Ik
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1577
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INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is the duty of the Government to deliver the basic needs of the people. To realize 
this, an efficient system that can facilitate transactions with the government must be in place.
An integrated system of identification niust therefore be established to urgently 
address the concerns of the people. A unified national ID system is needed to simplify all the 
transactions entered into by the citizens in availing various government services. It aims to 
reduce the costs shouldered by the government and the public by using the existing multiple 
ID cards.
Under this bill, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shall determine, validate and 
administer the data and materials required to avail of the benefits of the identification system. 
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the PSA, shall handle 
the registration of Filipinos residing abroad.
A repository of all data shall be created to protect all the infomiation gathered in 
maintaining this ID system. No such information shall be released to any agency, office or 
instrumentality unless otherwise authorized.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
EMMANUELTirPACQUIAO


SEVKNTEENTil CONCRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PIIILIPPIiNES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1577
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r. . '• .rtrt.-r
'17 
S E P - 4  
P 4 : 1 6
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL
UIAO¥
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Filipino Identification
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System Act.”
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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 process relative 
to delivery of public services.
SEC. 3. 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 
citizens of the Republic of the Philippines through the issuance of the Filipino Identification 
Card (Fihpino ID card). It shall gradually concert and consolidate all existing Goveimnent- 
initiated identification systems into one integrated and efficient identification system.
SEC. 4. The Filipino Identification (ID) Card. -  Every Filipino, upon reaching the age of 
seven (7) years old, 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 based on the cardholder’s Birth Certificate
Number that shall be valid for life, subject to replacement only under the following 
eireumstances:
a. When there is a change in name and family name by virtue of court order or when a 
married woman decides to adopt the surname of the husband;
b. For lost or destroyed ID eard;
c. For other revisions that may be deemed necessary by the cardholder such as changes 
in the facial-feature due to age or medical intervention.


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The Filipino ID card shall be made of tamper-proof security material. It shall have on 
its face the imprinted photograph, name, gender, birthdate, place of birth, date of issue, 
signature of owner, the corresponding ID number based on the cardholder’s Birth Certificate 
Number, 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 preexisting government-issued identification 
card shall be utilized and honored as reference in the issuance of the Filipino ID card.
SEC 5. Roles and Function of the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department 
of Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Embassies and Consular Office. -  Tlie PSA, as the 
implementing agency, shall determine, validate and administer the data and materials 
required to avail of the benefits of the identification system. It shall assign a unique Common 
Reference Number based on the cardholder's Birth Certificate Number.
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 
Releasing the Filipino ID card to the applicants.
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SEC 6. Registration. -  Upon the effcctivity of the 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 for a minimal fee. 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 issued to 
said minor, incompetent or disabled person.
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.


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SEC. 8. Functional Uses of the Filipino ID Card. 
-  The Filipino ID card shall be
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presented and honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth and all other
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personal circumstances such as the following:
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a. All transactions with the government, including:
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Application for passport and driver;s license;
Filing of applications for any services and benefits offered by the 
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System 
(SSS), the Philippine Health Insurances Corporation (PhilHealth) and the 
Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF); and
Application for clearances from tlie National Bureau of Investigation 
(NBI), courts, prosecutor, and the police;
Proof of identity, status, age, and address for admission in all learning institutions 
as well as for employment purposes;
Availmcnt of benefits or privileges afforded by law to senior citizens;
Proof of identity, status, age and address for transactions in banking and financial 
institutions;
Voting identification purposes; and
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.
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Except in instances allowed under the provisions of Republic Act No. 9225 or “The
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Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003”, the Filipino ID card shall motu
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pioprio 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:
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When the holder of the Filipino ID card expressly authorizes the disclosure of 
such information to a third person, entity or agency;
In the event of accident, disaster or fortuitous events, when information on the 
medical history of the holder such ass the blood type or special medical needs or 
other relevant information are needed by medical institutions and health service 
workers;
When the interest of public health or safety so requires; and 
Upon the order of any competent court.


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Any infomiation obtained as a result of unlawful diselosure under this Aet shall be
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inadmissible as evidence in any criminal proceeding against the holder of the Filipino ID
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card.
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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 infonuation 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 Sec. 10 of this Act.
The PSA, in pursuance of its mandated statistical function, may generate and release 
aggregated information from the Filipino Citizeen 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 mamier 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 tlian six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both, at the 
discretion of the court.
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Any person who shall willfully and unjustifiably refuse to accept, acknowledge or
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recognize the Filipino ID card as the only official identification of the owner thereof shall
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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 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.


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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 Interior and Local Government, 
the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Science and 
Teclinology, the Commission on Elections, the GSIS, the SSS, the PhilHealth and the Bureau 
of Inmiigration 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.
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SEC. 15. Funding. —  The amount necessary to implement the provisions of tliis Act
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shall be included in the budget of PSA and the DFA in the annual General Appropriations
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Act.
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason or reasons, any part of the provision
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of this Act shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof
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which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, order, rules and regulations which 
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are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 18. Effectivity. -  Tliis Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publieation
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in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. The publication shall not be later than
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seven (7) days after the approval hereof.
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Approved,