MANILA – The Bicameral Conference Committee approved Tuesday night the bill seeking to establish the Philippine Identification System.
The National ID bill aims to provide a single official identification for all Filipinos and foreign residents.
“Good news” was how Malacañang described the committee’s approval. “It’s a priority admin bill,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.
The committee agreed to adopt the Senate version with minor amendments, said Sen. Panfilo Lacson. “May suggestion sila. Basta, substantially, Senate version iyan.”
The measure is expected to be implemented this year, Lacson said. It will have an initial funding of P25 billion.
“Ma-ratify ng both Houses, enrolled bill iyan,” he said. “(Ang passage into law) within 30 days. Kasi ’pag ’di pinirmahan in 30 days mag-lapse into law. So, give or take, by June end or before end of June, batas na iyan.”
Lacson hopes President Rodrigo Duterte reports on the National ID measure in his State of the Nation Address in July.
“This is a landmark legislation. It’s been languishing in both Houses for 18 years,” said the senator.
“Medyo controversial kasi panahon ni (President Fidel V. Ramos), na-struck down pa ng (Supreme Court) as unconstitutional simply because kailangan i-legislate, hindi pwedeng (Executive Order),” he noted.
Lacson stressed that the measure is “encompassing.” “All 109 million Filipinos should register and acquire [the National] ID.”/PN
