Use of fake IDs 'trivializes' PWDs' real struggles, says CHR

MANILA, Philippines — The proliferation of fraudulent identification cards for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is not just a crime, but an "affront to the dignity and rights" of the disability sector, the Commission on Human Rights said.

In a statement on Monday, December 23, the human rights body expressed concern over the use of fake PWD IDs to wrongfully access privileges and discounts mandated by Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. 

These acts "undermine the integrity of these privileges and trivialize the legitimate struggles" of PWDs, the human rights body said.

While fake PWD IDs have been flagged in previous years, businesses have been calling out what they see as a disproportionate rise in the number of people recently availing of discounts. As a result, some business practices have also responded with policies that diminish benefits for true PWD ID holders.

The Senate earlier this month held an inquiry into the tax leakages caused by the proliferation of fraudulent PWD IDs. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who presided over the hearing, estimated that there are at least 8.5 million illegitimate card holders in the country — almost nine times more than actual registered PWDs. 

The Senate inquiry also surfaced findings that show some of the fake IDs can be bought online for P500 to P1,500.

As a result, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has vowed to create a unified ID system that will allow businesses to track and verify actual ID holders in real-time. The CHR said the system aims to "enhance transparency and accountability."

The human rights body also commended the Bureau of Internal Revenue for its "national crackdown on the sale and use of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities." 

"We commend and support these initiatives. They are crucial in safeguarding the benefits and privileges accorded to persons with disabilities while ensuring that resources are allocated to those who genuinely need them," the CHR said.

In its 2023 audit of the National Council for Disability Affairs, the Commission on Audit flagged the current technical issues that have marred the government's migration of data to its existing registry of PWDs. This deprived half a million PWDs of benefits and services in 2023, according to state auditors.

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