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Sunday, October 27, 2002
Angara urges Palace to cease testing of ID system
OPPOSITION lawmakers have sounded the alarm against testing the ID system in local governments without first getting legislative approval.
"There is a general fear that the pilot-tests in the local government level will duly prejudice the rights of citizens. It should be stopped," said Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the senate committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws and electoral reforms.
National Security Adviser Roilo Golez earlier said the soft-start pilot test of the national ID system in local governments would encourage LGUs to pass an ordinance mandating the use of national ID for government transactions.
After the October 21, 2002 meeting between the President, some 20 mayors, including those from Cebu and Baguio offered to pilot-test a local ID system while waiting for Congress to come up with a law implementing nation-wide system.
Angara said that the pilot-testing of the national ID system validates the criticism on Malacañang's propensity for piece meal and unstudied programs.
"The pilot-testing of the ID's was done without consulting the various government agencies that issue ID cards. It was done without making sure that the ID's being pilot- tested intrude on the zone of privacy of citizens," said Angara.
The SC voting 8-6, four years ago junked former President Fidel V. Ramos' proposal for a national ID system under his Administrative Order No. 308 issued on December 1996.
Citing the same SC ruling, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said it should be Congress, not Malacañang that should set the rules on a national ID system.
Angara said a senate technical working (TWO) group has presented to his committee a draft bill on the national ID system, which the TWG both serves the need for an ID and protects the private lives of individuals.
Under the draft bill, the government "will not be empowered to act as Big Brother," said Angara.
"There will be no Orwellian nightmare and dog tags on individuals," he added.
In junking the national ID system then President Ramos wants implemented, the SC said there is a "clear and present danger" the system would infringe on everyone's right to privacy.
"The Court will not be true to its role as the ultimate guardian of the people's liberty if it would not immediately smother the sparks that endanger their rights but would rather wait for the fire that could consume them," the SC said in a 35-page ruling.
In the decision, Justice Reynato Puno said the "existence of this vast reservoir of personal information" constitutes a covert invitation to misuse, a temptation that may be too great for some of our authorities to resist," the Court warned.
The SC likewise said that the implementation of the ID system would likewise violate the Constitutionally-guaranteed Bill of Rights, in which one's right to privacy, liberty of abode and travel are made "inviolable."
The Court also dismissed the claim of the Ramos government, that the ID system is no law because it confers no right, imposes no duty, affords no protection and creates no office.
"It is clear as daylight that without the ID, a citizen will have difficulty exercising his rights and enjoying his privileges. Given this reality, the contention that AO 308 gives no right and imposes not duty cannot stand," Puno wrote.
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