Defensor: Nat’l ID to help find fugitives from justice

Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor Sr. PN FILE

ILOILO City – Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor Sr. believes a national identification system will be a huge help to law enforcement.

Specifically, it will facilitate the hunt for fugitives from justice, Defensor stressed as he expressed support to the passage of the bill establishing the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

The PhilSys may also provide more information on the identity of crime suspects or missing persons, said the governor.

Gusto ko na. Kabudlay kon waay sang (national) ID system,” Defensor said. “Ang ginapangita ta nga tawo mahapos mapangita kon may ID system. Kag kon ang tawo may salâ, madali sia madakpan.”

Senate Bill 1738, or “An Act Establishing the Philippine Identification System,” was approved on third and final reading on March 19. Seventeen senators voted in favor and two dissented.

A similar measure was passed in the House of Representatives in September last year.

That many will oppose the measure for various reasons is not lost on Defensor but the governor insisted on what he believes will be the proposed policy’s benefits.

“You cannot force everybody to agree, especially kon minilyon ang sugilanonan ta,” he said.

Under the bill, the PhilSys will be made available to all citizens and resident aliens in the Philippines.

Each will be issued a National ID card, which will contain the bearer’s PhilSys Number, or PSN; full name; sex; date of birth; place of birth; address; nationality (Filipino or Resident Alien); and fingerprint information.

The inclusion of the bearer’s mobile number and email address is optional.

The National ID card may serve as an official government-issued identification document that the cardholders may use for transactions at national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and any private sector entity, the bill said./PN

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