Smile, you’re on camera!

Well, that was the typical gag show back in the 1990s. Where one would prank a person until he or she got mad, and then the practical joker would point out the hidden camera to the victim and say: “Smile, you’re on camera!”

Well, that was before the YouTube era, when pranks were intended to make people laugh. Fast forward to today, where everything is recorded on cam and pranks seem to be a bit more personal and an attack.

In the past months, Senate and House memes have gone viral after every hearing — either the guest goes viral or the lawmakers get trolled.

Either way, there’s no escaping the keen news camera lenses, cellphone cameras, tablets, and CCTVs. Netizens are more involved now in national issues because every angle relates to the ordinary people. From the budget hearings to the investigations into flood control projects, these are comparable to TV series with new characters and plot twists revealed to the viewers every single time.

If you have been following the Senate hearings, you probably heard that the Philippine Ports Authority bought body cameras worth P879,000 each. Cue the outrage, the memes, and the usual chorus of “Pera ng taumbayan ibalik niyo!”

But before we all jump ship, it’s worth listening to the other side, since the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has recently given its side to blunt the quick judgement of the issue. And it has a story to tell. Well, it’s not exactly a tale of overpricing that some would like to believe.

According to PPA general manager Jay Santiago, everything about the project from supplier qualification to post-qualification checks was done by the book. The contractor, Boston Home Inc., passed every requirement under Republic Act 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act. In short, it was a legitimate and qualified contractor and not some fly-by-night operation.

Critics had pointed out that the company’s office looked more like a house than a headquarters. But GM Santiago was quick to clarify that the law does not require a bidder to have a fancy office or a Makati or BGC address. What matters, he said, is a valid PhilGEPS registration, proof of financial capacity, and compliance with all the documentary requirements.

Well, they checked all of those boxes.

The PPA Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) confirmed that Boston Home submitted a complete set of credentials — from business permits, BIR registration, PhilGEPS Platinum Certificate, audited financial statements to tax clearances.

If you’re wondering why no one dropped by to physically inspect the office, the PPA said that’s not allowed before the bidding. An inspection is only done during the post-qualification stage, and even then, pandemic restrictions then made it difficult to visit offices in person. So instead, all documents were verified at the PPA Head Office.

Still sounds too neat? Well, here’s what the PPA said you’re actually paying for. Not just cameras, but a complete surveillance and digital evidence management system for 22 ports nationwide. We’re talking about body cams with live streaming and facial recognition, encrypted evidence management, central servers, data storage, fiber and satellite connectivity, plus training, installation, and after sales support.

In other words, the PPA said this was not like buying a DSLR or a GoPro; it was about building an integrated monitoring network for ports across the country.

And to be fair, Boston Home isn’t a total unknown and its location is actually a legitimate office located at Robinsons Equitable Tower and not just in some dark scary apartment as claimed. In fact, they have handled projects for other prominent government agencies. Not bad for a company people assumed just sold appliances, right?

GM Santiago says he’s “overprotective” of the PPA’s reputation and welcomes any review.

“We’re open to scrutiny.” Because let’s face it, in a country where “compliance” and “credibility” don’t always hold hands, the public’s instinct to question is healthy but there lies a bigger battle: for the public’s trust. Do not believe everything you see on social media. Verify the facts first before bending the law.

So yes, maybe the PPA followed the process. Maybe every document checked out. But of course, the public should also not be too quick to judge but do its research before jumping to conclusions.

After all, body cameras are meant to show the truth.

It’s like being in a prank show where somebody would say in the end: “Smile, you’re on camera!” In the end, time is the ultimate truth teller.

Let the cameras do the talking, but let us not forget the bigger issues our nation is currently facing, way bigger than the PPA body cameras.

Let us not try to bend the law to sway public opinion for whatever lies behind. Oops!

Your guess is as good as mine there. But don’t forget to smile, for we are all in the same boat.