RECENVCD

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 896

REGISTRATION UNIT

Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The existing multiple identification system in the government is one of the
causes of red tape in the bureaucracy. Individuals have to present various IDs
issued by different government agencies in order to prove their identity. On the
side of the government, the issuance of IDs from different agencies have created
unnecessary and costly redundancies, while at the same time entailing higher
costs.

This bill seeks to streamline and integrate the issuance of identification
cards in the government in order to simplify the processes relative to the public
and private transactions of the citizens. Moreover, the establishment of a unified
identification system will enhance the integrity and reliability of government
issued identification cards in private transactions and prevent violation of laws
including false names and identifications.

In view of the foregoing, the enactment of this legislation is earnestly
recommended.

REP. GLORYA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Second District, Pampanga

OUSEW REPRESENTATIVES

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 696

Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Filipino Identification System Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social
order that shall ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from
poverty through policies that provide adequate social services and improved quality of life for all.
Towards this end, an effective identification system is hereby established to facilitate transactions

with the government and to simplify the processes relative to public and private services.

SEC. 3. The Filipino Identification System. ~ The Filipino Identification System herein referred to as
the “ID system” is hereby established and instituted as an economic and social tool towards the
attainment of a progressive society through the provision of efficient services to 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 (Filipino ID card). It shall
gradually concert and consolidate all existing Government-initiated identification systems into one

integrated and efficient identification system.

SEC. 4. The Filipino Identification (ID) Card. - Every Filipino, whether residing in the Philippines
or abroad, is mandated to register personal information required by the ID system, and upon
application shall be issued a non-transferrable Filipino ID card with an ID number that shall be valid
for life, subject to replacement only under the following circumstances:

(a) When a child reaches the legal age of eighteen (18) years old;

(b) When there is change in name and family name by virtue of court order or by application of
law, such as a married woman adopting the surname of the husband;

(©) For lost or destroyed ID card;

(d) For other revisions that may be deemed necessary by the cardholder such as changes in the
facial features due to age or medical intervention.

Filipino cardholders upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years old are required to renew their
Filipino ID card, free of charge

The Fili

ino ID card shall be made of tamper-proof security material. It shall have on its face
the imprinted photograph, name, birth date, gender, date of issue, signature of owner, the

corresponding individual serial number issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and such


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other data as may be deemed necessary. The Filipino ID card shall also have the capability to store at
least the biometric data of the individual cardholder.

The initial application and issuance of the Filipino ID card shall be free of charge as part of the
government's social service responsibility. A replacement fee shall be paid by the cardholder.

The pertinent details for applicants with preexisting government issued identification card shall

be utilized and honored as reference in the issuance of the Filipino ID card.

SEC. 5. Roles and Functions of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) through the Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices. - The PSA, as the implementing
agency, shall determine, validate and administer the data and materials required to avail of the
benefits of the identification system.

The DFA, in coordination with the PSA, shall handle the registration of Filipinos residing
abroad. The abovementioned government offices shall create a special unit which shall be responsible
for:

(a) Accepting applications for a Filipino ID card;

(b) Processing of such applications; and

(c) Releasing the Filipino ID card to the applicants.

SEC. 6. Registration. - Upon the effectivity of this Act and when the ID system has become
operational, every Filipino residing in the Philippines shall apply for the registration and issuance of
the Filipino ID card at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of the city or municipality where one is
a resident. Likewise, every Filipino residing abroad shall apply for the registration and issuance of
the Filipino ID card at the nearest Philippine Embassy or consular office of the country where they
are residing, The PSA, through the LCRO or the Philippine Embassy or consular offices abroad, is
mandated to issue a Filipino ID card within ninety (90) days from the registration of live birth.

The parents or the legal guardian of the minor, incompetent, or disabled person shall be
responsible for the application and safekeeping of the issued Filipino ID card.

The PSA, through the LCRO, is directed to conduct mobile registration to ensure the

registration of all Filipinos including indigenous Filipinos and those in the remote communities.

SEC. 7. Features Involving the Private Sector and the Local Government Units. - ‘The PSA shall
encourage the cooperation of the private sector and the local government units (LGUs) in granting

additional benefits and privileges to Filipino ID cardholders.

SEC. 8. Functional Uses of the Filipino ID Card. - The Filipino ID card shall be presented and
honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth and all other personal circumstances such
as the following:

(@) All transactions with the government, including:

(1) Application for passport and driver's license;

(2) Filing of applications for any services and benefits offered by the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF); and


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(3) Application for clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), courts,
prosecutor and the police;

(b) Proof of identity, status, age and address for admission in all learning institutions as well as
for employment purposes;

(6) Availment of benefits or privileges afforded by law to senior citizens;

(d) Proof of identity, status, age and address for transactions in banking and financial
institutions;

(©) Voting identification purposes; and

(f) Such other purposes and uses which the PSA may prescribe.

When the Filipino ID card is presented to any government agency or for identification
purposes, no other additional identification card shall be required.

Except in instances allowed under the provisions of Republic Act No. 9225 or “The
Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003”, the Filipino ID card shall motu proprio be

rendered invalid and ineffective upon the loss of Filipino citizenship.

SEC. 9. Change of Personal Status and Residence. - Any person who intends to effect changes in
his Filipino ID including change in personal status, residence, or any material data, shall have the
duty to inform the LCRO, the embassy or consular office where the person is residing, within a
certain period as shall be prescribed by the PSA.

SEC. 10.Protection Against Unlawful Disclosure Of Information/Records. - No person may publish,
disseminate or give to third parties or entities including government enforcement agencies any
information obtained in connection with the application for the Filipino ID card, including the use
thereof except in the following cases:

(a) When the holder of the Filipino ID card expressly authorizes the disclosure of such
information to a third person, entity or agency;

(b) In the event of accident, disaster or fortuitous events, when information on the medical
history of the holder such as the blood type or special medical needs or other relevant information are
needed by medical institutions and health service workers;

(6) When the interest of public health or safety so requires; and

(d) Upon the order of any competent court.

Any information obtained as a result of unlawful disclosure under this Act shall be

inadmissible as evidence in any criminal proceedings against the holder of the Filipino ID card,

SEC. 11.Safeguards on the Filipino ID. - The PSA, as repository of all data, shall create and
maintain a Filipino Citizen Registry that will contain the registered records and information of
persons issued with the Filipino ID card. The PSA, as the main issuing authority of the official
Filipino ID card, shall institute the necessary measures to safeguard the information provided in the
Filipino ID card. No such information shall be released to any agency, office or instrumentality,
government or otherwise, nor shall it be used against any person except in cases stipulated in Section
10 of this Act.


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The PSA, in pursuance of its mandated statistical function, may generate and release aggregated
information from the Filipino Citizen Registry in the form of summaries and statistical tables:
Provided, That no reference to an individual shall appear and that no person can be readily identified
in the released information.
The information in the Filipino Citizen Registry shall be categorized in a manner that allows

proper safeguards in data access, security, and change management.

SEC. 12. Penal Provisions. - Any person who knowingly uses false information in applying for
the issuance of a Filipino ID card or procures one through fraud and utilizes the card in an unlawful
manner shall be punished with a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more
than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or an imprisonment of not less than six (6) months
but not more than two (2) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Any person who shall willfully and unjustifiably refuse to accept, acknowledge or recognize the
Filipino ID card as the only official identification of the owner thereof shall also be punished with the
same penalties or imprisonment stated in the preceding paragraph.

Any public official or employee who connives with the offender in committing the acts
mentioned in the last two (2) preceding paragraphs or, on his own, causes the issuance of an
unauthorized Filipino ID card or approves the application for the same, despite the knowledge of the
existence of fraud or false information, shall suffer the corresponding penalties imposed in the last
two (2) preceding paragraphs and shall suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from
government service.

The penalties imposed in this section shall be in addition to those imposed on acts punishable

by existing penal and other laws, including acts of omission.

SEC. 13.Failure to Present Filipino ID Card. - Failure of any person to present a Filipino ID card
when transacting business with the government or with private entities requiring its use and
presentation shall not be a ground to deny or limit the grant of basic government and private service

as long as such transaction is qualified under existing laws.

SEC. 14.Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days upon approval of this
Act, the PSA, in coordination with relevant agencies such as the DFA, the National Economic and
Development Authority, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of
Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Science and Technology, the Commission on
Elections, the GSIS, the SSS, the PhilHealth and the Bureau of Immigration, shall promulgate rules
and regulations and exchange existing technologies and best practices on the issuance of

identification cards to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 15.Funding. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the budget of the PSA and the DFA in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 16.Separability Clause, - If any provision, section or part of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair any other provisions,

sections or parts hereof.


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SEC. 17.Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations which are

inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,