Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10973 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN 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 government 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 Act1 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.”2 
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 government 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 Filipinos much difficulty for various 
1 Rep. Act No. 11055 
2 Id., §3. 
September 25, 2024
10:15 am


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 government, is tasked to monitor and ensure the faithful 
implementation of this Act.  
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA 
3rd District, Province of Cebu 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10973 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN 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) PhilID or PhilSys Digital ID or ePhilID;
(b)
Philippine Passport;
(c)
Driver’s License;
(d)
Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID;
(e)
Philippine Postal Corporation ID;
(f)
Voter’s ID;


 
 
(g) 
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose 
Identification (UMID) Card; 
(h) 
Social Security System (SSS) Card; 
(i) 
PhilHealth ID; 
(j) 
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID; 
(k) 
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID; 
(l) 
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) ID; 
(m) 
Senior Citizen Card; 
(n) 
Person-With-Disability (PWD) ID; 
(o) 
Solo Parent ID; 
(p) 
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID; 
(q) 
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID; 
(r) 
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 concerning 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 Anti-Red 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 government-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 government-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 government 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,