BFP denies ‘padrino’ system

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) denied on Friday the existence of a “padrino” system in appointing its key officials.

In a press conference at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) headquarters in Quezon City, Fire Supt. Analy Atienza, the BFP spokesperson, referred to a memorandum issued by BFP Chief Director Jesus Fernandez on 28 April.

The memo, addressed to DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla and Undersecretary for Public Safety Serafin Barretto, dismissed the claims as “untrue and baseless.”

The memorandum was issued following a request from Barretto’s office after the DAILY TRIBUNE published an article about the alleged issue.

“The Bureau of Fire Protection upholds the highest standards of transparency and accountability and follows the directives of the SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) in the fight against corruption. Any personnel movement is made in the best interest of the service and with the necessary Comelec exemptions,” Fernandez explained in his memorandum.

However, the DAILY TRIBUNE obtained a letter from the Office of the President dated 5 March signed by Assistant Executive Secretary Neil Vincent Bainto, which noted that Fire Sr. Supt. Rodrigo Navalta had expressed interest in being appointed as the Fire Marshal of Quezon City.

A special order issued on 22 April by BFP Chief of Directorial Staff, Fire Chief Supt. Manuel Manuel, announced that Quezon City Fire Marshal Sr. Supt. Flor-Ian Guerrero would be reassigned to head the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela) Fire District. He would be replaced by Sr. Supt. Rodrigo Reyes, who was already serving in the same capacity.

At the time, Fernandez was acting BFP officer-in-charge, which led Manuel to issue the special order. This order should have come from the BFP National Capital Region head, Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza, who was “administratively relieved” and replaced, allegedly due to his retirement status.

However, an insider within the BFP claimed that Tarroza was relieved for failing to act on appointing Reyes after Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte sent a letter to the BFP-NCR chief recommending the retention of Guerrero, who was performing well in his role.