The Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas (ABP) party-list renewed its appeal to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for swift resolution of its internal leadership dispute, following the fatal shooting of its founder and third nominee Leninsky Bacud in Sampaloc, Manila last April 28.
The plea coincided with the observance of International Firefighters’ Day last Sunday, May 4, as the ABP group laid to rest their slain colleague.
ABP first nominee Dr. Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia called on Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia to recognize their group as the legitimate representative of ABP, listed as No. 134 on the May 12 midterm party-list elections ballot.
“One life is enough. We cannot afford to lose another,” Goitia said. He appealed to Garcia to immediately pass the resolution affirming their legal standing as the rightful representatives of the fire and rescue sector.
Goitia said the group has full confidence in Comelec but emphasized the urgency of a decision with only days left before the elections on May 12.
He disclosed that Bacud filed perjury and falsification complaints against 10 individuals allegedly impersonating ABP officials. Bacud claimed the group forged documents stating that incumbent board members resigned on February 19, 2024.
Goitia clarified that the actual resignation and leadership change occurred during a general assembly on May 13, 2024, where he was elected president and Bacud as vice president.
He added that their faction filed a petition with the Comelec in October 2024 to challenge the rival group’s legitimacy. However, the Comelec’s Second Division dismissed the case in January 2025 after the petitioners failed to attend a scheduled hearing.
ABP strongly condemned the attack on Bacud and offered a ₱1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those behind his killing.
