1

I. PROLOGUE

Have you experienced watching a foreign movie and amazed when
they are searching for people and they have a database of all their citizens?
Amazing huh? Have you encountered a scenario when you need to present an
Identification Card and you do not have one because of some reasons like you
are not a student or you do not have a work or perhaps you have a work but
they do not give an Identification Card? Or in some instances when you have an
Identification Card but they require at least two Identification Card? Have you
ever check your parents wallet and wonder whats with their many different
IDs? Have you been so desperate to have an Identification Card that even if you
do not send mail because of other alternatives technology offers, you go to the
Post Office and apply for Postal I.D? Have you wished you only need to present
one (1) Identification Card for government transactions? Have you been so
tired of all the requirements you need to provide and all that costs to have an
Identification Card? Have you ever wondered or dreamed that someday
somehow Filipinos too will have that so called National Identification Card?


II. INTRODUCTION

National Identification Card is a portable document, typically a plasticized
card with digitally-embedded information, that someone is required or
encouraged to carry as a means of confirming their identity.
1
National
Identification Card are used by many countries in the world now like Belgium
that introduced their National ID Card in 2004 with plans to include all citizens

1
Margaret Rouse, Definition National Identity Card, Search Security, (April, 2010),
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/national-identity-card.
2


by 2012. ID cards issued after 2012 will include biometric data such as
fingerprints designed to enhance card security by preventing forgeries. Children
are not required to have IDs.
2
Swedish citizens have had a National ID Card in
place since October 1, 2005. The ID program was seen as a way to streamline
travel to other parts of Europe without having to carry a passport. Swedes also
use their National IDs in their own country as proof of citizenship.
3
Macau, the
former Portuguese colony and now a Special Autonomous Region of China, has
National ID cards for all Macau citizens. Forgery-proof electronic smart cards,
developed by Bell ID, were issued to the 540,000 qualifying residents of Macau.
In addition to serving as a photo ID, the cards also have the capability to
provide carriers with future secure access to electronic government services.
4

Saudi Arabia has had National Identity Cards in use since May 4, 2004. It was at
this time that Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, also the Interior Minister, authorized
its use for citizens. The card offered a high resolution color photograph. As of
April 2010, new cards contain GPS chips, fingerprints and embedded and coded
security features designed to thwart forgers.
5
National ID cards are used in
Kenya. According to the Registration of Persons Act, all Kenyan citizens who are
18 years or older need to present themselves before a registrar of the court to
begin the process, which includes taking a photograph and getting fingerprints.
Documentation pertaining to birth records and domicile location should be
from the citizen's home district as it's the best way for authorities to ascertain
authenticity. Registrars are authorized to ask naturalized citizens for additional
documentation when forgery is suspected.
6
In different countries that are using
National identification Card, they use different methods to make it 100%

2
Erin Moseley, What Countries in the World Use National ID Cards?
http://www.ehow.com/list_6894897_countries-use-national-id-cards_.html (last accessed
October 10, 2013).
3
id.
4
id.
5
id.
6
id.
3


accurate and forgery- proof like incorporating biometrics, which are physical
characteristics that identify the individual, which makes these cards increasingly
more difficult to forge.

During the present Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, the 16
th

Congress, proposed law on National Identification Card was revived and it will
be known as Filipino Identification Card. It will serve as official Identification
Card of a Filipino citizen whether residing in the Philippines or abroad. It can be
use in both public and private transactions which will serve as an efficient tool
in upgrading the speed and quality of public service in the country.
7
Also, one
of its purposes is to cut red tape. Red tape is excessive regulation or rigid
conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and
hinders or prevents action or decision-making. It is usually applied
to governments, corporations, and other large organizations. One definition is
the "collection or sequence of forms and procedures required to gain
bureaucratic approval for something, especially when oppressively complex and
time-consuming". Another definition is the "bureaucratic practice of hair
splitting or foot dragging, blamed by its practitioners on the system that forces
them to follow prescribed procedures to the letter".
8
One example is getting
Social Security System(SSS) ID Card. SSS is a privatized social insurance
program for Filipino workers in the private sector. It is the counterpart of the
social insurance program for government workers called the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS). According to Philippine law, any individual
working as a regular employee in a private company must be covered by the
SSS.
9
Since many Filipino avail this, many Filipino knows how hard and tiring to

7
House Bill 0000011, 16
th
Cong, 1
st
Sess (July 1, 2013)
8
Red Tape, Wikipedia, (September, 2013), http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_tape.
9
Rianne Hill Soriano Philippine Social Security System: Loan, Sickness, and Retirement
Benefits, Yahoo! Voices, (Sep 30, 2010), http://voices.yahoo.com/philippine-social-security-
system-loan-sickness-and-6867876.html

4


avail such ID. So here are the steps, before you can get your ID, make sure you
are already a member of the Social Security System otherwise you cannot
proceed. If you are not a member yet, register now for your SSS number and
start your contributions. You need to download E-6 form that can be found in
SSS website, then you need to present two (2) valid IDs, submit the application
form at the SSS branch near you for your assessment and verification together
with your valid ID or supporting documents (if you dont have any ID), have
your fingerprints and signature taken, then your acknowledgement slip will be
given to you by the employee when youre finished. Youre done. Just wait for
your SSS Id card delivered to you at your home address.
10
Sounds easy? The real
thing is it takes a while, before you get that ID. Even before the sun is up, you
are already outside SSS and there is still a chance that you cannot finished what
you need to accomplish. Notice the option that you have if you do not have a
valid ID which just proved that some if not many Filipinos do not have a valid ID
and this process it requires two (2)! Same goes when one is availing passport,
visa, drivers license, Philhealth, etc., wherein more than one (1) ID is required.
Red tape in the bureaucracy, or the delay in the processing and transactions,
has always been the chief complaint of the people about government offices.
Time and again we hear of stories from people who spent hours lining up and
eventually getting frustrated because of the lack of acceptable proof of identity
or transactions get lost in the process due to the lack of an efficient tracking
system.
11

Technology is constantly growing, advancing, developing, modernizing
and revolutionizing the way people conduct their daily lives. The complicated to
simplest of tasks, technology is being design to make life easier, faster and

10
House Bill 217, 13
th
Cong, 1
st
Sess (July 4, 2004)
11
Five Things You Should Know Before Applying For Your SSS ID
http://www.bendaggers.com/how-to-apply-sss-social-security-id-e6/ (last accessed October 12,
2013)

5


more efficient. Owing to the constant use of technology, the Philippines can
step further and use this technology for the Filipino Identification System.
Biometry or biometrics is "the science of the application of statistical methods
to biological facts; a mathematical analysis of biological data." [12]
12
The term
"biometrics" has now evolved into a broad category of technologies which
provide precise confirmation of an individual's identity through the use of the
individual's own physiological and behavioral characteristics.
13
A physiological
characteristic is a relatively stable physical characteristic such as a fingerprint,
retinal scan, hand geometry or facial features. A behavioral characteristic is
influenced by the individual's personality and includes voice print, signature
and keystroke.
14
Most biometric identification systems use a card or personal
identification number (PIN) for initial identification. The biometric measurement
is used to verify that the individual holding the card or entering the PIN is the
legitimate owner of the card or PIN. Since this National Identification System
uses technology what are the possible pros and cons? What are the sides of
different government agencies?

Now, it can be said that there is a chance that National Identification Card
can be part of Filipinos lives. Though in the past years, there have been several
failed attempts. Why do you think it failed despite the impression of a
promising law that will bring improvements in the bureaucracy of the country
plus it will also help in the efficiency in government offices?

III. HISTORY
In December 12, 1996, Fidel V. Ramos as President of the Philippines
issued an Administrative Order No. 308, entitled Adoption of a National

12
Ople vs Torres et al. G.R. No. 127685, July 23, 1998.
13
id.
14
id
6


Computerized Identification Reference System. This was the first attempt in
establishing a National Identification System in the Philippines. It did not push
through because the legality of A.O 308 was questioned by Senator Blas F.
Ople. In the case of Blas F. Ople, vs. Ruben D. Torres, Alexander Aguirre,
Hector Villanueva, Cielito Habito, Robert Barbers, Carmencita Reodica, Cesar
Sarino, Renato Valencia, Tomas P. Africa, head of the National Computer Center
and Chairman of the Commission on Audit (Ople vs. Torres), G.R. No. 127685
which was promulgated July 23, 1998, the National Identification System was
the Presidents answer in the need to provide Filipino citizens and foreign
residents with the facility to conveniently transact business with basic service
and social security providers and other government instrumentalities which will
require a computerized system to properly and efficiently identify persons
seeking basic services on social security and reduce, if not totally eradicate,
fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations and a concerted and
collaborative effort among the various basic services and social security
providing agencies and other government instrumentalities is required to
achieve such a system. However, on January 24, 1997, Ople filed an instant
petition against respondents, then Executive Secretary Ruben Torres and the
heads of the government agencies, who as members of the Inter-Agency
Coordinating Committee, are charged with the implementation of A.O. No.
308. On April 8, 1997, a temporary restraining order enjoining its
implementation was issued. Ople contends that the establishment of National
Identification System requires a legislative act and being it issued by the
President through an Administrative Order, there is usurpation of the powers of
the Congress. Also, the appropriation of the President of public funds for the
implementation of A.O 308 is an unconstitutional usurpation of the exclusive
tight of Congress to appropriate public funds for expenditure. Lastly, Ople
contends that the implementation of A.O 308 will violate the Bill of Rights
enshrined in the Constitution. The respondents counter- argue that the instant
petition is not a justiciable case as would warrant judicial review and the
7


standing of the petitioner to sue but the Supreme Court ruled that as a Senator,
petitioner is possessed of the requisite standing to bring suit raising the issue
that the issuance of A.O. No. 308 is a usurpation of legislative power. As
taxpayer and member of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS),
petitioner can also impugn the legality of the misalignment of public funds and
the misuse of GSIS funds to implement A.O. No. 308. Respondents also
contended that A.O. No. 308 was issued within the Executive and
Administrative powers of the President without encroaching on the Legislative
powers of Congress. While Congress is vested with the power to enact laws, the
President executes the laws. A.O. No. 308 is not a mere administrative order
but a law and hence, beyond the power of the President to issue. It establishes
a system of identification that is all-encompassing in scope, affects the life and
liberty of every Filipino citizen and foreign resident, and more particularly,
violates their right to privacy. It establishes for the first time a National
Computerized Identification Reference System. It does not simply implement
the Administrative Code of 1987. With regards to the right of people to privacy
which is a fundamental right given by the Constitution, Section 4 of the
Administrative Order provides for a Population Reference Number (PRN) as a
"common reference number to establish a linkage among concerned agencies"
through the use of "Biometrics Technology" and "computer application designs."
A.O. No. 308 does not state whether encoding of data is limited to biological
information alone for identification purposes. The indefiniteness of A.O. No.
308 can give the government the roving authority to store and retrieve
information for a purpose other than the identification of the individual through
his PRN. There is a potential for misuse of the data to be gathered and the more
frequent the use of the PRN, the better the chance of building a huge and
formidable information base through the electronic linkage of the files. The
data may be gathered for gainful and useful government purposes; but the
existence of this vast reservoir of personal information constitutes a covert
invitation to misuse, a temptation that may be too great for some of our
8


authorities to resist. There are no controls to guard against leakage of
information. The Supreme Court hold that A.O. No. 308 falls short of assuring
that personal information which will be gathered about our people will only be
processed for unequivocally specified purposes.
The second attempt was when Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon,
Representative of the lone district of Muntinlupa City introduced House Bill 217
which is An Act Establishing a Mechanism for the National Identification System
in the Philippines, Providing for Benefits and Rights and Corresponding
Obligations, and for Other Purposes, which shall be known as National
Identification Card System (NICS) act of 2001. It was introduced during the First
Regular Session of the 13
th
Congress. Under the provisions of the House Bill,
The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall prepare the application forms for the
National Identification Card System (NICS). Persons at age of eighteen (18and
above are qualified to register. The identification card will contain the full
name, residence address, date of birth, sex, height and weight, nationality,
signature, permanent serial number and photograph. This house bill
nevertheless did not passed through.
The next attempt is by Aquilino Pimentel Jr., An Act Establishing
the Philippine National Identification System and be known as the National
Identification system Act of 2004, Senate Bill 1163 during the Third Regular
Session of the 14
th
Congress. According to the bills explanatory note, the
national identification card will do away with the need to present other
documents required for identification purposes. It intends to facilitate, for
instance, the issuance of passports and other official documents required by
our citizens from the Government. It will make the payment of fees and the
collection of taxes much easier and efficient. Election fraud, which is national
scourge, can be eliminated with the use of a national identification card. Also,
this bill did not push through.
9


The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said it will not oppose a
national ID system if enacted by Congress and if it has the proper safeguards
and well-defined standards to prevent unconstitutional incursions into
individual privacy.
15

It said an ID system would help curb crime and prevent possible terrorist
attacks but left it to Congress to decide whether or not to implement it.
To remove the legal infirmities pointed out by the Supreme Court in a 1998
decision on the proposal, the IBP said a law enacting an ID system must contain
a mechanism to ensure that the personal information to be gathered about a
person will only be processed for unequivocally specified purposes.
To comply with this requirement, the law must lay down the procedure and
requirements for the gathering, storage and retrieval of information, as well as
enumerate the persons authorized to access the data, and safeguard against
indiscriminate public disclosure of data by imposing penalties for its violation.
Such a system would provide citizens with the facility to conveniently deal with
various government agencies and other offices as well as reduce fraudulent
transactions and misrepresentations by unscrupulous persons.
16


Then Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda said a bill proposing it will
encounter rough sailing in Congress.
Yes, we should fight terrorism. But no, we should not turn into a police state
just to foil acts of terror,, What would stop overzealous agents supposedly
tracking down terrorists to take liberties with peace-loving citizens, or corrupt
policemen from abusing their authority by milking those would be found to
have left their identification cards at home?, she said.
17

Sen. Francis Pangilinan proposed that the government instead use data in

15
Government poll: Pinoys 4-1 for national ID plan, Asian Journal, (October 17, 2002),
http://asianjournalusa.com/government-poll-pinoys-for-national-id-plan-p265-67.htm
16
id.
17
id.
10


existing government IDs such as those provided by the Social Security System,
the Government Service and Insurance System, the Commission on Elections,
and Philhealth.
18


This next attempt though, it is not national identification system but a
unified identification system. April 13, 2005, then President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo issued Executive Order 420. This Executive Order requires all
government and government- owned and controlled corporations to streamline
and harmonize their Identification (ID) System and authorizing for that purpose
the Director- General, National Economic and Development Authority to
implement the same and for other purposes. The EO was issued because good
governance is a major thrust of the Administration, the existing multiple
identification systems in government have created unnecessary and costly
redundancies and higher costs to government, while making it inconvenient for
individuals to be holding several identification cards; there is urgent need to
streamline and integrate the processes and issuance of identification cards in
government to reduce costs and to provide greater convenience for those
transacting business with government; and a unified identification system will
facilitate private businesses, enhance the integrity and reliability of
government-issued identification cards in private transactions, and prevent
violations of laws involving false names and identities. However this EO was
questioned and as discussed in the case of Kilusang Mayo Uno et al. vs.
Director- General, National Economic and Development Authority and the
Secretary of Department of Budgt and Management, G.R. No. 167798, Bayan
Muna Representatives et al., vs Ermita, et al., G.R. No. 167930, two
consolidated cases which was promulgated on April 19, 2006. According to the
EO, a corresponding ID number issued by the participating agency and a
common reference number shall form part of the stored ID data and, together

18
Government poll: Pinoys 4-1 for national ID plan, Asian Journal, (October 17,
2002),http://asianjournalusa.com/government-poll-pinoys-for-national-id-plan-p265-67.htm
11


with at least the first five items from the list to be collected and recorded by the
participating agencies which shall not be limited to Name; Home Address; Sex;
Picture; Signature; Date of Birth; Place of Birth; Marital Status; Names of Parents;
Height; Weight; Two index fingers and two thumb marks; Any prominent
distinguishing features like moles and others; and Tax Identification Number
(TIN)., including the print of the right thumb mark, or any of the fingerprints as
collected and stored, shall appear on the face or back of the ID card. Petitioners
in G.R. No. 167798 allege that EO 420 is unconstitutional because it constitutes
usurpation of legislative functions by the executive branch of the government.
Furthermore, they allege that EO 420 infringes on the citizens right to privacy.
On the Alleged Usurpation of Legislative Power, the Supreme Court held that EO
420 applies only to government entities that issue ID cards as part of their
functions under existing laws. These government entities have already been
issuing ID cards even prior to EO 420. Examples of these government entities
are the GSIS, SSS, Philhealth, Mayors Office, LTO, PRC, and similar government
entities. The purposes of the uniform ID data collection and ID format are to
reduce costs, achieve efficiency and reliability, insure compatibility, and provide
convenience to the people served by government entities. Also, the President
may by executive or administrative order direct the government entities under
the Executive department to adopt a uniform ID data collection and format.
President shall have control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices.
He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.
19
Certainly, under this
constitutional power of control the President can direct all government
entities, in the exercise of their functions under existing laws, to adopt a
uniform ID data collection and ID format. Presidents power of control is limited
to the Executive branch of government and does not extend to the Judiciary, or
to the independent constitutional commissions, also, it does not compel all
citizens to have an ID card. Evidently, EO 420 does not establish a national ID
system because legislation is needed to establish a single ID system that is

19
CONST., art VII, sec. 1
12


compulsory for all branches of government. The President has not usurped
legislative power in issuing EO 420. On the Alleged Infringement of the Right to
Privacy, all these years, the GSIS, SSS, LTO, Philhealth and other government
entities have been issuing ID cards in the performance of their governmental
functions. There have been no complaints from citizens that the ID cards of
these government entities violate their right to privacy. There have also been
no complaints of abuse by these government entities in the collection and
recording of personal identification data. The right to privacy does not bar the
adoption of reasonable ID systems by government entities. With the exception
of the specific data shown on the ID card, the personal data collected and
recorded under EO 420 are treated as strictly confidential under Section 6(d)
of EO 420. These data are not only strictly confidential but also personal
matters. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern
shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents, and papers
pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government
research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the
citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.
20
Personal
matters are exempt or outside the coverage of the peoples right to information
on matters of public concern. The data treated as strictly confidential under
EO 420 being private matters and not matters of public concern, these data
cannot be released to the public or the press. In the present case, EO 420
does not establish a national ID system but makes the existing sectoral card
systems of government entities and is a proper subject of executive issuance
under the Presidents constitutional power of control over government entities
in the Executive department, as well as under the Presidents constitutional
duty to ensure that laws are faithfully executed.

The latest attempt of the revival of National Identification System was
filed by Hon. Al Francis C. Bichara of the 2nd District of Albay during the First

20
CONST., art III, sec. 7.
13


Regular Session of the Sixteenth (16th) Congress. He filed House Bill 000011
which shall be known as Filipino Identification System Act. Section three (3) of
the bill states that Filipino Identification System was established and institute as
an economic and social tool towards the attainment of progressive society
through efficient services for all Filipinos. The Identification System shall
provide official identification of all citizens of the Republic of the Philippines
through the issuance of the Filipino Identification Card. It shall gradually
concert and consolidate all existing Government- initiated identification
systems into one- integrated and efficient identification system. Unlike in other
previous bills, House Bill 000011 requires every Filipino to have a Filipino ID
card. In other previous bills, only persons of legal age can register but now
even a child can be registered by his/her parents or legal guardian. There is
also a huge difference in terms of the penal provisions of the old bills than this
new bill. During the 14
th
Congress, the punishment to persons who fail to
comply with the requirements of the act was a fine not exceeding ten thousand
pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than six(6) months, or, both,
at the discretion of the court, while during the present House Bill, any person
who knowingly uses false information in applying for the issuance of Filipino ID
or procures a card through fraud of who utilizes the card in unlawful manner,
shall be punished with a fine of not less than five thousand pesos (500,000.00)
but not more than five hundred thousand pesos or an imprisonment of non less
than six months but not more than 2 years, or both fine and imprisonment at
the discretion of the court. The penal provision in the present bill is stronger.

One of the reasons why this proposal fails was the threat to privacy of
persons. Human rights group Karapatan said the twin proposals from Congress
to introduce a national identification system and to register phone SIM cards
are bound to result in the curtailment of the right to privacy, free speech and
14


civil and political rights.
21
Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary-general said
that such measures will aggravate the already bleak human rights situation in
the country where human rights defenders and political dissenters are subjects
of surveillance, threats, illegal arrests and detention, enforced disappearances
and extrajudicial killings, also, a more productive response to the need for an
efficient system of delivering government service to the people is through the
prioritization and allocation of necessary funds for social services instead of
giving a lions share of public funds to the defense sector.
22

Even before, it has always been privacy and security that hinders the
passage of the National Identification System or in the present proposal, the
Filipino Identification Card. Today, the proposed law requiring all Filipinos to
secure individual identification cards has been approved on second reading by
the House of Representatives.
23


IV. PROS AND CONS OF FILIPINO ID CARD
Pros:

Reduce Red Tape

This is what the proposed bill aims, according to its author, Albay
Representative Hon. Bichara. If the bill became a law, procedures will be easier
with transactions with the government offices as well as for other purposes.

21
Rhodina Villanueva, Human rights group hits national ID system, The Philippine Star,
(August 6, 2013) http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/06/1057151/human-rights-group-
hits-national-id-system
22
id.
23
National ID system hurdles 2nd reading, ABS-CBN news, (February 15,
2013)http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/15/13/national-id-system-hurdles-2nd-reading
15


Important data about a person are already in the card and there is no need to
further prove it while transacting since the card is issued by the government
itself. The National Statistics Office (NSO) in coordination with Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices
shall determine, validate and administer the data and materials required to
avail the benefits of the identification system.
24
Identifying and identification
of a person will not be burdensome anymore.
In connection with the reduction of red tape in the bureaucracy, the
following are additional pros:
Faster, undemanding transaction-Since identity verification is
easier, transactions will be speedier. In just a swipe of the card the necessary
data are there. No need to carry all those documents.
Reliable data- Since this process of using Filipino ID uses
computers, there is less room for errors because it is run by a machine, also
the records stored in the computer are already verified before being encoded.
Easier backtracking- Also, because the process uses
computers, histories of transactions are saved and can be reviewed anytime
needed.
Cannot be refused- Any person who shall willfully and
unjustifiably refuse to accept, acknowledge or recognize the Filipino ID as the
only official identification of the owner thereof shall also be punished with
penalties or imprisonment.
25


Practical
Less Cost- No need to have those many different IDs. Of course,
for that every ID you paid, you present several documents and you spend in
printing and requesting of those, you traveled and spend time.

24
House Bill 0000011, 16
th
Cong, 1
st
Sess (July 1, 2013)
25
House Bill 0000011, 16
th
Cong, 1
st
Sess (July 1, 2013)
16


Free- The application and issuance of the Filipino ID shall be
initially free of charge as part of the government social service
responsibility.
26
The ID will be valid for at least ten (10) years and subject to
renewal so one can save up for its renewal.

Functional

The Filipino ID Card shall be presented and honored in transactions
requiring the identity, status, birth, and all other personal circumstances such
as but not limited to the following:
27

All transactions with the government;
Application for passport and drivers license;
Filing applications for any services and benefits offered by the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS),
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Home Development
Mutual Fund (HDMF);
Proof of identity, status, age, address for admission in all schools,
college learning institutions, and/or colleges and universities as well as for
employment purposes;
Availment of benefits or privileges afforded by law to senior
citizens
Application for National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance,
fiscal and police clearance;
Voting identification purposes- some citizens might try to vote in
elections more than once. Many times, they come up with fictional characters
so that a candidate can get additional votes. National ID cards prevent forged
identities;

26
House Bill 0000011, 16
th
Cong, 1
st
Sess (July 1, 2013)
27
id.
17


Employees identification card with respect to government
employees; and
Such other purposes and uses which the NSO may from time to
time prescribe.

One can show his ID card to prove his identity and credentials.
When one encountered an accident, with his ID card, his identity
and medical history is at hand.

Security
Government officials can prevent individuals who are not supposed
to be in a certain area, such as individuals who have been deemed national
security threats, from performing certain actions such as flying.
Filipino ID card has tamper- proof security material that will protect
the identity of the card holders from unwarranted and unauthorized access.
28

Filipino ID cards will help employers identify if a job applicant is
actually a citizen of the country and fight illegal employment.
ID cards help combat identity theft, owner of the ID can prove his
identity.

Cons:

Security
Identification Card for all Filipinos means a database of all
Filipinos- there is that big risk, what if the database was hacked? What if it was
hacked without the government noticing it and the informations are jumbled
or altered and gives erroneous data? Although using technology as a general

28
House Bill 0000011, 16
th
Cong, 1
st
Sess (July 1, 2013)
18


sense makes life easier, it also gives easier access to people with illegal or
immoral intentions to a vast record of Filipino citizens.
The card also contains health records, if one has been diagnosed
for certain disease or ailment and he/she applied for work, the employer can
see such record and may be a factor why he/she will not be accepted.


Privacy
The card contains a lot of information about a person and if it was
lost or the database was hacked, such information can be made to public
without the permission of the person.


Cost
The costs for printing and maintaining the card, other staffing
issues add to the total economic costs, including hiring, firing, training,
administration, holiday leave, sick leave and issue of cards overseas. There are
103,775,002 million Filipinos as of July 2012 as estimated, just imagine how
much would it cost the government and such funds came from tax, from
people.
29



V. COMMENT/ OPINION OF SOME GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

President of the republic Of Philippines- President Aquino is cool to
the proposal to revive the national identification system aimed at cutting red
tape and increasing productivity among Filipinos. Deputy presidential

29
CIA World Factbook, Philippines Demographics Profile 2013, Index Mundi, (February 21,
2013), http://www.indexmundi.com/philippines/demographics_profile.html)
19


spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President has apprehensions over the
previous proposals because of the privacy aspect. Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara
has filed House Bill 11 or the Filipino ID bill as a practical and doable way to
facilitate and streamline government transactions. Valte said they were open to
review Bicharas proposal to check whether there were new provisions
compared to the measures filed before.
30


COMELEC-Approval of the proposed bill can lead to systematized
voters registration. A national ID system could prevent a repeat of the chaos
that marked the 10-day registration of voters for the barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.
The poll body admitted that a national ID system would simplify the voters
registration process. According to the COMELCs spokesman James Jimenez,
They never opposed proposals for a national ID system because they know it
would simplify the registration system, that they dont have objection. But
Jimenez said the COMELECs concern is the database that would be used in
coming up with the national ID cards. COMELEC do not share their database
which contains voters information that is also the reason why they are not
included in Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), which was adopted by the
government to harmonize the identification systems of government agencies
and government and controlled corporations. A voters ID contains information
such as the voters name, signature, address, date of birth, sex, photograph,
the number of polling precinct and voting center where he or she is registered,
as well as the Voters Identification Number. Jimenez also said that having a
national ID system might also lead to online registration of voters, which is
currently not allowed by law. According to COMELEC, around 52 million voters
took part in the May 13, 2013 polls. Jimenez said they are expecting the

30
The Philippine Star, Noy cool to national ID system, (August 4, 2013),
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/04/1048211/noy-cool-national-id-system
20


number to increase after registrants for the barangay and SK elections reached
1.2 million and 2.3 million, respectively.
31

Senate President Pro Tempore- Ralph Recto said the PhilHealth card
could serve this purpose while taking away the fears of others about their right
to privacy. Recto has been advocating the use of the PhilHealth card as the
national ID. According to him the benefits one may derive from a PhilHealth
card are clear to the bearer, unlike a card which was conceived with the
security of the state in mind. People will be happy carrying this card because it
will help them in a medical emergency. He said the PhilHealth card is ideal as a
national ID because it merely contains basic information about the member.
Enacted in 1995, Republic Act 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act of
1995 calls for the universal and compulsory coverage of all Filipinos in
PhilHealth. Once enrolled, a member will be given a health insurance ID card,
which the PhilHealth issues so that it can identify the member, verify his
eligibility, and record his utilization of benefits. It is not invasive of ones
privacy. The information supplied is limited to basic ones that the card wont
appear as a curriculum vitae. He added that the current format of the
PhilHealth card would have to be redesigned to meet the specs of a good
national ID.
32


VI. CONCLUSION and RESEARCHERS VIEW

There are always pros and cons but a good law needs good
implementation, execution and administration.

31
The Philippine Star, Noy cool to national ID system, (August 4, 2013),
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/04/1048211/noy-cool-national-id-system
32
id.
21


Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up liberty for security will
get neither." I do not agree.
I am in favor of implementation of National Identification Card. It
previously failed for several times because of privacy but for me, if you are not
doing something against the law then whats with the hang back? Say
informations like medical records, travel history within or outside the country or
credit transactions will be in the card, so what if it will be seen by the
government? It will not be showed to the public and if it is needed to be seen
then just show it to prove what is needed to be proved. There will be
transparency and deception, scam and fraud can be avoided and prevented. The
ID Card does not prohibit you to those usual things you do, its concern is about
ones identity and its veracity and I do not see any problem with that. Also, I
personally agree to the advantages that it can bring. Requirement of multiple
IDs is really a hassle. As for me, I am a student and I have one ID, it is
problematic for me to conform to that requirement. I even go to the post office
and apply for postal ID to have additional ID. That is my case, for sure it is
harder on the part of people who are not studying or working, or if working do
not have ID. Long lines and very slow transactions in government offices is so
usual that it was almost referred to as normal. But it was not! People may get
used to such but there should be reformation and improvement and this
Filipino ID for me will be a great help.
Implementation would be hard and would really take time since its
covers all citizens of the Philippines. The bill still needs to pass through a lot
since it just hurdled the 2nd reading in the House of Representatives. I hope it
will become a law.