Marilyn Cahatol

The Philippine Ports Authority and the Asian Terminals Incorporated (ATI) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176000349395320250825-philippine-ports-authority-JC0908.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippine Ports Authority and the Asian Terminals Incorporated (ATI) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo asked Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez to fire members of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) who took part in the purchase of 191 body-worn cameras priced at P879,000 per unit in 2020.</p><p>Tulfo raised the alleged questionable contract of PPA with Boston Home, Incorporated during the hearing of the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday.</p><p>“Ang pinag-uusapan dito sobrang overpricing, immoral na ito. Eskandaloso na masyado ito,” Tulfo remarked.</p><p>In comparison, he said, the Philippine National Police (PNP) bought body-worn cameras worth P135,000 each.</p><p>“Secretary Lopez, sibakin mo nga ito. I’m asking you, imbestigahan mo to at sibakin dahil merong kuntsabahan dito para dugasan ang gobyerno. Really. Kahit ano pang palusot mo, Mr. Santiago, hindi katanggap-tanggap yun,” Tulfo said.  </p><p>He was talking to PPA General Manager Jay Santiago who said the procurement was above board.</p><p>“Dumaan po ito sa regular pong proseso under RA 9184 at katulad po ng ibang procurement po ng PPA whether infra or goods or equipment hindi po tayo nagbabayad ng advance payment,” Santiago explained.</p><p>He also said that the body-worn cameras are integrated into their regular surveillance system.</p><p>“Yung pong 191 units po yun po yung actual camera pero hindi lamang po kasi camera, may sistema po ito, may kasamang servers,” Santiago said.</p><p>Tulfo still questioned, however, PPA’s supposed lack of due diligence in checking the background of Boston Home.</p><p>“Kung nag-imbestiga kayo, malalaman niyo na ito ay nagbenta ng mga defective equipment sa EMB (Environmental Management Bureau) bago niyo sana talagang totally gi-no yung kontrata. Pangalawa, pinuntahan niyo sana ang address nito at malalaman niyo isang apartment lang ang opisina niya. Pangatlo, malalaman niyo na yung kanyang paid-up capital ay 10 million lamang,” Tulfo said.</p><p>He also mentioned that the PPA bought 164 units of body-worn cameras in 2021 from Boston Home which amounted to P168 million or almost P1 million each.</p><p>“Bago kayo magpa-bid, dapat chine-check niyo yung company, magsa-submit proposal mga company dapat man lang iniimbestigahan niyo, do research,” Tulfo told PPA.</p><p>Santiago replied, “Moving forward po we will take that in consideration, sasama po natin sa proseso natin.”</p><p>Santiago said he will submit the minutes of the BAC meeting to Tulfo.  </p><p>Lopez assured he will look into the issue.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/-sumbong-sa-pangulo-website-gets-nearly-20-000-complaints-palace-1533"><strong>‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ website gets nearly 20,000 complaints: Palace</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/59gvxuEaCmk?si=Je95jOiG2sl0pbkF" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Sen. Raffy Tulfo asked Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez to fire members of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) who took part in the purchase of 191 body-worn cameras priced at P879,000 per unit in 2020.</p>

Sen. Raffy Tulfo asked Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez to fire members of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) who took part in the purchase of 191 body-worn cameras priced at P879,000 per unit in 2020.

DOTr asked to fire PPA bid panel members over pricey body-worn cameras

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DOTr asked to fire PPA bid panel members over pricey body-worn cameras

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 09, 2025 06:16 PM PHT

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Updated October 09, 2025 09:06 PM PHT

Read More:

raffy tulfo

philippine ports authority

body-worn camera

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