Manila: The presidential palace will order further study on a plan to implement a national identification card system after a measure embodying such a scheme recently passed scrutiny at the House of Representatives.
House Bill 6895, a measure that aims to enhance the integrity of government issued identification cards through the issuance of a single unified system where vital information concerning an individual — such as social security number, drivers licence etc — can be stored. But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the palace is concerned that provisions of the proposal is similar to that of a national ID plan which was earlier turned down by lawmakers for fear that such a move would infringe on an individual’s right to privacy.
“We’d like to see the rest of the provisions first. It may be similar to what is being proposed before the national ID system,” Valte said in an interview aired by government-run radio station dzRB.
Representative Al Francis Bichara of Albay is the main author of the measure — the “Filipino Identification Act” — which on Friday was passed for second reading by members of the House.
Bichara, a former Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon and a third generation Filipino-Lebanese, said a unified ID would be honoured by various government agencies and would streamline red tape. Likewise, having a single card for identification will make it easier for people carry.
“The bill will reduce costs and lessen the financial burden on both the government and the public brought about by the use of multiple ID cards and maintenance of redundant databases containing the same or related information,” reports quoted Bichara as saying.
Under the measure, Filipinos based in their home country and abroad can use the non-transferable ID which is equipped with security features.
The cards will be valid for at least 10 years and contain information such as photo, name, birth date, date of issue, signature of the owner, individual serial number, and biometric data of the cardholder.
Under the proposal, those caught using the card to commit fraud or crime will be penalised and imprisoned.
Earlier, a similar proposal put forward by then Senator Aquilino Pimentel created a controversy after civil liberties groups contended that compelling individuals to divulge personal information is tantamount to invasion of privacy.
