Misor vice guv to push for national ID system; enjoins Duterte to support bill

By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent

Re-elected vice-governor Joey Pelaez has asked presumptive President Rodrigo Durterte to sign into law and implement House Bill No. 5060 (or the proposed Filipino Identification System Act) which requires all Filipinos, whether residing here or abroad, to apply for registration and issuance of a national identification card.

Pelaez told reporters after he was proclaimed on Tuesday evening that he is bent to pass a resolution asking the new administration as his priority legislation in his second term of office to implement National ID System.

“I-implement na ang national ID system to protect the security of the people not only in Misamis Oriental but to the entire country,” he said.

He said other countries have national ID systems why not implement here, saying, “This will also protect citizenry from any threat of terrorism. Any person who do not have the ID can be considered as an enemy of the state.”

“Madali ra unya madakpan ang mga terrorista tungod kay masubay naman kung duna kay ID,” he added.

He said sim cards sold by telecommunication networks can always be traced because people cannot just purchase anything without presenting their ID.

“Dali na unya ma-traced unnamed text messages. The theme of the new president is safety and security. One of the best way to that is to implement the national ID system,” he pointed out.

Under House Bill No. 5060, the ID card shall bear the cardholder’s photo, name, signature, birth date, gender, date of issue, serial number and such other data that may be deemed necessary by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The card, which is required to be made of tamper-proof security material, shall be non-transferable and valid for life.

It may be replaced only (a) when a child becomes of legal age at 18 years old; (b) there is a change in name or family name by virtue of a court order or application of law, such as a woman who adopts her husband’s surname; (c) in case of loss or destruction; and (d) for other revisions deemed necessary by the cardholder, e.g., changes in facial features due to age or medical intervention.

Pelaez said other Filipinos living abroad would have to apply for the card at the Philippine Embassy or consular office nearest to their place of residence.

The card shall be required for all government transactions, such as, application for driver’s license and passport; availment of benefits from the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig), and clearance application with the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police and the courts.