ENTATIVES

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 49 JUL 2016
First Regular Session ) F

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES|

introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rolriguez, Jr.
2 REGISTRATION UNIT
House Bill No. 1687 | guts ano invex SERVICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No, 4213 during the 15" Congress
where it was approved by the Committee on Revision of Laws and substituted with House
Bill No, 6895. It was again re-filed during the 16" Congress,

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 ikewise be lessened.

With a National ID system, govemment transactions are easily facilitated and
immediately responded to. The National 1D will serve as the official identification of a Filipino
citizen or alien permanent resident dealing with department, bureau, agency, or office of
the govemment or any governmentowned 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.

‘A 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 intemet 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
iliterate

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is eamnestly sought

Mt

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

“Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. _168'7

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 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 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 (Filipino ID Card). it shall gradually concert and consolidate all existing Govemment-
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, family name by virtue of court order or by application
of law, such as married woman who adopts the surname of the husband;
C. For lost or destroyed ID cards;
D. For other revisions that may be deemed necessary by the card holder 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 Filipino 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 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 pre-existing 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 and the Department of
Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices. - The Philippine
Statistics Authority (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 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the PSA, shall handle
registration of Filipinos residing abroad. The above-mentioned 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

¢) releasing the Filipino ID 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 office of the Local Civil Registrar of the city or
municipality where one is a resident. Likewise, every Filipino residing abroad shall apply for
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 Local Civil
Registrar (LCR) 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 Local Civil Registry, is directed to conduct mobile registration
to ensure 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 in
granting additional benefits and privileges to the Filipino ID cardholders.

SEC. 8. Functional Uses of the Filipino ID Card. — The Filipino 1D card shall be presented
and honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth, and all other personal
circumstances such as the following
1. Alll transactions with the government, including
a. Application for passport and driver's license;
b. Filing applications for any services and benefits offered by the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (Phithealth) and Home Development Mutual
Fund (HDMF);


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

2. Proof of identity, status, age, address, for admission in all learning institutions as well
as for employment purposes;

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

4. Proof of identity, status, age and address for transactions in banking and financial
institutions;

5. Voting identification purposes; and

6. 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 Reacquisition 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 Local Civil Registrar, Embassy, or Consular Office
where the person is residing within a certain period as shalll 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 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;

c) when the interest of public health or safety so requires; and

d) upon 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 1D. - 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 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 be used against any person, except in
cases stipulated in Section 10 of this Act.

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 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 authorized 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. — 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 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 Philippine Statistics Authority in coordination with relevant agencies, such as
the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Economic and Development Authority,
Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and
Development, Department of Science and Technology, Commission on Elections,
Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation and the Bureau of Immigration shall promulgate rules and
fegulations 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 Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Foreign
Affairs 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.

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 after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,