AS the country marked International Firefighters’ Day, the Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas (ABP) party-list renewed its urgent call to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to pass a resolution affirming their group as the sole legitimate representative of the first responder sector in the upcoming May 12 elections.
The appeal came as ABP’s third nominee, Leninsky Bacud, was laid to rest after being fatally shot in Sampaloc, Manila last week.
ABP first nominee Dr. Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia appealed to Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia, asserting their legal standing as the rightful party-list group, backed by the fact that the slain nominee was ABP’s founding leader.
“One life is enough. We cannot afford to lose another,” Goitia said.
“We appeal to Commissioner Garcia to immediately recognize us as the sole legal representative of Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas.”
Goitia added that Bacud had earlier filed criminal complaints for perjury and falsification of public documents against 10 individuals who allegedly forged signatures and falsely claimed leadership of ABP.
The disputed resignations were dated February 19, 2024 — a move Goitia said was fraudulent, as the actual organizational changes occurred during a May 13, 2024 assembly where he was elected president and Bacud vice president.
Goitia noted that they filed a petition with Comelec in October 2024 questioning the other group’s legitimacy.
However, the Comelec Second Division, led by Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, declared the case in default on January 17, 2025, after petitioners failed to attend scheduled hearings.
In a press briefing at the ABP headquarters in Pasay, Goitia condemned Bacud’s killing as a “cowardly attack” on all firefighter volunteers and first responders and announced a P1-million reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
“This is not only an attack on a comrade, but on every rescuer who risks their life to protect others,” Goitia said. (Marisa Son)