Group insists national ID system is a repressive tool
MANILA, Philippines — A rights group on Tuesday said the rolling out of a single identification system in the country would lead to wholesale rights violations despite the assurance of President Rodrigo Duterte that it would not violate privacy and suppress civil liberties.
Duterte on Monday signed the Philippine Identification System Act, which he said would reduce corruption, improve the delivery of basic services and serve as an instrument to keep the public safe.
Once implemented, users would have just one ID for all government transactions.
The ID card will contain the bearer’s identification system number, full name, facial image, date of birth, address and fingerprints.
But Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the national ID system would be used to monitor citizens and even harass them.
“The national ID system will be an underhanded maneuver to screen and monitor people. This law will be very much prone to abuse, considering that our bureaucracy is already littered with militarists and ex-generals who have proven their contempt for people’s rights,” Palabay said.
She emphasized the “danger” of giving such information to the government.
“This is a draconian measure that does not address problems within the bureaucracy but would rather aggravate the repression already experienced by communities and individuals,” Palabay said.
Duterte, however, said there is no basis for the apprehensions about the Phil-ID as the Philippine Statistics Authority would work closely with the National Privacy Commission, Department of Information and Communications Technology, among others to address all privacy and security concerns.
Karapatan also dismissed the claim of Duterte that the ID system would aid in the government’s drive against corruption.
“This regime sells this law as a cure for efficiency, conveniently leaving out that inefficiency in government transactions is deeply rooted in a corrupt system. Corruption remains unsolved as the most shameless plunderers have crept back into power, with the permission and helping hand of the Duterte regime,” Palabay said.
NPC, PNP welcome Phil-ID
The NPC and the Philippine National Police welcomed the signing of the national ID law.
NPC commissioner Raymund Liboro said the agency would endeavor to ensure the full protection of the data privacy rights of the people.
“The public may be rest assured that the NPC shall continuously press for the adoption of internationally accepted data protection and privacy standards in the implementation of the National ID such as the deployment of Privacy by Design approach and the adoption and comprehensive application of the NPC’s Data Privacy Accountability and Compliance Framework,” Liboro said.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the measure “has become a necessity for any developing country to keep pace with global trends of technology in governance.”
- Latest
- Trending
