​FIRE Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu has been designated as the officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Malacañang said Tuesday. ​Tiu takes over from Director Jesus Fernandez, whom the Office of the Ombudsman placed under preventive suspension following complaints filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for alleged corruption. ​“Confirmed,” Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said in a text message to reporters after Tiu’s appointment paper, signed March 16, was released. ​Tiu’s appointment was to “ensure the continuous and effective delivery of public service.” He will lead the BFP “until a replacement is designated” by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ​Fernandez was accused of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, and malversation of public funds. The charges stemmed from a P14.7 million kickback he supposedly received in connection with the procurement of 132 ambulances for the BFP in 2024. ​DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier lamented the alleged misuse of public funds and vowed to “pursue the truth and ensure full accountability” of those involved.