House revives national ID bill

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on revision of laws has revived the controversial bill requiring a national identification card system that many feared would be used by the government to spy on its critics and invade the privacy of individuals.

The panel said a national ID system is urgent and necessary to streamline transactions and cut red tape in the government.

The national ID system was pushed by previous administrations but was never implemented due to strong opposition from various quarters.

Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias Agabas, chair of the committee, said various bills for a national ID system have been consolidated into one bill and will be taken up for committee approval immediately.

The pending bill consolidates House Bill 131 authored by Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara and House Bill 241 filed by Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo.

Romualdo said there is a need to consolidate the various identification cards being issued by government agencies like the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, the Professional Regulation Commission, and the Land Transportation Office.

“However, an estimated 60 percent of our citizens of legal age do not have a valid identification card, which can show proof of their identity when dealing with government agencies and private institutions,” he said.

The lawmaker said no such information shall be released to any agency, office or instrumentality of government or otherwise, nor shall the same be used against any person without lawful order of the court.

He said each cardholder shall be assigned a permanent number which shall be non-transferable and valid for the lifetime of the holder.

The IDs shall be tamper-proof using available modern security technology.

Bichara said the bill seeks to institutionalize a national voluntary information personal card to be known by its acronym “VIP card” in order to facilitate and streamline governmental transactions, cut red tape and increase productivity.

“The national ID system has been time and again proposed in Congress. However, said idea, though how novel and noble its purposes are, has always been met with stiff opposition, especially from human rights groups and other similar organizations fearing that this might be used by the State to violate the rights of individuals,” he said.

Bichara said the issuance of an identification card is on a voluntary basis only.

“Any information given in the system shall be considered as privileged and cannot be used as evidence against the holder in any criminal proceedings,” he said.