Makabayan bloc: National ID system infringes on right to privacy

Progressive lawmakers on Thursday reiterated their warning that the looming passage of the National Identification System bill would pose serious threats to the country’s security and infringe on the right to privacy.

The House Makabayan bloc’s warning came after the bicameral conference committee approved on Tuesday night the bill seeking to establish the Philippine Identification System.

The proposed measure seeks to integrate multiple government IDs by establishing a single national identification system to be known as the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys.

READ: Senate, House panels OK national ID system

“Ito ay pag-infringe sa right to privacy, right against surveillance and other forms of civil rights violations kaya po tinatanggihan natin itong national ID system,” Gabriel Rep. Arlene Brosas said in a briefing.

Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago also denounced how the data gathered for the ID system could be used by the government in its surveillance against critics.

“Dagdag bala yan sa Duterte administration na mahilig magpatahimik, manggipit at mag-criminalize ng dissent dun sa mga local na tumututol sa kanilang mga patakaran. Maaari nila itong gamitin sa paniniktik at mas matinding surveillance sa mga kritiko,” Elago pointed out.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate also raised that this system would leave Filipinos vulnerable to data breach.

“We are reiterating na hindi ito hundred percent na ang mga data ay maproteksyunan ng gobyerno na ilalagak natin sa PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority). Alam naman natin na napakaraming breach of information ngayon at malaking usapin na ang systems ng PSA operated by foreign company, Unisys,” he said.

“Hindi malayo na itong ating data ma-hack and it can be used sa kaparaang criminal, or commercial,” he added.

READ: National ID system: Zarate sees threats to sovereignty, security

P2-B funding 

Brosas also criticized the program’s P2 billion funding, which she said should have been allocated to fund reforms in basic social services.

“Gusto lang namin pagdiinan na ‘yung sinasabi ng gobyerno na ito ang solusyon para ‘yung mga tao ay makakuha ng serbisyo ay hindi naman talaga ito ang solusyon,” the lawmaker said.

“In fact ang dapat ayusin ‘yung mga kailangang basic services ng mga tao at hindi kinakailangan ‘yung ID. Tapos P2 billion funding ito, samantalang nangangailangan na nga tayo ng mga basic services,” she continued.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chair of the House appropriations committee, earlier ensured a P2-billion funding for the ID system for 2018. /muf