HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
pate. 31 AUG 2016
Tivee T
Republic of the Philippines By:
House of Representatives a
Queesx City REGISTRATION UNIT
SEVENTEENTH Concress! SUS AND 'NDF x SEaViCE
First Regular Session —
3425
HOUSE BILLNO._ 7 *°~

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under Article II Section 9 of the Constitution of the Philippines, it is the policy of
the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that
provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living,
and an improved quality of life for all.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a National Identification System. The
system aims to provide an efficient and cost-effective verification apparatus, which will
allow ease of transactions requiring identity verification, as well as to provide an
efficient, secured, and established means for Filipino citizens to have easy access to
relevant information when interacting with the government.

The Unified National Identification System and Card will replace the basic need
for other identification verification apparatuses, serving as the primary and only required
identity verification apparatus, in regards to public and private transactions, such as but
not limited to: Passports, licenses, and other official government documents

The Unified National identification System, also seeks to streamline transactions
and processes, with various government institutions. The Unified National Identification
card will also serve as the primary tool when transacting with social welfare programs,
effectively becoming the primary ID of each, and as an added bonus provide better
collection and distribution of fees, and the social welfare programs’ respective benefits.
It will also serve as an efficient record keeping tool, allowing for better accountability
against election fraud and improved internal security as well as crime prevention,
through an up to date census and record keeping devices.

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\ heck. ERICE
tative

2 District, Caloocan City



Republic vf the Philippines
House of Representatives
Qurzox City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

eat
HOUSE BILL NO. 8425

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A UNIFIED NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM IN THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES”

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

SECTION 1. Title - This act shall be known as the “Unified National Identification System
act” otherwise known as “UNIDs”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to promote a just and
dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and
free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services,
Promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for
all.

SECTION 3. Purpose - The purpose of this Act is to establish a Unified National ID
system that will provide an efficient and cost effective verification apparatus that will
allow ease of transactions requiring identity verification, as well as provide an efficient,
secure, and established means for Filipino citizens to access their relevant information.

SECTION 4. Duties of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - The Philippine
Statistics Authority shall determine, validate, compile records, and administer the data
and materials required to avail of the benefits of the Unified National Identification
System.

It is the PSA which shall define the technical requirements of the Unified National ID
‘System as per the mandates framed under this law. The PSA shall find the best
technologies and directly or through the use of public or private service and technology
providers — guaranteed procedures for:

1. Registering all Filipino citizens, regardless of location or ethnicity, and affiliation;
2. Maintaining, updating and Securing Records at all times;


3. Validating, verifying and authenticating ID's online to all government and private
entities.

SECTION 5. Duties of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - The Department of
Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the PSA, shall handle the registration of Filipinos
residing abroad. The DFA offices shall be responsible for processing applications as well
as releasing their respective Unified National ID

SECTION 6. “UNIFIED NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM” — The Unified National
Identification System act herein referred to as the "UNIDs” is hereby established and
instituted as a unified economic and social ID system facilitating the attainment of a
progressive society by providing efficient services to all Filipino citizens.

“UNIDs” shall provide official documentation and identification of all citizens of the
Republic of the Philippines where ever they maybe through the creation of the “UNIDs”
Record. The PSA shall create a secured centralized record with corresponding fail safes
and backups. A copy of individual records shall be issued to every Filipino citizen in
digital form, and shall be stored either in their respective Identification Card (UNIDs
Card) or on the person's mobile phone (Digital Certificate) without distinction, in which
both shall be called the UNID.

The UNID shall gradually merge all existing Government identification systems, such as.
but not limited to, SSS ID or GSIS ID, Tin ID, PhilHealth ID, Pag Ibig ID, and Senior
Citizen's ID. Unifying all Government issued ID to provide a seamless, and efficient
Identification System.

The Unified National ID System shall include facial biometrics as the primary basis for
identification, subject to new biometric technology improvement in the future. Provided
that the compatibility with the technologies are observed.

SECTION 7. “UNIFIED NATIONAL ID” ~ Every Filipino is required to register all their
personal information as requested/ required by the Unified National ID system and
Philippine Statistics Authority, and upon completion of the application process shall be
issued a non-transferable "Unified National ID” with a unique ID Number that will be valid
for life and a Digital Certificate shall be issued for each UNID , The data in the UNID and
the Digital Certificate, (but not the number) are subject to revision when needed such as,
but not limited to the following circumstances:

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

(b) When there is a change in the 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;

(c) For a lost UNID

(d) For changes in the facial features due to age or medical intervention or major
improvements to biometric technology, provided that the compatibility with the
technologies are observed.

(e) For other revisions that may be deemed necessary by the Filipino holder.

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Filipino holders upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years old are required to renew their
UNID free of charge.

The UNID Card shall be made of tamper — proof security material and the Digital Record
shall be encrypted and protected against tempering as provided by the state of the art
technologies. The UNID Card shall have a visible photograph, full name, date of birth,
gender, signature of the owner, the corresponding individual ID number issued by the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and such other information as may be deemed
necessary.

The application and issuance of the UNID in its preliminary form shall be free of charge
as part of the government's social service responsibility. The initial application and
issuance of the UNID Card shall be subsidized as part of the government's social service
responsibility. A Replacement Fee shall be paid by the cardholder thereafter.

The pertinent details for applicants with pre-existing government issued Identification
cards shall be utilized and honored as a reference in the issuance of the UNID.

SECTION 8. Registration. — Upon the effectivity of this Act and when the Unified
National ID system has become fully operational, all registered Filipino citizens, shall be
issued a UNID after duly applying at their respective Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO)
of the city or municipality where one is a resident. Filipino citizens residing abroad shall
apply 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 UNID to a person upon reaching the age of 12 years from the
registration of live birth. The parents or Legal guardian of the minor, or differently abled
person shall be responsible for the application and safekeeping of the issued UNID.

The PSA through the LCRO, is directed to conduct online and mobile registration to
ensure the registration of all Filipinos including indigenous Filipinos and those in remote
communities.

SECTION 9. 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 UNID
holders. The PSA shall require private sector and government organizations to offer the
in-person services (that require proof of identity) also online, through the use of the UNID
application on mobile devices.

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SECTION 10. Functional Uses of the UNID - The UNID shall be presented and
honored in in-person and online transactions requiring the identity, status, birth and all
other personal circumstances such as the following:

(a) All transactions with the government, including but not limited to:
a. Application for passport and driver's license;
b. 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
c. Application for clearances with 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;
(c) Use in availing benefits and/or privileges afforded by law to senior citizens;
(d) Proof of Identity, status, age, and address for transactions with banking and
financial institutions;
(e) For Voting Identification purposes; and
(f) Such other purposes and uses which the PSA may prescribe.

When the UNID is presented to any government agency or for identification purposes,
provided that no error is found, no other additional identification card shall be required

When the UNID is used for in-person Transactions or for online transactions, verification
of identity will be performed electronically using biometrics.

The Unified National ID system shall be designed to monitor violations and infractions for
appropriate corrective actions, informing the individual of the same.

Except in instances in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9225 or “The
Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003", the UNID shall, on the person's
‘own desire and actions, rendered invalid and ineffective upon the loss of Filipino
citizenship.

SECTION 11. Change of Personal Status and Residence. — Any person who wishes
to change details in his UNID including but not limited to changes in personal status,
residence, or any material data, shalll have the duty to inform the LCRO, the embassy or
consular office where the person is currently residing, within a certain period as shall be
prescribed by the PSA.

SECTION 12. Protection against Unlawful Disclosure of Information/Records. - No
person or institution may publish, disseminate or give to third parties or entities including
government enforcement agencies any information obtained in connection with the
application for the UNID, including the use thereof except in the following cases:

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(a) When the owner and possessor of the UNID expressly authorizes in writing the
disclosure of such information to a third person, entity or agency;

(b) In the event of an accident, disaster or unfortunate event which require
information based on the medical history of the holder to administer proper
medical care. Information inclusive of but not limited to, blood type, special
medical needs, or other relevant information as is needed by the medical
institution or facility and health service workers;

(c) When the interest of public health and 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 or civil proceedings against the holder of the
UNID.

The PSA, in accordance with its statistical function, may generate and release
information from the Philippine National Citizen Registry in the form of statistics and
summaries: provided however that no reference to any individual shall be evident and
that no person can be identified in the released information.

The information in the Philippine National Citizen Registry shall be arranged in a manner
that allows for proper safeguards in regards to security, data access, and change
management. Any private provider that becomes a supplier of products or services to the
PSA, be it for storage, processing or any others, shall ensure the provisions of this
section are preserved at all times.

SECTION 13. Penal Provisions. - Any person who knowingly uses false information in
applying for the issuance of a UNID or procures one through fraudulent means and
utilizes the UNID in an unlawful manner shall be punished with a fine of not less than fifty
thousand pesos (P50, 000) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500, 000)
or imprisonment of no 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 UNID as the only official identification of the owner thereof shall also be
punished with the same penalties or imprisonment stated in the previous paragraph.

Any public offal 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 UNID or approves the application for the same, despite the
knowledge of existing fraud or false information, shall suffer the corresponding penalties
to the full extent of the law.

SECTION 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

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of Science and Technology, the Commission on Elections, GSIS, SSS, PHILHealth and
the Bureau of Immigration, shall promulgate rules and regulations and exchange existing
technologies and best practices on the issuance of the UNID to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 17. Repealing Clause — All, decrees, orders, rules and regulations which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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