The House of Representatives, voting 142-7, approved on third and final reading Friday House Bill 6221 which seeks to establish a single, unified and streamlined national identification system in the country.
The bill, otherwise known as the “Filipino Identification System” calls for the establishment of a National Identification Database System, to be known as the National Identification System or “FilSys”.
Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua last month said the government is set to allot a budget of P2 billion for the roll-out in 2018 of the national ID system and that 105 million Filipinos can benefit from it by 2020.
The National ID System shall provide a valid proof of identity and an efficient official identity verification of all citizens of the Republic of the Philippines.
FilSys shall gradually synchronize and consolidate all existing government-initiated identification systems into one integrated identification system.
Under the bill, every Filipino, upon reaching the age of 18 and whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, is mandated to register personal data as required by the FilSys, and upon application, shall be issued a non-transferrable FilID with a CRN that shall be valid for life.
The FilSys shall consist of the following key components:
1. Common Reference Number (CRN) – a unique and permanent identification number issued to a citizen registered under the FilSys during the extent of an individual’s lifetime, and which shall not be reissued to another individual;
2. Filipino Identification Card (FilID) – the physical medium issued to a Filipino citizen registered under the FilSys that contains essential information about the citizen’s identity; and
3. Filipino Citizen Registry – the collection of records and information about citizens enrolled in the FilSys that is administered by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
All personal data of a person registered in the FilSys shall be strictly confidential and shall be limited to the following:
1. On the face of the card – CRN; full name; name suffix; a front facing photograph; sex; date of birth; place of birth; permanent address; blood type and barcode
2. In the smart chip – CRN; agency code; enrollment date (YYYYMMDD); station ID; sequence number (enrolment per station); full name; name suffix; sex; date of birth; place of birth; permanent address; marital status; blood type; parents’ full name; biometrics information; height in centimeters; weight in kilograms; distinguishing features and tax identification number (TIN)
3. In the database – CRN; agency code; enrolment date (YYYYMMDD); station ID; sequence number (enrolment per station); full name; name suffix; date of birth; place of birth; sex; permanent address; temporary mailing address; email address; mobile number; marital status; spouse CRN; marriage certificate reference number; father’s full name; father’s name – suffix; father’s CRN; father’s birth certificate reference number; mother’s full name; mother’s name – suffix; mother’s CRN; mother’s birth certificate reference number; biometrics information; height in centimeters; weight in kilograms; distinguishing features; relevant information to prove filiation, paternity, maternity and legitimacy or illegitimacy of a child; special status, if any (senior citizen or elderly, Person With Disability or solo parent); other personal circumstances, such as voter’s identification number, Philippine passport number, PhilHealth membership number and the likes; such other information as the pertinent authorities may require for the purpose of attaining the objectives of the FilSys; and death certificate reference number (DCRN)
The FilID with a CRN shall be subject to replacement only if there is a change in name or family name by virtue of a court order or by application of law, such as a married woman adopting the surname of her husband.
The FilID shall also be replaced if it has been lost or destroyed and to effect revisions that necessitate the replacement of the card, as provided under this Act.
The initial application and issuance of the FilID shall be free of charge as part of the government’s social service responsibility.
A standard fee shall be collected by the issuing agency for the reissuance or release of a replacement card.
The FilID shall serve as the official government-issued identification document of a cardholder in dealing with national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), government-owned or –controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs).
Private entities and establishments are mandated to accept the FilID as a valid proof of identity of the individual, without requiring other or additional documents.
Government agencies that shall implement the FilSys are the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); PSA; Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); Social Security System (SSS); Commission on Elections (COMELEC); National Privacy Commission (NPC); Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC); PhilHealth; HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund; Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); Local Civil Registrar Offices (LCROs); Land Transportation Office (LTO); and the Philippine Postal Services (PPS).
The bill mandates the PSA to manage the implementation of the FilSys and ensure the security of the system, in accordance with all applicable laws and policies.
The PSA, as repository and custodian of all data and all civil registry records, shall create and maintain a Filipino Citizen registry that will contain the registered records and information of persons enrolled in the FilSys.
The bill provides protection against unlawful disclosure of information/records.
It states that no person may disclose, collect, record, convey, disseminate, publish, or use any personal data registered with the FilSys, give access thereto or give copies thereof to third parties or entities, including law enforcement agencies, national security agencies, or units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) except in the following circumstances:
(a) when the holder of the FilID expressly authorizes the disclosure of such information to a third person, entity or agency;
(b) in case of accident, disaster or fortuitous events, when information on the medical history of the holder such as the blood type or special medical needs or other relevant information are needed by medical institutions and health service workers;
(c) when the interest of the public health or safety requires so; or
(d) upon the order of any competent court.
In applying for a FilID, any person who uses false information or procures a card through fraud and utilizes it even in a legitimate transaction shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six months, but not more than two years, or a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.
The same penalties shall also be imposed on any person who shall willfully and unjustifiably refuse to accept, acknowledge or recognize the FilID as the only official identification of the owner.
Any public official or employee who connives with the offender in committing the acts mentioned in the last two preceding paragraphs, or on his own, causes the issuance of an authorized FilID 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 preceding paragraphs and shall suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from government service.
The president, general manager, managing partner or any officer in charge of managing the affairs of a partnership, corporation, organization or any similar entity found to have sold or traded information contained in the FilSYs for company gain or for any other purpose shall be held liable and penalized with the same penalties stated in this section.
The penalties in this section shall be imposed in addition to those imposed on acts punishable by existing penal and other laws, such as Republic Act No. 10173, including acts of omission.
Authors of the bill are Reps. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (4th District, Quezon City), Gary Alejano (Party-list, MAGDALO), Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st District, Davao City), Jericho Jonas Nograles (Party-list, PBA), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Ferdinand Hernandez (2nd District, South Cotabato), Robert Ace Barbers (2nd District, Surigao del Norte), Alfredo Garbin (Party-list, AKO BICOL), Rodel Batocabe (Party-list, AKO BICOL),Christopher Co (Party-list, AKO BICOL), Prospero Pichay Jr. (1st District, Surigao del Sur), Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Rozzano Rufino Biazon (Lone District, Muntinlupa City), Maximo Rodriguez Jr.(2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin), Frederick Abueg (2nd District, Palawan), Vilma Santos-Recto (6th District, Batangas), Amado Espino Jr. (5th District, Pangasinan), Edgar Erice (2nd District, Caloocan City), Arnolfo Teves Jr. (3rd District, Negros Oriental), Sol Aragones (3rd District, Laguna), Aniceto Bertiz III (Party-list, ACTS OFW), Roger Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte), Joey Sarte Salceda (2nd District, Albay), Leopoldo Bataoi l(2nd District, Pangasinan), Florida Robes (Lone District, San Jose Del Monte City), Jose Panganiban Jr. (Party-list, ANAC-IP), Michelle Antonio (Party-list, AGBIAG), Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd District, Cebu), Juliette Uy (2nd District, Misamis Oriental), Manuel Jose Dalipe (2nd District, Zamboanga City), Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Paranaque City), Wes Gatchalian (1st District, Valenzuela City), Wilter Wee Palma II (1st District, Zamboanga Sibugay), Deogracias Victor Savellano (1st District, Ilocos Sur), Micaela Violago (2nd District, Nueva Ecija), Joaquin Chipeco Jr. (2nd District, Laguna), Raul Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City), Ana Christina Siquian Go (2nd District, Isabela), Scott Davies Lanete (3rd District, Masbate), Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. (2nd District, Camarines Sur), Celso Lobregat (1st District, Zamboanga City), Isagani Amatong (3rd District, Zamboanga del Norte), Arlene Arcillas (1st District, Laguna), Rosemarie Arenas (3rd District, Pangasinan), Anthony Bravo (Party-list, COOP NATCCO), Sabiniano Canama (Party-list, COOP NATCCO), Emmi de Jesus (Party-list, GABRIELA), Abdullah Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte), Evelina Escudero (1st District, Sorsogon),Mark Go (Lone District, Baguio City), Fernando Gonzalez (3rd District, Albay), Carlito Marquez (Lone District, Aklan), John Marvin Nieto (3rd District, Manila), Noel Villanueva (3rd District, Tarlac), Ma. Lucille Nava (Lone District, Guimaras), Sherwin Tugna (Party-list, CIBAC), Orestes Salon (Party-list, AGRI), Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st District, Samar), Angelina Tan (4th District, Quezon), Jose Tejada (3rd District, North Cotabato), Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso (2nd District, Cagayan), Manuel Zubiri (3rd District, Bukidnon), Pantaleon Alvarez (1st District, Davao del Norte), Rodolfo Fariñas (1st District, Ilocos Norte), Danilo Suarez (3rd District, Quezon), Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City), Tricia Nicole Velasco-Catera (Party-list, MATA), Eleanor Bulut-Begtang (Lone District, Apayao), Strike Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Eric Olivarez (1st District, Parañaque City), Rico Geron (Party-list, AGAP), Arthur Yap (2nd District, Tarlac), Gavini Pancho (2nd District, Bulacan), Rodante Marcoleta (Party-list, SAGIP), Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan), Juan Pablo Bondoc (4th District, Pampanga), Arthur Defensor Jr. (3rd District, Iloilo), Ann Hofer (2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay), Aurelio Gonzales (3rd District, Pampanga), Victoria Isabel Noel (Party-list, AN WARAY). Gerald Anthony Gullas (1st District, Cebu), Arnel Ty (Party-list, LPGMA), Johnny Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), Francisco Jose Matugas II (1st District, Surigao del Norte), Marlyn Alonte (Lone District, Biñan City), Christopher De Venecia (4th District, Pangasinan), Benhur Lopez (Party-list, YACAP), Jose Enrique Garcia (2nd District, Bataan), Salvador Belaro (Party-list, 1-ANG EDUKASYON), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party-list, BAGONG HENERASYON), Cristina Roa-Puno (1st District, Antipolo City), Jose Atienza Jr. (Party-list, BUHAY), Eugene Michael De Vera (Party-list, ABS), Harry Roque Jr. (Party-list, KABAYAN), Luis Jose Campos (2nd District, Makati City), and Ron Salo (Party-list, KABAYAN). / MVIP | Congress-pr
