TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -2 P5:21 SEN 935 Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 11055, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM ACT OF 2017" EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 11055, also known as the "Philippine Identification System Act" (PhilSys Act), was signed into law to create a single identification system for all Filipino citizens as well as resident aliens of the Philippines. Based on this law, a national identification card to be issued to each registered individual must contain on its face the PhilSys Number (PSN), full name, sex, blood type, marital status (optional), place of birth, a front-facing photograph, date of birth, and address. In a 2022 World Bank article exploring how national ID systems can be made more inclusive, safe, and trustworthy, one key recommendation was to limit the exposure of data, such as the PSN, to strengthen the privacy and security measures of the citizens' national IDs. While the PSN is not printed on the front of the Philys card, it remains identifiable as it is subtly embedded in microprint on the back. This increases the risk of potential misuse including but not limited to identity theft, fraudulent activities, or unwarranted monitoring or profiling. An instance in 2024 illustrated this risk, as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) issued a warning to the public to be vigilant against unauthorized individuals approaching cardholders and taking photographs of their national ID in exchange of cash, as this is crucial in preventing identity theft and fraud. Hence, this proposed measure seeks to amend the PhilSys Act to eliminate any visible or printed representation of the PSN on the card, including microprinted forms.
Instead, the PSN will be securely encoded along with biometric information within the card's QR code. By doing this, access to the PSN will be strictly limited to authorized parties, who must follow regulated authentication procedures in compliance with current privacy laws and data protection standards. In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly sought. Senator
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -2 P5:21 SENATE S. No. 39 Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 11055, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM ACT OF 2017" Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. - Section 7C(1) of Republic Act No. 11055, otherwise known as the
2 "Philippine Identification System Act", is hereby amended to read as follows: (1) Features. - The PhillD shall be the physical medium issued to convey essential information about the person's identity containing on its face the [PSA,] full name, sex, blood type, marital status (optional), place of birth, a front facing photograph, date of birth, and address of the individual in whose favor it was issued. All information appearing in the PhilID should match with the registered information in the PhilSys. The PhilID shall contain QR Code which contains, THE PSN, some fingerprint information and other security features as safeguards for data privacy and security, and prevention against the proliferation of fraudulent or falsified identification cards. The PSA in consideration of advances in technology, utility, security and confidentiality may, subject to appropriate guidelines that shall be issued on the matter, provide citizens or resident aliens with mobile PhilID.
Sec. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Sec. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,