F REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
pure, 01 AUG 2016
ane q

BY:

ENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE!
H.No._ 2167

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by Representative VILMA SANTOS-RECTO
6" District Batangas

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Explanatory Note

Bureaucratic red tape is the rope that strangles government operations. Red tape stifles
business operations, restrains economic growth, and delays service delivery. Governments
aspiring to dispense public services in the most judicious, transparent, effective and efficient way
possible should not leave room for bureaucratic bottlenecks to take root.

Despite the enactment of Republic Act No. 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007,
remnants of red tape still persist in government and business transactions in the country. The
most flagrant of its kind can be gleaned from the sheer number of identification cards issued by
various government agencies for analogous and divergent purposes. To illustrate the point,
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has already identified twenty-one (21) types of government-issued
identification cards that can be used for financial transactions'. This proliferation of redundant
government-issued identification cards not only causes unnecessary spending for the government
and unwarranted burden and delays for the public; it also jeopardizes the security and privacy of
the individual with regard to their personal information.

This bill seeks to institutionalize a unified Filipino Identification (ID) system to address
such delays and wastage. Through the adoption of a single identification system to transact with
any government or business entity in the country, individuals will not have to pay more or wait
longer just to avail of public or private services. Additionally, government agencies will not have
to undergo tedious bidding processes and spend millions of taxpayers’ money to issue redundant
identification cards to their clientele.

Furthermore, it provides access to better services from institutions like private businesses,
local government units (LGUs), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) and
the Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO)/Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT). The bill allows LGUs and private business entities to
incorporate benefits and privileges with the Filipino ID card. The bill also provides for additional
features to be granted to all individuals enrolled in the Filipino Identification system, like the
automatic enrolment in the PHILHEALTH program and increased internet connection speed for
Free Public Wi-Fi subscribers,

" BSP Circular No. 564 s.2007 and Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions, as amended by BSP
Circular No. 792 s.2013.


A unified identification system, armed with all available technological advances of our
time, can improve service delivery, reduce government and personal expenditures, mitigate
security and privacy risks, and improve overall government policy formulation and program
development while impeding efforts to undermine the system through fraud and other criminal
acts.

To faithfully comply with the state policy of ensuring the prosperity and independence of
the nation and freedom of the people from poverty, public and private service transactions should
be simplified, fraudulent transactions and misrepresentation averted, and bureaucratic red tape
should be curtailed.

Towards this end, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly so

VILMA SANTOS-RECTO



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

9107
Ho, 2184

Introduced by Representative VILMA SANTOS-RECTO
6" District Batangas

ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO iDENTINGATION SYSTEM, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Filipino Identification System
Act of 2016.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. ~ 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, a unified identification system shall be
established to simplify public and private services transactions, to avert fraudulent transactions
and misrepresentations, and to curtail the perennial problem of bureaucratic red tape in
Philippine government agencies.

Sec. 3. The Filipino Identification System. — The Filipino Identification System herein
referred to as the “Filipino ID 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 national identification number and

Filipino Identification Card. It shall gradually concert and consolidate all existing Government-

initiated identifi
Sec. 4,

ation systems into an integrated and efficient identification system.

ilipino Identification System Components. ~ The Filipino ID System shall be
comprised of the following key elements: (a) Common Reference Number (CRN), which is a
unique number assigned to the individual; (b) Filipino Identification Card, which is the physical
medium issued to the individual to convey essential information about the person's identity; and
(c) Filipino Citizen Registry, which is the collection of records and information about individuals
enrolled in the Filipino ID System.

SEC. 5. Common Reference Number. ~ The CRN shall serve as the national identification

number of the person. It is a unique and permanent number to be assigned to each Filipino by the

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Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It shall be used as a standard number for the individual
across all agencies of the government.

The issuance of the CRN shall be done after checking for uniqueness of the person's
identity through the person’s biometrics data. However, when biometrics data is not yet
applicable like in cases when the person is still a child, the generation of CRN shall be based on
the person's birth certificate maintained by the PSA.

‘The PSA shall establish a direct linkage between the CRN and the person's birth record in
the PSA's civil registry database.

SEC. 6. The Filipino Identification Card. ~ Every Filipino, whether residing in the
Philippines or abroad, is mandated to secure a non-transferrable Filipino Identification Card
(Filipino ID card) bearing information on the owner’s identity. In particular, the Filipino ID card
shall contain the owner's imprinted photograph, full name, present address, date and place of
birth, sex, civil status, signature, CRN and date of card issuance.

The Filipino ID card shall be made of tamper-proof security material. It shall also have
the capability to store the biometrics data of the individual card owner. Likewise, the card's
physical characteristics shall also consider the card owner's possible use of the ID card in
conducting secure electronic transactions.

SEC. 7. The Filipino Citizen Registry. ~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 a 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 person, agency, office or
instrumentality, government or otherwise, except in cases stipulated in Section 11 of this Act.

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. 8. Registration and Enrollment into the Filipino Identification System. — After the
approval of this Act and upon full operation of the Filipino ID System, every Filipino shall
register and enroll into the Filipino ID S\

tem at the PSA-designated Filipino ID Registration
Center nearest the place of residence. Filipino ID Registration Centers shall have the necessary
facilities to capture both personal and biometrics data and such Centers may include other

government agencies with existing equipment, such as the Government Service Insurance

System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS). Filipinos residing abroad shall register and

be enrolled at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consular Office at the country of residence.

Every newborn Filipino shall be registered and enrolled into the Filipino ID System at the
Local Civil Registry Office at the place where the birth occurred or, in the case of Filipinos born
abroad, at the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office. Every Filipino reaching the age of
majority at eighteen (18) years and those reaching the age of sixty (60) shall renew the Filipino
ID card at a PSA-designated Filipino ID Registration Center nearest the place of residence or, in

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the case of Filipinos residing abroad, at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consular Office at the
country of residence.

In all foregoing cases, the CRN shall be issued upon registration while the Filipino ID
card shall be released within one hundred twenty (120) days from registration.

The initial application into the Filipino ID System and the issuance of the Filipino ID
card shall be free of charge as part of the government's social service responsibility. The renewal
of the Filipino ID card upon reaching eighteen (18) years of age and sixty (60) years of age shall

likewise be free of charge. A fee shall be paid by the card owner in all other instances of card

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replacements that may be permitted under the following circumstances:
10 (a) For lost or destroyed ID cards; or

a (6) Changes in any of the material information previously supplied and currently
2 maintained in the Filipino ID System, as provided for in Section 9.

3 ‘The parents or the legal guardian of the minor, incompetent or person with disability shall
14 be responsible for the safekeeping of the Filipino ID card.

1s SEC. 9. Change in Material Information. — Any person who intends to effect changes in
16 the material information previously supplied and currently maintained in the Filipino ID System
17 shall have the duty to inform the Local Civil Registry Office, Embassy, or Consular Office
18 nearest the place of residence, or to any PSA-designated reporting facility, of such changes
19 _ within the period prescribed by the implementing agency. These material changes include:

20 (a) Change in the name by virtue of court order or by application of law, such as a

21 married woman adopting the surname of the husband;

2 (b) Change in the stated address and/or civil status;
23 (c) Material changes in the facial features due to age or medical intervention; or
24 (A) Other revisions that may be deemed necessary by the cardholder or the PSA.
25 Sec. 10. Functional Uses of the Filipino ID Card. ~ The Filipino ID card shall be

26 _ presented and honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth, and all other personal
27 circumstances such as but not limited to the following:

28 (a) All transactions with all government agencies, instrumentalities, local government
29 units (LGUs), and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs);

30 (b) Proof of identity and age, for admission in all learning institutions as well as for
31 — employment purposes;

32 (©) Availment of benefits or privileges afforded by law to senior citizens and persons

33 with disability;

34 (d) Proof of identity and age for transactions in banking and financial institutions; and
35 (©) Such other purposes and uses which the PSA may prescribe.
36 When the Filipino ID card is presented to any government agency or for identification

37 _ 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
Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003,” the Filipino ID card shall motu propio be
rendered invalid and ineffective upon the loss of Filipino citizenship. Such status of citizenship
shall also be reflected in the corresponding record in the Registry.

Sec. 11. 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 provided by the data owner to the Filipino ID System including the use
thereof except in the following cases:

(a) When the owner of the CRN or 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 and/or health workers:

(©) In the interest of public health or safety; 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 owner of the CRN or the
Filipino ID card.

The PSA, in pursuance of its mandated statistical function under Republic Act No. 10625

or “The Philippine Statistical Act of 2013,” may generate and release aggregated information
from the Filipino Citizen Registry in the form of summaries and statistical tables in which no
reference to an individual shall appear and that no specific person can be readily identified in the
released information.

The PSA may also use the list of CRNs to obtain administrative data being maintained by
other agencies for additional statistical compilation. Administrative data granted to PSA through

the CRNs shall not be made part of the Registry nor the Filipino ID System. Such data, which

shall also be covered by confidentiality provisions under Republic Act No. 10625, shall purely
be for the purpose of generating statistical summaries without reference or identification of any
specific individual.

‘The PSA as repository and custodian of all data covered in the Filipino ID System shall
institute the necessary measures to safeguard the information gathered through the Filipino ID
system.

Sec. 12. Roles and Functions of the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of
Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices. — The PSA, as the
implementing agency, shall be responsible for the overall planning, management and
administration of the Filipino ID System. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in
coordination with the PSA, shall handle the registration and enrolment into the System of
Filipinos residing abroad and such responsibility also includes the release of the CRN and/or

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Filipino ID cards. The PSA shall create an additional organizational unit on Citizen ID Services
to handle its additional role under this Act, subject to the review of the Department of Budget
and Management. Likewise, the DFA shall create a special unit for the purpose of handling its
added responsibility.

The PSA is directed to draw up a program for the conduct of mobile registration in
collaboration with other government entities to ensure registration and enrollment of all Filipinos
into the Filipino ID System including the indigenous people and those in the remote
communities.

Sec. 13. 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. 14, Feature Involving Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. — The Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) shall automatically enroll non-member Filipino
ID cardholders into the National Health Insurance Program in accordance with pertinent laws
and regulations.

Sec. 15. Feature Involving Information and Communications Technology
Office/Depariment. of Information and Communications Technology. — The PSA and the
Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO)/Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), shall grant increased internet connection speed and other
information and communications technology (ICT) benefits and privileges to the Filipino ID
cardholders under the National Connectivity and Broadband Development Plan, Free Public Wi-
Fi Connectivity in Public Places or any similar plan or program of the DICT.

Sec. 16. Failure to Present a Filipino ID Card. ~ The failure of any person to present a
Filipino ID card when transacting business with the government or with private entities requiring
the use and presentation of the Filipino ID card shall not be used as grounds to deny or limit the
basic government and private services so long as such transaction is qualified under existing
laws,

Sec. 17. Funding. ~ The initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the current fiscal year's appropriation of the PSA and DFA as the
implementing agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Revenues
that may be generated from the issuance of the Filipino ID cards or related services shall be
allocated as part of the appropriations for the continued management and operations of the
Filipino ID System.

Funding requirements to ensure the automatic enrollment of non-member Filipino ID
cardholders to the National Health Insurance Program shall be sourced from the National Health
Insurance Fund of PHILHEALTH.

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Funding requirements to provide increased internet connection speed and other ICT
benefits shall be charged against the current fiscal year’s appropriation of the ICTO/DICT, and
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act thereafter.

Sec. 18. Penal Provisions. — Any person who knowingly uses false information in
enrolling into the System or applying for the issuance of a Filipino ID card or procures a card
through fraud and who 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 a CRN
or 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 those acts of omission.

SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days from effectivity
of this Act, the PSA and DFA shall, in coordination with National Economic and Development
Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of
Social Welfare and Development, ICTO/DICT, Commission on Elections, GSIS, SSS,
PHILHEALTH, and other relevant government agencies, 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.

SEC. 20. 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. 21. 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. 22. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette.

Approved,

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