Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1621

Introduced by Representative KAREN HOPE F. GARCIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XI of the Constitution on the Accountability of Public Officers provides in
Section 1 that, “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times
be accountable to the people [and] serve them with utmost [x x x] efficiency.” The Code of
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees provides in
Section 4: “All govemment resources and powers of their respective offices must be
employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, particularly to avoid
wastage in public funds and revenues.”

In 2018, the Philippine Identification System Act’ was passed to achieve its declared
policy “to establish a single national identification system referred to as the “Philippine
Identification System” or the “PhilSys* for all citizens and resident aliens of the Republic of
the Philippines to promote seamless delivery of service, to improve the efficiency,
transparency, and targeted delivery of public and social services, to enhance administrative
governance, to reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape to avert fraudulent
transactions and misrepresentations to strengthen financial inclusion, and to promote ease
of doing business.”

It was primarily established to “provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and
resident aliens as a means of simplifying public and private transactions. The PhilSys aims
to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the
government and the private sector, subject to appropriate authentication measures based on
a biometric identification system.”*

The thorough implementation of the PhilSys ID has been difficult and
incomprehensive due to the recent pandemic and logistical challenges. And despite the
above pronouncement concerning the objective of PhilSys, certain goverment agencies
and private entities still require multiple forms of identification for particular transactions,
practically meaning that each ID, standing alone, is invalid. This unduly burdens the public
when such agencies can definitely ensure the integrity, security, and reliability of their
government-issued identification cards or documents. This has also brought ordinary

* Rep. Act No. 11055
Id, §3.


Filipinos much difficulty for various reasons—not all have applied for or can acquire a
PhilSys ID and not everyone has another valid ID or multiple IDs for instance.

More troubling is the inconsistency in the recognition of certain valid government-
issued IDs. Individuals with disabilities, for example, often face significant inconvenience.
Unable to obtain a driver's license, which is commonly accepted as a form of identification,
they find that their Person-With-Disability (PWD) ID is inexplicably not accepted in the
systems of some agencies and private establishments. In extreme cases, individuals may
lack the time or resources to apply for the specific identification required by an agency or
private business, even though they possess another valid ID duly accepted elsewhere.

To complement the Philippine Identification System Act and to address the absurdity
of requiring multiple pieces of identification, this Act mandates that one (1) valid ID is
sufficient for all public and private transactions. It aims to eliminate the need for multiple
identification documents, ensuring that every person can more easily access services,
benefits, and transactions with both government and private entities.

This thus provides a comprehensive list of valid government-issued IDs, mandating
their recognition by all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, local government units, and
agencies of the government, as well as all of the private sector. The Act allows flexibility for
other forms of identification deemed sufficient by individual agencies or businesses.

The bill also rationalizes the policy for renewal of PWD IDs, particularly for individuals
with permanent and incurable conditions as certified by a physician, ensuring that they are
not subjected to unnecessary renewals.

Furthermore, penalties are imposed to prevent the issuance of spurious IDs and their
fraudulent use. Data privacy and security is given due protection.

Finally, the Anti-Red Tape Authority, mandated to ensure ease of business among all
agencies of the Philippine goverment, is tasked to monitor and ensure the faithful
implementation of this Act.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

ley

Rep. KAREN HOPE F. GARCIA
3rd District, Province of Cebu


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bit No. 1621

Introduced by Representative KAREN HOPE F. GARCIA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE SUFFICIENCY OF A SINGLE FORM OF IDENTIFICATION FOR
ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TRANSACTIONS, MANDATING THE RECOGNITION OF
SPECIFIED FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION, RATIONALIZING THE POLICY CONCERNING
PERSON-WITH-DISABILITY IDENTIFICATION CARDS, PROVIDING PENALTIES
THEREFOR, AND OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "One Valid ID Law".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote the efficiency and seamless resolution of transactions. Thus, the sufficiency of a
single form or one (1) piece of identification (ID) for all public and private transactions is
hereby mandated. It is also declared the policy of the State to simplify and streamline
identification processes, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and enhance service delivery across
all government and private sector entities. In line with this policy, the State shall ensure that
all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, local government units (LGUs), and agencies of
the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), as well
as the private sector, recognize a standard list of identification documents as valid proof of
identity for official transactions.

Section 3. Recognized Forms of Identification. - The following forms of
identification shall be recognized as valid proof of identity to transact with all branches,
subdivisions, instrumentalities, LGUs, and agencies of the government, including GOCCs as
well as all private and non-government entities:

{a) Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) PhillD or PhilSys Digital ID or
ePhillD;

(b) Philippine Passport;

(c) Driver's License;

(4) Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID;

(e) Philippine Postal Corporation 1D;


() Voter's 1D;

(9) Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose
Identification (UMID) Card;

(h) Social Security System (SSS) Card;

(i) PhilHealth ID;

(i) Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID;

{k) Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) 1D;

(1) Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) ID;

(m) Senior Citizen Card;

(n) _ Person-With-Disability (PWD) ID;

(0) Solo Parent 1D;

(p) — Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID;

(a) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID;

() Seafarers’ Identity Document (SID) and Seafarers’ Record Book (SRB); and

(s) Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) or Immigrant Certificate of Registration
(ICR)

Section 4. Sufficiency of Only One (1) ID for Transactions; Mandatory
Recognition. - No person shall be required to provide more than one (1) piece of
identification for any transaction, public or private. All branches, subdivisions,
instrumentalities, local government units (LGUs), and agencies of the government, including
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), as well as all private and non-
government entities, are hereby mandated to recognize any single form of identification
listed under Section 3 as sufficient proof of identity for accessing business, services,
benefits, permits, clearances, and other transactions.

Section 5. Other Forms of Identification. - The mandatory recognition provided in
the next preceding section is without prejudice to the acceptance of other or secondary
identification cards or documents that may be deemed sufficient by any government branch,
subdivision, instrumentality, LGU, agency, GOCC, or private or non-government entity under
their respective rules, regulations, or policies; Provided, That, at all times, only one (1) ID or
a single form of identification shall be required for any transaction.

Section 6. Integrity and Reliability of Identification Cards and Documents; Data
Privacy and Security. - All government agencies responsible for issuing valid identification
cards or documents shall ensure the integrity, security, and reliability of the identification
cards or documents issued by them and the data and information stored in the system,
database, registry, directory, index, or records conceming such.

Section 7. Emergence of New Form of Identification. - Should another
government-issued ID become available after the passage of this Act, the same shall be
recognized in the same manner as those provided in Section 3.

Section 8. Exemption of Renewal for PWDs; Lifetime Validity. - PWDs who have
been certified by a licensed physician as having a permanent and incurable or otherwise
untreatable disability shall be exempt from the periodic renewal of their PWD ID. These
PWDs shall be accordingly issued IDs with lifetime validity, which may be renewed in case of
loss or significant damage.


Section 9. Role of the Anti-Red Tape Authority. - The Anti-Red Tape Authority
established by Rep. Act No. 9485, as amended by Rep. Act No. 11032, shall monitor the
operations of the government and ensure the faithful implementation of this Act.

In accordance with Section 7, the Anti-Red Tape Authority shall release a list of
recognized forms of identification for mandatory recognition as necessary.

Section 10. Updating of Systems, Processes, Policies, Rules, and/or
Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the effective date of this Act, all branches,
subdivisions, instrumentalities, LGUs and agencies of the government, including GOCCs as
well as all private and non-government entities shall update their respective systems,
processes, policies, rules, and/or regulations to reflect the mandatory recognition of the
forms of identification outlined in Section 3 of this Act and provide for the sufficiency of any
‘one (1) of them for any transaction.

Section 11. Penalties. - Any person or entity who, without just and sufficient cause,
shall refuse to accept, acknowledge and/or recognize the forms of identification provided by
this Act or in the updated listings created by the AntiRed Tape Authority, after due
authentication or verification, shall be fined in the amount of five hundred thousand pesos
(PHP 500.000.00).

Any person who utilizes govemment-issued identification cards or documents in an
unlawful manner or use the same to commit any fraudulent act or for other unlawful
purposes shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more
than two (2) years or a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (PHP 50,000.00) but not
more than five hundred thousand pesos (PHP 500,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the
court.

The penalty of three (3) years to six (6) years imprisonment and a fine of one million
pesos (PHP 1,000,000.00) to three million pesos (PHP 3,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon
any offender found guilty of any of the following acts or omissions:

(a) The willful submission of or causing to be submitted a fictitious name or false
information in the application, renewal, or updating of govemment-issued
identification cards or documents by any person;

(b) The unauthorized printing, preparation, creation, or issuance of government-
issued identification cards or documents by any person;

(c) Willful falsification, mutilation, alteration, or tampering of government-issued
identification cards or documents by any person;

(d) The use of a government-issued identification card or document or unauthorized
possession of such, without any reasonable excuse by any person other than the one
to whom it was issued or the possession of a fake, falsified, or altered government-
issued identification card or document; or

(e) The willful transfer of a government-issued identification card or document to any
other person.


The penalty of six (6) years to ten (10) years imprisonment and a fine of three million
pesos (PHP 3,000,000.00) to five million pesos (PHP 5,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon
any offender found guilty of any of the following acts or omissions:

(f) Any person who shall collect or use personal data during the authentication or
verification process of government-issued identification cards or documents for any
purpose other than authentication or verification;

(g) Any person who shall willfully use or disclose data or information stored in the
systems, databases, registries, directories, indexes, or records of government
agencies in connection with the issuance of identification cards or documents; or

(h) Any person, not covered by the succeeding paragraphs and without any authority,
who shall access or process data or information stored or processed by government
agencies which issue identification cards or documents.

If financial profit resulted from accessing, disclosing, or using the data or information,
the guilty person shall, in addition, pay twice the amount gained from such act.

Malicious disclosure of data or information by officials, employees, or agents who
have custody of or are responsible for the management or maintenance of the system,
database, registry, directory, index, or records related to the identification cards or
documents issued by the government agency to which they belong shall be penalized with
ten (10) years to fifteen (15) years imprisonment and a fine of five million pesos (PHP
5,000.000.00) to ten million pesos (PHP 10,000,000.00).

If financial profit resulted from such disclosure or processing of the data or
information, the guilty person shall, in addition, pay twice the amount gained from such act.

Officials, employees or who have custody of or are responsible for the management
or maintenance of the system, database, registry, directory, index, or records related to the
identification cards or documents issued by the goverment agency to which they belong
shall be penalized with three (3) years to six (6) years imprisonment and a fine of one million
pesos (PHP 1,000,000.00) to three million pesos (PHP 3,000,000.00) if by their own
negligence, their system, database, registry, directory, index, or records is/are accessed by
unauthorized persons, or the data or information contained therein is processed without any
authority from any existing law.

In all instances, if the violation was committed by a government official or employee,
the penalty shall include perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any public office or
employment in the government, including any GOCCs, and their subsidiaries.

The penalties imposed by this Section shall be in addition to those imposed on acts
or omissions punishable by existing penal or other laws.

Section 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full
force and effect.


Section 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders
and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

Section 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,