National ID System

Philippine Identification System

-It’s A system that centralizes all personal information of Filipino citizens
and generates a Philippine ID and Philippine system number that will be
used to authenticate their identity in all government and private sector
transactions. This includes applications for drivers ‘license, passport, tax-
related transactions, voters registration, application to school, and bank
transactions.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11055

 Objectives – The PhilSys shall primarily be established to provide a valid proof of

identity for all citizens 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.
 Scope and Application- This Act shall apply to all natural persons in all
transactions where the PhilSys Number, Philippine Identification(PhilID) or
biometric information is required, presented, or used, whether legally or illegally,
within or outside the Republic of the Philippines.
 Definition of Terms- As used this act:
(a) Authentication refers to the process of verifying, whether online or offline, the
identity of an individual against the registry information in the PhilSys or PhilID.
(b) Biometric exceptions refer to instances whereby a citizen is not able to give
complete set of biometrics as required by PhilSys but is nevertheless admitted into
the PhilSys.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO.
11055
 PhilSys Registry Data – Information to be collected and stored under the PhilSys shall be limited to
the following:
A. Demographic Data
B. Biometrics Information
 Basic Documentary Requirements- The registration centers shall require the presentation of the
applicant’s birth certificate as a basic documentary requirement for identification of citizens seeking
to register with the PhilSys: Provided, that for resident, proof of his or her residence in the Philippines
shall be required.
 Change of Entries – In case of change in any of the entries in the information collected and stored
under the PhilSys, citizens or resident aliens shall update their registration information in the manner
to be specified by the PSA.

 Limitations – Proof of identity shall not necessary be construed as proof of eligibility to avail of
certain benefits and services which shall be determined based on applicable.
 Information Campaign- Within three(3) months from the effectivity of this act, the PSA, together
with the DFA and other government agencies, shall undertake an extensive information campaign to
promote the PhiSys to all, citizens and resident aliens.
 Funding- The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act.
 Effect of implementing National ID

GOOD EFFECT
 The national ID system is expected to improve the efficiency of government services, resulting in
shorter lines and transaction times.
 Seniors won’t even need to apply for a senior citizen ID once they hit 60 because their national ID
shows their birthdate, which means they can immediate enjoy their senior citizen discount and
benefits.
 The PhilID card will have the same security features used in passports, banknotes, and other
government IDs worldwide. Fraudsters will find it difficulty to copy the card and produce fake ID cards.

BAD EFFECT

 The PhilSys will provide the government with access to massive personal data of residents in the
Philippines. Data privacy advocates specifically question the “The record history” provision in the
national ID law. This means the government can tract every transaction made using the PhilID. When
abused or misused, this could lead to privacy violation.
 Crucial issues that need to be
resolved regarding the Rules
 Mandatory issuance of the PhilID- The Rules contain contradictory provisio ns
as regards the mandatory nature of the issuance of the PhilID.
 Used of other identity documents- It is not clear if people will be allowed to
present other identity documents when transacting with government or the private
sector. They should. Government agencies and private entities should be
prohibited from making the PhilID the only acceptable proof of a person’s identity.
In other countries, people have actually died because they could not produce their
national ID.
 Handling biometric exceptions- The Rules remain unclear how people who are
unable to have their biometric information collected will be allowed to get an ID.
This problem has led discrimination, starvation, and even death in other countries.
 Introducer-based registration- Supposedly intended to benefit people who
have traditionally been unable to get IDs, this system is very much prone to
corruption and fraud. The Rules doesn’t say how this problem will be avoided, or at
least minimized.
 Shadow databases- The rules allow for “offline authentication”, which
essentially means those able to conduct it must have a copy of the PhilSys
database in their possession. This is a very dangerous proposition that exposes
the system to more and greater risks.
 Deactivation of the ID number or the cancellation of ID- The rules talks
about grounds for deactivating a person’s PSN or cancelling his or her PhilID,
most of which do not make sense. It’s impossible to explain why a person’s Id
number, which only means to prove his or her identity, should be deactivated
simply because that person died or misused his or her ID.
 Handling of authentication failures- As more government agencies and
private sector companies rely on the national ID for identity verification,
authentication failures could also lead to worse consequences for every affected
individual. How they will be avoided is not taken up in the rules.
 Application in purely digital transactions- Considering the government
agencies and private companies, the rules are surprisingly silent regarding its
application in purely digital transactions.