Agencies that refuse to accept the national ID as sufficient valid proof of identity without just cause are punishable with a fine of P500,000, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

This is based on the Republic Act 11055 or the PhilSys Act, wherein penalties ranging from P50,000 up to P5 million are penalized to people or entities that commit crimes related to the Philippine Identification (PhilID) such as submitting fraud identity.

For instance, submitting a fictitious name or false information in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), from registration to updating, will put the person behind bars for three to six years and will be fined about P1 million to P3 million.

Such penalties also apply to unauthorized printing, preparation, or issuance of a PhilID; the falsification, mutilation, alteration, or tampering of the ID; and the possession of a fake, falsified, or altered ID.

The law also penalizes the same penalties for those who use and possess another person’s PhilID or PSN without reasonable excuse, or willfully transfer a PhilID or PSN to any other person.

Meanwhile, the submission of fictitious names or false information in PhilSys, from registration to updating, is punishable with three to six years imprisonment and a fine of P1 million to P3 million.

PhilID not sufficient?

In the past years, reports about establishments not accepting the national ID as valid proof of identity, citing that there should be another valid proof.

However, the law states that the national ID will serve as the official government-issued identification document for national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and all private sector entities.

The PSA also reiterated that the national ID is one of the four primary identification documents and will be sufficient to present as a valid ID.

In case such happens, it reminded to report these establishments through its Facebook (facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial), hotline (1388), or email ([email protected]). The message shall include the name of the establishment and its branch, the date of transaction, and the nature of transaction.

Fraudulent cases

The agency also warned against the manipulation of photos on national IDs circulating in social media.

“The PSA reminds the public to remain vigilant, verify sources of information, and be aware of misleading content that undermines the credibility of the Philippine Identification System,” it said.

In addition, the PSA also informed the public to be wary of people on social media who ask for e-wallet money in exchange for national ID.

The national ID is free and can only be authorized and delivered by the Philippine Statistics Authority.