Arroyo to push for national ID system

President Arroyo asked Congress yesterday to prioritize the passage into law of the long-pending, Palace-certified bill on the implementation of a national identification (ID) card system.

The President said that the proposed national ID system is being pushed as a measure to fight terrorism and criminality. It will also be used as a tool to facilitate political and economic activities, such as obtaining voters’ IDs, drivers’ licenses and various permits from the local and national government, and for availing of social services like healthcare, she said.

The President reiterated her desire to use the proposed national ID system as a component of the government’s anti-crime drive in the light of the new spate of kidnappings and bank robberies.

"We have already several official ID systems in place, such as the voters’ ID, the SSS (Social Security System) ID, driver’s license, not to mention the millions of corporate ID cards and credit cards being used everyday," the President said.

"Our people have accepted all these instruments of political and economic facilitation and I don’t see how a national ID system can be portrayed as an oppressive instrument," she added.

She reassured Filipinos that there is nothing sinister in the government’s decision to implement a national ID system, the legality and constitutionality of which has been questioned before the Supreme Court.

"We’re simply trying to consolidate what has been done for decades in a single, verifiable and foolproof instrument to deter criminals and terrorists and deprive them of sanctuary among our law-abiding citizens," the President said. "Let’s pursue this program for a safer and more progressive nation."

Yet another bill proposing a national ID system will be filed by Surigao Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who said, "a national ID system is the best deterrent against terrorists, criminals and people with multiple identities."

This system was advocated by the congressman’s father, Sen. Robert Barbers, when the latter was still interior and local government secretary.

The younger Barbers said he will propose the adoption of an ID system patterned after the United States’ state ID, which will incorporate all basic information on a person into a single ID card.

"Those who are afraid of the national ID are the rebels, the swindlers, the criminals and the terrorists. A peace-loving citizen would be very much willing to have a national ID," the Surigao legislator said.

He also assured that he will "see to it that when I file my bill, it will not be violative of the rights of Filipinos."

There will be no violation of a person’s right to privacy because the proposed national ID will contain data that individuals usually submit in their resumes when seeking employment or transacting business with the government, Barbers added.

Last year, the Senate committee on constitutional amendments drafted a proposal for a computerized national ID system, or the National ID System Act of 2002.

If passed into law, each Filipino will be issued an exclusive identification card for use as a central access card for all basic government services, from tax payments and the issuance of clearances and permits, to medical services.

The proposed national ID, under this measure, would resemble an ATM or credit card, bearing a person’s name and photograph, while other pertinent information will be contained in a magnetic strip on the back of the card.

The National ID System Act would also require foreigners to secure an ID when in the Philippines to allow them access to government services.

The original proponents of this Senate bill were Senators Rodolfo Biazon and Panfilo Lacson.

The proposal for a national ID system, however, was first made during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos.

At that time, Sen. Blas Ople, who is now foreign affairs secretary, questioned the legality and constitutionality of such a proposal before the Supreme Court.

Some sectors opposed the proposed national ID system, saying it could be abused and used to monitor the movement of people critical of government.