SWS: 70% of Filipinos support national ID system

MANILA, Philippines — Seven in every 10 Filipinos are supporting the implementation of the Philippine Identification Systems (PhilSys), according to a recent survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The second quarter survey, conducted from June 27 to 30 with the results released Tuesday night, showed that 73 percent of adult Filipinos approved of the proposal to have a single ID for the different identification cards currently held by Filipinos.

Eighteen percent of the respondents disapproved of the proposal, while nine percent said they did not know enough to give an opinion on the matter.

The survey was conducted following the proposal’s ratification by both chambers of Congress early this year, but before President Duterte signed it into law last Monday.

Asked to rate the program’s impact on their lives, 32 percent said it will be a very big help, 28 percent answered big help, 26 percent moderate help and eight percent little help.

The remaining five percent said PhilSys will be almost no help at all.

On the issue of data protection, a majority of respondents – 61 percent – said they trust the government to protect the private information contained in the national ID.

Eight percent disagreed, while 30 percent were undecided.

The survey also found that 49 percent have much trust that the government will not use PhilSys against those who oppose them.

Thirteen percent said they have little trust in the government in terms of using it against the opposition, while 39 percent are undecided.

The June 2018 survey showed that there is strong support for PhilSys across all geographic areas.

The survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a sampling error margin of +/- three percent.

IT experts raise concerns

Meanwhile, information technology experts and professionals have expressed privacy and security concerns over the implementation of the project.

In a statement, the Computer Professionals’ Union (CPU) said the inclusion of “record history” that details when and where the ID has been used will act as a virtual tracker for holders of the card.

“While the need to streamline service might be valid, it should not be at the expense of our constitutionally and universally recognized rights to privacy, freedom of movement and non-discrimination,” it said.

It noted that the data stored in the card would be a treasure trove for entities such as data brokers, employers, landlords, credit agencies, mortgage brokers, direct mailers, civil litigants, hackers and even the government. 

“Its misuse, abuse and leaks will have grave impacts on our privacy and security,” said the group.

CPU said PhilSys can become a convenient pretense for broader state surveillance and police powers over citizens.

“This becomes relevant amid the prevailing environment of state-condoned impunity and violence against its people, impunity and persecution of perceived enemies of the ruling administration,” the group said.

“While the law repeatedly states that the national ID shall only be used as a proof of identity, it is not far-fetched that in the future such data will be used for purposes other than those stated in the law – especially as data is becoming a very lucrative venture that earns billions for the private sector,” it added.

The IT professionals noted incidents of data privacy breach, such as the so-called Comeleak that compromised personal data of some 55 million voters.

“Instead of using P30 billion to create a complicated national ID system, we’d be far better served by modernizing, cleaning and standardizing systems and databases that are already in use,” CPU said.

“It would even be better if the same amount of money can be spent on the delivery of basic social services like health, education and housing to all Filipinos,” it added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) welcomed the results of the poll.

“I’m very happy to hear that news. I appreciate SWS for doing the survey,” PSA civil registrar general Lisa Bersales said at a press briefing yesterday. 

Bersales also assured the public that the law would not violate privacy. 

“We plan to have a Privacy Impact Assessment of our National ID System which should be done by a third party – this is just to assure everyone that PSA has already instituted proper rules, guidelines, both technical and processes to ensure privacy of our citizens and those that are in the database,” she said. – With Alexis Romero