Press Release
January 8, 2008

ESCUDERO JUNKS NATIONAL ID SCHEME, SAYS FILIPINOS ALREADY HAVE EXISTING ONES IN PHILHEALTH CARDS

Opposition Senator Chiz Escudero today slammed the government's plan to revive the national ID scheme saying the plan has doubtful benefits with only one clear purpose which is to put dog tags on every Filipino.

Escudero said there is no need to issue a consolidated singular id since Filipinos already possess one with a clear provision for social services in the form of the Phil Health cards.

"An ideal national ID should be a social services tool. It should be one that would entitle the holder to assistance and benefits and not as a security instrument foisted at the expense of the peoples privacy" Escudero said.

He went on to say that the PhilHealth Card fits the bill as it is already a de facto national ID. Republic Act 7875, the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, mandates the universal and compulsory coverage of Filipinos in a national health insurance system.

Escudero said Section 2 of the said act requires all citizens to enroll in the system to avoid adverse selection and social inequity. Section 8 meanwhile entitles the bearer to a "health insurance card" to be issued by the local PhilHealth office for the purpose of identifying the members, verify eligibility and record utilization of benefits.

Instead of embarking on a Holy Grail-like chase for a national ID, Escudero said it would do well for government to expand PhilHealth. "The new ID system will only create a lucrative ID lamination industry out of yet another public document with low social acceptability because of its equally low social purpose".

The senator said Malacanang should instead just use the PhilHealth card as national ID to save on unnecessary expenses. A national ID system designed in the security mold, Escudero said, will be costly. "Either, it will be given gratis, which will burn a hole in the government's pocket, or be subjected to a fee, which will invite complaints from an already overtaxed public". Periodic renewal should also be factored in as updated information should be an ID's security feature.

Phil health ID cum national ID will even earn money for the government or at best revenue neutral as people will voluntarily buy health insurance if they see value for money in it.

If the national ID will be intertwined with PhilHealth, Escudero said the government will be ensuring health and public security at the same time. "Palace should seriously consider using the existing PhilHealth card as national ID. This way the burden of performance, of enrolling more people in PhilHealth will fall on the government rather than on the people, should an ID designed by the security apparatus of the state will be foisted on them."

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