Arguing about the Philippine ID system

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Executive Order 420, directing all government agencies to adopt a "multi-purpose ID system," allegedly as part of the government's anti-terrorism campaign.

While terrorism has been the main driving force this previously-suggested identification system, the generic purpose is ideally the convenience of using single ID to cover almost (of course school ID are different) all government transactions.

To those who fear about privacy and human rights issues, ask the residents of Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, Switzerland and Germany and ask them if there was any infringement of privacy issues with its implementation.

In the Philippines, opposing parties try to discredit an effort by the government to try to put order into its citizens especially when dealing with everyday transactions. They simply hate the government (and who doesn't if the people working for it are lameduck?) and see whatever the government does is attributed to its efforts to impose power grabbing measures.

Gregorio Rosal of the Communist Party of the Philippines thought that it would pave way to martial law by the Arroyo administration.

"It is certain that EO 420 has very contentious and infamous contents and provisions that will not survive the critique and opposition of human rights advocates."

Same idea sprang out from the mind of Crispin Beltran of Anakpawis.

They don't know the other benefits of the unified ID system. Minors are clearly identified in their attempts to buy cigarette sticks or denied entry at night clubs. Or in claiming new credit cards, used as driver's license, proof of identity in claiming cash and gift prizes and several other uses. It's effectivity lies in the hands of those who implement it. Bank tellers should not abuse it. Neither should policemen, real estate agents or tax collectors. And imagine for a foreigner like me here in Hong Kong who have an ID to tuck in my wallet instead of bringing bulky passport everywhere I go instead of putting on my SSS, OWWA, company ID, library and credit cards to inflate my butt.

Apart from bringing benefits to the public, the government in its lawful implementation will have a boost in its crackdown against illegal immigrants, money laundering and illegal activities.

It's not a fool-proof remedy against terrorism or interstate crimes. Spain has its national ID system but still got bombed last year. But somehow people should take a serious look at it first before throwing baseless accusations.

Shirley Leung, a Hong Kong citizen living in London says, " I come from Hong Kong and have been living here in London for 8 years now. We are all accustomed to ID cards in HK and I have never found it in any way an infringement to my rights of liberty."

Former President Fidel Ramos introduced this one about a decade ago but was stopped short by the Supreme Court, ruling it unconstitutional.

Personally I would endorse it, but the problem I see is that many rogues are present in the government that its best efforts will unfortunately fall into dirty hands and its image gets tarnished forever.