SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_) 05 AU
FIRST REGULAR SESSION ) UG 2013

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES wf

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B, Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2249
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 4213 by the undersigned
Rufus B, Rodriguez during the 15" Congress where it was approved by the Committee
on Revision of Laws and substituted with House Bill No, 6895

All over the world, countries like Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, France,
Guatemala, Portugal, Chile, Belgium, Kenya, Spain, Malaysia, Greece, Brazil, Italy,
Argentina and Singapore are all using a National ID system where citizens carry one
single ID as proof of their identity and to sue in and facilitate all government
transactions, This saves time and other resources because a person's personal
information can be easily accessed through the ID. This ID, which can be used in both
public and private transactions, will serve as an effective tool in upgrading the speed
and quality of public service in the country, Also, the opportunity for graft and corruption
will likewise be lessened.

With a National ID system, government transactions are easily facilitated and
immediately responded to. The National |D will serve as the official identification of a
Filipino citizen or alien permanent resident dealing with department, bureau, agency,
‘or office of the government or any government-owned or controlled corporation, firm
or establishment, including government financial institutions. It will do away with the
need to present other documents required for identification purposes and would
facilitate, for instance, the issuance of passports and other official documents required
by our citizens from the Government. It will also make the collection of benefits,
payment of fees and the collection of taxes much easier and more efficient.

Aside from the above mentioned benefits, a National ID system would also be a
tremendous help in the fight against terrorism and strengthen a country's national
security. A briefing paper issued by a private US think tank argues that had there been
an ID system in place in the United States, the September 11 terrorists, some of whom
lived in the US and were on government watch list, would have been caught had they
tried to board a plane or purchase anything using their credit cards. An ID system would
have meant that a computer chip embedded in the ID card could have easily identified
anybody who is on a government watch list.


‘AA National ID system would also lessen problems on immigration, tax frauds,
other crimes and election fraud, Because of the technology and data-driven nature of
today's society, a National ID system could easily track offenders, And while a National
ID system would not totally eradicate problems, it would definitely decrease the number
of offenders and deter possible offenders from pushing thru with their nefarious plans.

“Red Tape” has been the most consistent problem plaguing the country's
bureaucracy which results in inefficiency, waste of time and money and the creation in
the minds of the public that he government is neglecting the people it is supposed to
serve.

‘And while the government has been constantly trying its best to eliminate this
problem and come up with solutions on how to improve government service, somehow,
the system does not improve. One-stop centers and the use of the internet have greatly
reduced some of these procedures but not every area in the country has access to
these one-stop shops and even the internet. Also, there are still numerous Filipinos who
are computer illiterate

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RUFUS’B. RO! UEZ

Z,
MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No._ 224 9

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 system is hereby
established to curb the perennial problem of red tape in the government bureaucracy
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 "identification system" is hereby established and instituted as an
economic and social tool towards the attainment of a progressive society through
efficient services for 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. It shall gradually convert and consolidate all —_ existing
Government-initiated identification systems into one integrated and efficient
identification system.

SEC. 4. The Filipino Identification Card — Every Filipino, whether residing in the
Philippines or abroad is mandated to have a non-transferable Filipino Identification Card
(Filipino ID) that shall be valid for at least ten (10) years and subject to _ renewal
thereafter. The Filipino |.D. shall be made of a tamper-proof security material. It shall
have on its face the imprinted photograph, name, birth date, date of issue, signature of
the owner, the corresponding individual serial number issued by the NSO and such
other necessary data as may be deemed necessary. The Filipino |.D. shall also have
the capability to store at least the biometric data of the individual cardholder.

The application and issuance of the Filipino I.D. shall be initially free of charge as.
part of the government social service responsibility. The succeeding issuances shall be
charged to the cardholder.


The pertinent details for applicants with pre-existing government issued
identification card shall be utilized and honored as reference in the issuance of the
Filipino 1.D.

SEC 5. Roles and Functions of the National Statistics Office and the Department of
Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices — The National
Statistics Office (NSO) in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
through the Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices shall determine, validate and
administer the data and materials required to avail the benefits of the identification
system.

The above-mentioned government offices shall create a special unit, which shall
be responsible for

a) accepting all the applications for Filipino ID;

b) processing of such applications; and

) releasing the Filipino I.D. to the applicants.

SEC 6. Registration - Every Filipino residing in the Philippines shall, within six (6)
months after the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations subsequent to
the approval of this Act, is mandated to apply for the registration and issuance of the
Filipino |.D. at the office of the Local Civil Registrar’s Office of the city or municipality
where they are residing. Every Filipino residing abroad is mandated, within the same
period, to apply for the registration and issuance of the Filipino |.D. at the nearest
Philippine Embassy or Consular Office of the country where they are residing

In case of a child, incompetent person, or a disabled person unable to apply for
this purpose, the parents or legal guardians shall be responsible to file for such
application up to the time the child, reaches the age of majority or the ground of such
incompetence disappears, Parents or legal guardian of a child or an incompetent
person shall be in charge for the care and upkeep of the issued Filipino ID

SEC 7. Feature Involving the Private Sector and the Local Government Units - The
implementing agency shall encourage the cooperation of the private sector and the local
government units in granting additional benefits and privileges to the Filipino 1.D.
cardholders in consonance with the Private-Public Partnership Program of the
government,

SEC 8. Functional Uses of the Filipino 1.D. —The Filipino |.D. shall be presented and
honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth and all other personal
circumstances such as but not limited to the following
1. Alll transactions with the government;
2. Application for passport and driver's license;
3. Filing, applications for any services and benefits offered by the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System
(SSS), Philippine Health insurance Corporation (Philhealth) and Home
Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)


4. Proof of identity, status, age, address for admission in all schools,
colleges, _ learning institutions, and/or colleges and universities as well
as for employment purposes;

5. Availment of benefits or privileges afforded by law to senior citizens;

6. Proof of identity, status, age and address in banking and financial
institutions;

7. Application for National Bureau of Investigation clearance, fiscal and
police clearance;

8. Voting identification purposes;

9. Employees identification card with respect to government employees; and

10.Such other purpose and uses which the NSO may from time to time
prescribe.

When the Filipino 1.D. is presented to any qualified government agency for
identification purposes, no other additional identification card shall be required or is
necessary.

The Filipino |.D. shall motu proprio be rendered invalid and ineffective upon the
taking of the oath of allegiance of any Filipino to any another country exclusive of
Filipinos with dual citizenship.

SEC 9. Change of Personal Status and Residence — Any person changing personal
status, residence, or any material data in the circumstances of the issued Filipino |.D.
shall have the duty to inform the Local Civil Registrar, Embassy, or Consular Office
where the person is residing within a certain period as shall be prescribed by the
implementing agency.

SEC 10. Inadmissibility in Criminal Court Proceedings - Any information given by the
holder in connection to, or in relation to the issuance of the Filipino |.D. shall be deemed
inadmissible in any criminal proceedings against the holder.

SEC 11. Exceptions fo the Confidentiality 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 |. D. including the use thereof except in the following cases:

a. When the holder of the Filipino |.D. card expressly authorizes such person entity
‘or agency to procure such information;

b. In the event of accident, disaster or fortuitous events, when information on
medical history of the holder such as the blood type or special medical needs or
other relevant information are needed by medical and/or health workers: or

c. Upon order of any competent Court.

SEC 12. Safeguards on the Filipino |.D. - The National Statistics Office as repository of
all the data and the main issuing authority at the official Filipino |.D. shall institute the
necessary measures to safeguard the information provided in the Filipino I.D.

No such information shall be released to any agency, office or instrumentality,
government or otherwise, nor shall the same be used against any person, except in the
cases stipulated in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Section 11 of this Act: Provided,


however, that for purposes of ascertaining the authenticity of the Filipino |.D., the
National Statistics Office may issue a Certificate to attest to the issuance of such I.D.
stating the name of the person and its corresponding personal serial number.

SEC 13. Penal Provisions - Any person who knowingly uses false information in
applying for the issuance of a Filipino |.D. or procures a card through fraud or who
utilizes the card in an unlawful manner shall be punished with a fine of not less than
Five Thousand. Pesos (P5,000.00) 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 fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court.

‘Any person who shall willfully and unjustifiably refuse to accept, acknowledge or
recognize the Filipino |.D. as the only official identification of the owner thereof shall also
be punished with 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 authorized Filipino |.D. 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 paragraph and shall
suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from government service.

The penalties in this Section shall be imposed in addition to penalties imposed on
by existing penal and other laws for the same acts or omissions.

SEC 14. Failure to present of Filipino J.D. — Failure of any person to present Filipino. |.D.
when transacting business with the government or with private entities requiring the use
and presentation of the Filipino |. D. shall not be ground to deny or limit the basic
government and private services as long as such transaction is qualified under existing
laws.

SEC 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The NSO in consultation with the
Department of Foreign Affairs shall promulgate the rules and regulations in
implementing the provisions of this Act

SEC 16. Separabillty 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.

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 within fifteen (15) days from its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,