reform or Just More Smoke? The Path Forward

Real reform will require more than angry statements from the DILG. Here’s what needs to happen:

1. Full Investigation and Prosecutions

The Office of the Ombudsman must file corruption cases against BFP officials involved.
No resignations with benefits—corrupt officials should be charged, tried, and convicted.

2. Third-Party Fire Safety Compliance

Businesses should be allowed to purchase fire safety equipment from any legitimate supplier, not just BFP’s “preferred” vendors.
The procurement process for fire safety compliance should be fully digitized and monitored to eliminate human discretion.

3. Whistleblower Protections

Business owners and BFP insiders willing to expose corruption should be protected, incentivized, and given anonymity.
A hotline directly under the Ombudsman or Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) should be set up for reporting corruption.

4. Structural Reforms to the BFP

Fire safety inspections should be handled by an independent regulatory body rather than an agency with financial incentives.
The budget of the BFP should be reviewed to see whether underfunding contributes to corruption.

Conclusion: Will This Fire Be Extinguished?

The BFP scandal is not an isolated incident—it’s symptomatic of a wider culture of impunity in Philippine governance. Secretary Remulla’s outrage is a step in the right direction, but without real action, it’s just political theater.

If the government is serious about tackling corruption, this is the moment to prove it. Otherwise, Filipinos will learn a bitter lesson: in the Philippines, even fire safety is for sale.