Miriam slams national ID system

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

Ilongga senator Miriam Defensor -Santiago has strongly criticized the proposed national ID (identification) system.

“I'm definitely against it,” Santiago told members of the press March 8. She was here in Iloilo City to speak before the International Women's Day forum at her alma mater, University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV).

Santiago noted, the national ID system was already proposed years ago as she even stressed that former President Fidel Ramos issued an executive order making the ID compulsory for all. “It's not a new idea,” she said.

Santiago said the proposal will serve as an ID for all purposes. The issue being pushed , she added, is that “it will help prevent terrorism”. However, she has questioned its effectiveness saying, “if we have IDs, could we stop terrorism?”

The senator also cited the costly procedure in having the said ID system. She even declared it “useless” since it only bears picture and signature citing that even the passports are still being faked .

“It has to be digitalized,” Santiago explained there should be a machine for that but it is “very expensive”. She added that there is no need for the ID since “we are not a developed state and still having a financial crisis”.

“What (the ID) for when all are being forged nowadays,” Santiago argued.