Tulfo questions PPA's P168M body camera purchase over alleged overpricing

Senator Raffy Tulfo questioned the Philippine Ports Authority's (PPA) purchase of 191 body-worn cameras in 2020 for P168 million, with each unit costing approximately P879,000.

Tulfo confronted PPA General Manager Jay Santiago during a Senate hearing on the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) proposed 2026 budget.

The senator highlighted that the cameras were procured from Boston Home Incorporated, a company with a low paid-up capital operating from an apartment, and that the Commission on Audit (COA) had previously flagged the supplier for delivering defective equipment.

Despite the issues, the PPA awarded Boston Homes another contract the following year for 164 more body cameras, this time priced even higher, amounting to more than P1 million per unit.

Tulfo contrasted the PPA's camera cost with the Philippine National Police's (PNP) purchase of similar equipment at P135,000 each.

He asked DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez to dismiss the members of the PPA Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) involved in the transaction, citing overpricing and potential collusion.

Santiago's explanation that the cameras were integrated into their surveillance system was dismissed by Tulfo as insufficient justification for the high cost.