EDITORIAL - Nothing to hide

The government, one militant group warned the other day, was preparing a central database for all citizens. The group made the observation as it opposed the launch of a national identification system through the consolidation of information stored in several government agencies.

The majority of Filipinos who supported a national ID system, as shown in a recent poll taken by Social Weather Stations, must be mystified by the warning. What’s wrong with a central database? Every law-abiding citizen of the Philippines is supposed to have an official record of his existence, from his birth to his schooling to his employment and tax payments. The problem is that all these records are stored mostly on paper in various government offices. It would certainly facilitate record keeping to have all information consolidated in one computerized database.

An accurate storehouse of basic information on the citizenry will not only make it easier to track down criminals but also facilitate government budgeting and planning for development programs. A central database should even cut red tape in several government offices. And if the price for this is to carry around a national ID card, the way all motorists must bring a driver’s license each time they drive, what’s the fuss?

The national ID system, when fully implemented, will not be a mere security tool, although that will be its most striking feature for those who have something to hide. Anonymity is desirable only for criminals, terrorists and rebels whose sympathizers in their political fronts are expectedly raising a howl over the launch of the system.

It is unfortunate, however, that Malacañang appeared to be less than forthcoming about the launch of the national ID. There is nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of in this system. But the seeming surreptitiousness in the way the executive order was issued by Malacañang left some quarters leery. It also raised doubts about the success of the implementation of a system already steeped in controversy.

Many things can go wrong with this system. Information stored in the database must be accurate; the ID cards must be tamper-proof. The government must do everything right, giving critics no reason to exult later, "I told you so!"