HOUSE UF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines paren 9 JUL 2016
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘ 7
Quezon City, Metro Manila TIWE: i

BY:,
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

. RFCISTATION UNIT
First Regular Session BILLS AND «NDEX SERVICE

House BitLNo._ 1 ‘711

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE XAVIER JESUS D. ROMUALDO.

This measure seeks to establish the Filipino Identification System, a single and
streamlined national identification database for all Filipino citizens. This system will
provide for a means to verify and authenticate identities, a convenient way for citizens to
establish facts about themselves, a secure and reliable method of ascertaining, obtaining,
and preserving information and data about Filipinos, and the eventual harmonization and
integrations of all existing government identification and identification-related systems
and databases, Nevertheless, the rights to privacy, confidentiality, and access to personal
information registered or recorded in the system shall always be upheld.

Under this measure, Filipinos will be required to register under the system. Registered
adult Filipinos shall then be issued Filipino Identification (ID) Cards, which shall serve as
the official government-issued identification document in dealing with national
government agencies, local government units, govemment-owned or controlled
corporations, government financial institutions, and private institutions or establishments.
Upon presentation of the Filipino ID Card, no other government-issued identification
document shall be required in order to avail of services from or transact business with the
government

The proposed Filipino Identification System, established with the latest developments in
identity management, information and communications technology, and cyber security,
will eliminate multiple government identification systems and requirements, reduce
redundancies and delays in govemment services and transactions, bring down
administrative costs and expenses, promote greater convenience to the public, facilitate
private business, and prevent the use of false or stolen identities

Hence, the support of the Members of Congress for the prompt passage of this measure is

earnestly sought.

XAVIER JESUS D. ROMUALDO.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1711

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE XAVIER JESUS D. ROMUALDO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
FILIPINO IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM, THE REGISTRATION OF FILIPINO
CITIZENS UNDER SUCH SYSTEM, THE ISSUANCE OF FILIPINO
IDENTIFICATION CARDS, AND FOR 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 Filipino Identification System

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to establish a
single, unified, and streamlined national identification system for all Filipinos for the purpose of
eliminating multiple government identification systems, reducing redundancies and delays in
government services and transactions, bringing down administrative costs and expenses,
promoting greater convenience to the public, facilitating private business, and preventing the use
of false or stolen identities, while upholding and securing at all times the rights to privacy,

confidentiality, and access to registered information

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms are herein defined as

follows:

(a) Adult — refers to a person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(b) Application for modification — refers to an application for the addition, correction, or

modification of the contents of an entry under the Filipino Identification System.


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(©) Application for registration — refers to an application for registration under the Filipino

Identification System

(d) Biometric information — refers to data about a person's external characteristics.

{e) Cardholder — refers to a citizen who has been registered under the Filipino Identification

System and who has been issued and thus possesses a Filipino ID Card.

ino citizen, as defined in the Constitution, including those with dual

or multiple nationalities.

(g) Common Reference Number — refers to the unique and permanent identification number

assigned by the Philippine Statistics Authority to every citizen registered under the F
Identification System, which shall be used as a standard number for a registered citizen

across all agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of government.

(h) Entry — refers to information about a citizen required under this Act to be recorded under the

Filipino Identification System.

(i) Filipino ID Card — refers to the non-transferrable identification document to be issued to

every citizen registered under the Filipino Identification System.

@) Filipino Identification System or the System — refers to the national identification database

‘system established under this Act.

(k) Forge — refers to counterfeiting or producing an imitation of or a fake Filipino ID Card.

(0) Guardian — refers to the legal or judicial guardian of a minor or an incompetent person.


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(m)Incompetent person — refers to a citizen who is insane, even though he or she may have lucid
intervals, or a person who is not insane but, by reason of age, illness, physical or mental

disability, or other similar causes, is unable to fully take care of himself or herself.

(n) Minor — refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age.

(0) Non-resident citizen — refers to a citizen who resides outside of the Philippines, including
those who are overseas workers registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment

Administration or those who have obtained immigrant status in foreign countries.

(p) Person with disability — refers to a citizen who is suffering from a restriction of different
abilities, as a result of a mental, physical, or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the

manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

(q) Philippine embassies or consulates — refer to diplomatic missions or consular offices of the
Republic of the Philippines in foreign countries, including economic and cultural offices of

the Philippines, o the like, in foreign territories.

(r) Registered person — refers to a citizen who has been registered under the Fi

Identification System

(5) Registered information — refers to information, including biometric information, regarding a

registered person that has been recorded in the Filipino Identification System.
(0) Record history — refers to an entry in the Filipino Identification System consisting of the
following information regarding a registered person in connection with his or her entries in

the System and his or her Filipino ID Card:

(1) Date of filing of the application for registration and the particulars thereof,


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(2) Date of filing of every application for modification and the particulars thereof,

(3) Modification of entries made, the dates such were made, and the documents or

other proof submitted in support thereof:

(4) The reason for the omission of any entry; and

(5) Dates of issuance, renewal, reissue, cancellation, and expiry of the Filipino ID

Card, including the reasons therefor,

(u) Resident citizen — refers to a citizen who resides within the Philippines.

(¥) Senior citizen — refers to a citizen who is at least sixty (60) years old.

(w)Solo parent — refers to a citizen who is a solo parent as defined in Republic Act No. 8972,

otherwise known as the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000.

(x) Special status ~ refers to the status of a person who, because of specific attributes, is entitled
to certain privileges and benefits under the law, such as being a senior citizen, a person with

dis

lity, or a solo parent

(y) Tamper — refers to erasing, substituting, counterfeiting, or altering, by any means, the

photograph, information, words, letters, or figures appearing in a Filipino ID Card.

(2) Ward — refers to an incompetent person who is under the legal or judicial guardianship of
another.

SEC. 4. The Filipino Identification System. — There is hereby established the Filipino

Identification System, a confidential database containing information regarding registered


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persons required under this Act, which shall be operated and administered by the Philippine

Statistics Authority (PSA). The System shall have the following objectives:

(1) Enable the PSA to issue, using entries in the System, Filipino ID Cards to citizens registered

under the System;

(2) Provide a means to verify and authenticate the identities of citizens;

(3) Use fingerprints and other biometric information as unique and unambiguous features in

identifying citizens;

(4) Provide for a convenient method for citizens to establish facts about themselves;

(5) Provide for a secure and reliable method of ascertaining, obtaining, and preserving

information and data about citizens; and

(6) Enable the eventual harmonization and integrations of all existing government identification

and identification-related systems and databases.

SEC. 5. Entries in the Filipino Identification System. — The information regarding a

registered person that shall be recorded in the Filipino Identification System shall be limited to

the following:

(a) Full legal name;

(b) Date of birth;

(©) Place of birth;

(d) Gender;


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(©) Civil status;

(®) Common Reference Number;

(g) Address of principal place of residence;

(h) A front-facing photograph of the registered person’s head and shoulders;

(i) The registered person’s fingerprints,

(i) Other biometric information, as may be required by the PSA;

(k) Special status, if any;

(1) Record history;

(m) The registered person’s

(1) Philippine Passport Number,

(2) Taxpayer Identification Number,

(3) Social Security System (SSS) and/or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)

Number,

(4) National Health Insurance Program Membership Number,

(5) Home Development Mutual Fund (HDME) Membership Number,


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(6) Voter’s Identification Number,

(7) Driver’s License Number; and

(n) Such other information as the PSA may require for the purpose of attaining the objectives of

the System.

SEC. 6. Mandate of the Philippine Statistics Authority. - The PSA shall have the following

functions and responsibilities in relation to the Filipino Identification System:

(a) Manage, maintain, and administer the System, including the eventual harmonization and
integration of all existing identification and identification-related systems and databases of

the government and integrating them into the System;

(b) Carry out the registration of citizens under the System, including the conduct of mobile
registration to ensure that all citizens, including those belonging to indigenous cultural

communities and those residing in remote communities, are registered;

(©) Issue a unique and permanent Common Reference Number to registered persons, which shall
be incorporated or made compatible with existing identification and identification-related
systems and databases of the government, in respect of which information regarding such

registered citizen has been documented, recorded, or stored;

(A) Issue Filipino ID Cards to registered persons;

(©) Organize information and data obtained by it in pursuance of its functions under this Act, and

generate and release to the public figures, statistics, and insights about the population of the

country based thereon;


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1 (f) Ensure at all times the protection, confidentiality, and security of all registered information,

2 as well as any and all information or data collected or obtained in connection with
3 registration or modification of entries in the System;
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5 (g) Establish and maintain secured communication links with government agencies or offices

6 with existing relevant government identification and identification-related systems and
7 databases for the purpose of verifying, matching, and integrating information or data in such
8 systems and databases,

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10 (h) Continuously collaborate with relevant agencies in the setting of the standards, technical

11 specifications, and equipment necessary for the preservation, protection, and security of all
12 registered information and for the operation of the communication links established or
13 maintained pursuant to paragraph (g) hereof, and

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15 (i) Monitor and research, for possible use and adoption, the latest developments in identity

16 management, information and communications technology, and cybersecurity,
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18 SEC. 7. Compulsory Registration. ~ All citizens, whether residing within or outside the

19 Philippines, shall register under the Filipino Identification System. Registration under the System
20 — shall commence on January 2, 2019. All citizens shall file their applications for registration
21 within one year from such date

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23 SEC. 8. Application Forms. ~ The PSA shall prepare the necessary forms for applications for
24 — registration and modification, identify the documents or other proof required to be submitted in
25 support thereof, and distribute and make such forms available in all Local Civil Registry Offices
26 — (LCROs) in the Philippines and all Philippine embassies and consulates. The PSA may develop
27 and use paper-based and electronic application forms.

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29 SEC. 9. Filing of Applications for Registration and Applications for Modification. — Resident

30 citizens shall file their applications with the LCRO in the city or municipality where they


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principally reside, Non-resident citizens shall file their applications with the Philippine embassy
or consulate nearest to where they presently reside. No fees shall be charged for the filing of

applications for registration or modification and all applications shall be made under oath

The parent(s) or guardian(s) of a minor or incompetent person may file, on behalf of the minor or
incompetent person, an application with the LCRO in the city or municipality where the minor or
incompetent person principally resides or with the Philippine embassy or consulate nearest to

where the minor or incompetent person presently resides, as the case may be.

Senior citizens or persons with disability who, due to physical incapacity, cannot personally file
their applications may file the same through a representative authorized under a special power of

attorney.

Every Filipino child born after December 31, 2018 shall be registered under the Filipino
Identification System upon the registration of the child’s birth with the LCRO or the reporting of

the child’s birth with the Philippine embassy or consulate, as the case may be

The PSA shall prescribe the reasonable periods within which applications for modification with

regard to changes in specific entries in System shall be filed.

SEC. 10. Processing of Applications. ~ The LCRO or Philippine embassy or consulate
shall forward to the PSA a copy of the duly accomplished application for registration or
modification, with the documents or other proof submitted in support thereof, within five (5)
days from receipt thereof. LCROs and Philippine embassies or consulates shall keep and retain

copies of all applications, with supporting documents or proof, filed with them

Upon receipt of the copy of the application and its supporting documents or other proof, the PSA
shall forthwith verify the information submitted. Once the information submitted is verified and

validated, the PSA shall approve the application and cause the registration or modification of the

contents of entries in the Filipino Identification System. If the information submitted cannot be


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validated, the PSA shall deny the application and immediately inform the LCRO or Philippine
embassy or consulate concerned of such fact, including the reasons therefor. The LCRO or
Philippine embassy or consulate shall then inform the person concerned of the denial of his or
her application, who shall be allowed to submit additional or other proof to support the approval

of his or her application

SEC. 11, Support to Local Government Units. ~ The National Government, through the
Department of Information and Communications Technology, shall provide funding and
technical support and assistance to local government units to ensure that all LCROs have the

appropriate equipment, facilities, and means to effectively perform their duties under this Act.

SEC. 12. Leave Benefit for Filing of Applications. — Resident citizens shall be entitled to
a one (1) day paid leave from their employers for the purpose of filing their applications for
registration or modification, the applications for registration or modification of their minor
children or wards, or the application for registration or modification of a physically incapacitated
senior citizen or person with disability whom they are authorized to represent. To avail of the

paid leave benefit, proof of filing of the application must be presented to employers

SEC. 13. The Filipino ID Care

~ Every adult registered person shall be issued a Filipino
ID Card. The Filipino ID Card shall serve as the official government-issued identification
document of cardholders in dealing with national government agencies, local government units,
government-owned or controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and private

institutions or establishments.

No other government-issued identification document shall be required from cardholders who
wish to avail of services from or transact business with the government; Provided, that one’s
failure to present his or her Filipino ID Card shall not be a ground to deny or limit the provision
of government services as long as he or she is qualified to avail of the same under existing laws,

rules, regulations, and policies.


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The Filipino ID Card shall have printed on its face:

(a) The front-facing photograph, full legal name, gender, date of birth, and civil status of the

cardholder,

(b) The special status of the cardholder, if any;

(c) The dates of the card’s issuance and of its expiry;

(d) The cardholder’s Common Reference Number; and

(e) Such other relevant and necessary information or data, which may include biometric

information, as may be determined by the PSA.

All information appearing in the Filipino ID Card must faithfully correspond to registered

information in the Filipino Identification System.

The Filipino ID Card shall have security features that shall prevent tampering or forgery.

SEC. 14, Issuance and Validity of the Filipino ID Card. ~ The PSA shall issue and
release the Filipino ID Card through the appropriate LCRO or Philippine embassy or consulate,
or through other practicable means, not later than ninety (90) days from receipt of the appropriate
application, with supporting documents or proof, or request for the issuance, renewal, or

reissuance of the Filipino ID Card.

Registered persons who were registered under the Filipino Identification System when they were
minors shall file a request for the issuance of the Filipino ID Card with the appropriate LCRO or
Philippine embassy or consulate at least ninety (90) days before they reach the age of majority.

The Filipino ID Card to be issued to such registered persons shall have the date they reach the


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1 age of majority as the date of issuance. The PSA shall endeavor that the Filipino ID Card be

2 ready for actual release to such registered persons on the date they reach the age of majority.

4 A cardholder whose Filipino ID Card has been lost or destroyed shall immediately report such
5. loss or destruction to the appropriate LCRO or Philippine embassy or consulate and request for a

6 reissuance of his or her Filipino ID Card.

8 The issuance of a Filipino ID Card to a registered person for the first time shall be free of charge
9 Thereafter, a reasonable fee shall be charged for renewals or reissuances thereof, Provided, that
10 if registered person requests that the Filipino ID Card to be issued be sent to him or her through
11 mail, he or she shall be charged the cost of such mailing
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13 The Filipino ID Card shall be valid for ten (10) years from the date of its issuance; Provided, that
14 a Filipino ID Card issued to a registered person who is at least sixty (60) years of age at the time
15 of such issuance shall no longer expire and shall be valid until such person’s death. Cardholders
16 may file requests for the renewal of their Filipino ID Card ninety (90) days before date of the
17 expiration of the card’s validity. The PSA shall endeavor that the renewed Filipino ID Card be
18 ready for actual release before the date of the expiration of the old card’s validity
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20 Applications for modification shall include a request for the issuance of new Filipino ID Card

21 where the modification of the contents of an entry under the System has to be reflected in the

22 ~~ card.
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24 SEC. 15, Functional Uses of the Filipino ID Card. — The Filipino ID card shall be presented,

25 honored, and accepted in transactions requiring proof of or verification of a citizen’s identity or
26 personal circumstances, such as but not limited to:

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28 (a) Any and all transactions with the government, such as:

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30 (1) Passport and Driver’s License applications,


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(2) Application for clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation, courts,

provincial or city prosecutor’ office, or the police, and

(3) Availment of services and benefits offered by the SSS, GSIS, HDMF, and the Philippine

Health Insurance Corporation;

(b) Registration and identification for purposes of exercising the right of suffrage;

(c) Availment of benefits granted by law to senior citizens, persons with disability, solo parents,

and other similar benefits,

(d) Payment of taxes and customs duties;

(e) Availment of notarial acts or notarization; and

() Banking and financial transactions

SEC. 16. Prohibition against Unauthorized Disclosure of Information. — No person may
disclose, convey, disseminate, publish, or use registered information or any other data or
information obtained in connection with registration or modification of entries under the
Philippine Identification System to third persons, including government agencies, offices, and
instrumentalities, except where the registered person expressly authorizes in writing the

disclosure of such information to such third person or upon the order of a competent court

Any information obtained as a result of an unauthorized or unlawful disclosure shall be
inadmissible in any and all civil, criminal, and administrative proceeding against the registered

person concerned.


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SEC. 17. Penalties. - (A) The penalty of a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos

(P50,000.00) but not more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) or imprisonment

of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both, shall be imposed upon:

(1) Any person who knowingly enters or makes use of false information in an application for

registration or modification

(2) Any public officer or employee who facilitates or causes the registration of a person under
the Filipino Identification System or modification of the contents of an entry in the System
with knowledge that the application for registration or modification therefor contains false

information.

(3) Any person who, without lawful authority, accesses registered information or any other data
or information obtained in connection with the registration or modification of entries under

the System.

(4) Any person who willfully destroys or mutilates a Filipino ID Card

(B) The penalty of a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 100,000.00) but not
more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than one

(1) year but not more than three (3) years shall be imposed upon:

(1) Any public officer or employee who willfully or through negligence, allows any person to
accesses registered information or any other data or information obtained in connection with

the registration or modification of entries under the System.

(2) Any person who discloses, conveys, disseminates, publishes, or uses registered information
or any other data or information obtained in connection with the registration or modification

of entries under the System to third persons, including government agencies, offices, and


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instrumentalities, without the express written authority or consent of the registered person

concerned or the order ofa competent court

(3) Any person who takes the Filipino ID Card of another, without the latter’s consent or without

lawful authority to do so.

(4) Any person who tampers or forges a Filipino ID Card.

(5) Any person who, not being the tamperer or forger, knowingly uses a tampered or forged

SEC. 18. Congressional Oversight Committee, — To monitor and oversee the implementation
of this Act, there is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee on the Filipino
Identification System, which shall be composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Members of the
House of Representatives elected by the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively;
Provided, that at least one (1) Senator and one (1) Member of the House of Representatives shall
be nominated by the respective Minority Leaders of the Senate and the House of
Representatives. The Committee shall be co-chaired by a Senator and a Member of the House of
Representative designated by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives, respectively

SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the PSA, after due consultation and coordination with the National Privacy
Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government,
Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Labor and
Employment, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Commission on
Elections, GSIS, SSS, HDMF, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, shall

promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


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SEC. 20. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be charged against any appropriate and available items in the General Appropriations Act

(GAA) for the current fiscal year and shall thereafter be included in the annual GAA.

SEC. 21. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders and issuances, rules and
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the provisions of this

Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 23. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,