In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on the proposed measure seeking to establish a National ID system.

Quotes from the interview… 

On the bicameral conference meeting on the National ID bill:
“Pinatanggal ng House ang word ‘foundational’ and ‘functional.’ Inalis na. But the content, ang substance, foundational pa rin. Remember during our floor deliberations, 2 lang ang importanteng masagot. Who are you? And are you who you claim to be? Yan ang importante. Kaya ang ibang additional requirements pa, hindi talagang importante because after all we have these functional IDs na pwede gamitin na iba-back up mo ng national ID.”
“Halimbawa punta ka sa bangko, Pag-IBIG o LTO, papakita mo lang ang ID mo o number mo, easily either online or offline ma-check kung ikaw talaga yan. So mabilis ang transaction, whether it’s with government, public or private.”

On whether the Senate or House version was adopted:
“They agreed to adopt the Senate version with minor amendments. May suggestion sila. Basta substantially Senate version yan.”
“Ie-enrol. Enrolled bill. Then pag enrolled ang bill, punta sa Malacanang. Within 30 days kailangan pirmahan.”

On the implementation of the National ID system:
“Implementation this year. May initial funding na yan, P25 billion.”

On the bill’s ratification and passage into law:
“Ma-ratify ng both Houses, enrolled bill yan.”
“(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 yan.”

On whether President Duterte will report on the National ID law in his SONA:
“I hope so. This is a landmark legislation. It’s been languishing in both Houses for 18 years. Medyo controversial kasi panahon ni PFVR, na-struck down pa ng SC as unconstitutional simply because kailangan i-legislate hindi pwedeng EO. Kasi lahat all-encompassing, all 109m Filipinos should register and acquire our IDs.”

On the National ID as a ‘backup’ ID:
“Yan ang backup ID. Halimbawa ang SSS may requirement sila kung member ka ng SSS gamitin mo SSS ID mo pero madali ma-check kung ikaw yan by presenting your ID. Or kung mag-open ka ng account sa bangko, magse-secure ka ng loan, ito na lang ID papakita mo. Unlike ngayon or before it will be passed, pakita ka 2 government IDs maski saan ka pumunta pag transact ka maski private entities sasabihin sa iyo present 2 government IDs, gusto pa may picture. At least mababawasan ang katakot-takot na ID sa bulsa at bag ninyo. Di ba minsan pag naghahanap kayo ng cell phone ang hirap magkalkal kasi kung anu-aong natatabig sa loob ng bag kasi ang daming ID.”
“Pag transact ng business it will be very convenient.”

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