Lacson, Biazon welcome launch of unified ID system

Two opposition senators welcomed the launching of a unified government identification system but emphasized the need to expand its scope.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said the current unified government ID should be expanded eventually to include the general public.

"I would like to congratulate the President for passing this executive issuance mandating the adoption of a unified multi-purpose ID system. But this is only confined to government employees. I don’t think it serves anything except probably that it can provide us with a testing mechanism on how a national ID system could be run credibly," Biazon said.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson also called for the expansion of the ID system as well as the support of all sectors in the initiative.

"That’s one endeavor that should be supported but it should be expanded. The coverage should not be limited to government personnel," he said.

"If this is limited to the government and it is the private citizens who are transacting with the government, then it’s not enough. It is better to cover everyone and not just government personnel if we are to comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court," Lacson added.

At Malacañang, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the people’s ID card would enable Filipinos to avail of vital government services.

"This ID system will further increase confidence in the economy and project the Philippines as a disciplined and forward looking society," Bunye said.

Biazon and Lacson, both authors of bills calling for the implementation of a national ID system, said the program should be supported though not necessarily at this time.

Biazon said it may not be the right time to implement a national ID system because of the public’s lack of trust in the government.

He recalled that he filed his bill during the Ninth Congress with the goal of using the national ID to facilitate transactions between the public and the government.

The proposal, however, failed during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos because the ID system that was proposed then included some elements of police work.

"We have a problem there. Because of the weakness of law enforcement institutions, there was suspicion," Biazon said. "Until today we still have to develop our trust and confidence in our government institutions that this (ID system) is not going to be abused. Again, the credibility, integrity of institutions (is the issue)." — With Paolo Romero