JULY 17, 2016

NR # 4264

More solons want Filipino Identification System established

Lawmakers are pushing for the establishment of a National Identification Card to serve as
the official identification of all Filipino citizens or alien permanent residents dealing with
government agencies, government owned or controlled corporation (GOCC), firm or
establishment.
Ako Bicol Party-List Reps. Rodel M. Batocabe and Christopher S. Co authored House Bill
523 to institutionalize a national identification card that will replace the current practice of
requiring at least two valid government issued IDs when transacting business with different
agencies in the country.
The current program of a Unified Multi-purpose ID card (UMID) for members of GSIS,
SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig, pursuant to Executive Order 420 of April 13, 2005 serves as an
excellent case study in favor of extending the National ID card to all Filipinos and alien
permanent residents, Batocabe said.
Once enacted into law, all citizens, not only government employees and SSS members
but the self-employed, the unemployed, minors, and Filipinos working abroad will be under the
coverage of the National ID system, Batocabe added.
The measure also known as the Filipino Identification System Act, shall provide official
identification of all citizens of the Republic of the Philippines and gradually concert and
consolidate all existing government-initiated identification systems into one integrated and
efficient identification system.
Under the measure, every Filipino, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, is
mandated to register personal information required by the ID system, and upon application shall
be issued a non-transferrable Filipino ID card with an ID number that shall be valid for life.
The ID card may be replaced only when a child reaches the legal age of 18 years old;
when there is change in name and family name by virtue of court order or by application of law,
such as a married woman adopting the surname of the husband, for lost or destroyed, for other
revisions that may deemed necessary by the cardholder such as changes in the facial features due
to age or medical intervention.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as the implementing agency, shall determine,
validate and administer the data and materials required to avail of the benefits of the
identification system, while the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through Philippine
embassies and consular offices shall handle the registration of Filipinos residing abroad.
The proposed ID card shall be honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth
and all other personal circumstances, including application for passport, drivers license;
applications for any services and benefits offered by the Government Services Insurance System
(GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Home Development Mutual Fund

(HDMF); and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), courts, prosecutor and the police
clearances.
Likewise, the ID card can also be used as proof of identity, status, age and address for
admission in all learning institutions as well as for employment; for voting identification;
availment of benefits afforded by law to senior citizens; and for banking and financial institution.
Violations are punishable by law, such as false information in applying for the issuance of
the ID card or acquiring through fraud; refusing to accept or acknowledge the ID as the only
official identification of the owner, any public official or employee who connives with the
offender, causing the issuance of an unauthorized ID card or approves the application despite the
knowledge of the existence of fraud or false information.
Violators shall be punished with a fine of not more than P500,000 or imprisonment of not
more than two years or both, at the discretion of the court.
Offending government officials and employees shall suffer the penalty of perpetual
disqualification from government service.
The penalties imposed shall be in addition to those imposed on acts punishable by existing
penal and other laws, including acts of omission.
The PSA, as repository of all data, shall create and maintain a Filipino Citizen Registry
that will contain the registered records and information of persons issued with the Filipino ID
card.
The PSA shall institute the necessary measure to safeguard the information provided in the
Filipino ID card and no such information shall be released to any agency, office or
instrumentality, government or otherwise, nor shall it be used against any person except in cases
stipulated in the proposed Act.
The PSA, in coordination with relevant agencies such as the DFA, the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), the Commission on Elections, the GSIS, the SSS, the PhilHealth and the
Bureau of Immigration, shall promulgate rules and regulations and exchange existing
technologies and best practices on the issuance of identification cards to effectively implement
the proposed Act.
Magdalo Party-List Rep. Gary C. Alejano also filed a measure institutionalizing the
establishment of a National ID system that will also serve as an important tool in upgrading the
speed and quality of public service in the country without compromising the protection and
privacy of personal information. (30) jc