Business group thumbs up natl ID system

A business group backed Thursday the government's plan to implement a unified identification system, GMANews.TV learned. Jesus Arranza, president of Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), said they see nothing wrong with a multi-purpose ID system. The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed Wednesday the constitutionality of Executive Order (EO) 420 allowing the government to adopt a unified identification system. Arranza believed a multi-purpose ID would provide more benefits to the public compared to its supposed drawbacks. He further said the public has no reason to fear the implementation of the unified ID system if they indeed abide by the law anyway. EO 420 allows all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, to adopt a unified multi-purpose ID system, primarily to "streamline and integrate the processes and issuance of identification cards in government to reduce costs and to provide greater convenience for those transacting business with government." The government envisions the system to "facilitate private businesses, enhance the integrity and reliability of government-issued identification cards in private transactions, and prevent violations of laws involving false names and identities." The director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has been tasked to "harmonize all government ID systems" and to promulgate rules or regulations for the implementation of the system. Critics of the executive order said the law violates the Constitution, particularly the provision on a person's right to privacy.-GMANews.TV