The controversy surrounding Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) decision to terminate its contract with its current card supplier for the issuance of the National IDs has now caught the eye of the Senate, with a probe looming on the horizon.

It has crossed Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel's mind to recommend a pause in the implementation of the National ID program to make way for a comprehensive review of its actual benefit to the public.

Pimentel is set to file a resolution in the coming week to investigate the matter.

 
"Ano na ba ang coverage, kumusta ba yung gamit ng ID, ano bang nararamdamang benepisyo ng ating mamamayan dyan sa ID na yan? (What's the coverage now, how is the ID being used, what benefit does the public get from these IDs?)" he said during a DWIZ interview Saturday, Aug. 31.

He said these were queries that must be answered during the upcoming Senate investigation.

He also stated that there are currently a lot of "fake Filipinos" who made use of the so-called "hole" in the late registration to get birth certificates, meaning that there are several of them who are currently in possession of these National IDs.

Pimentel also pointed out that it's time to ask Filipinos who acquired their National IDs regarding its overall benefit to their lives in terms of its usage or if it has served its intended use. 

Pimentel said that the if the government agencies concerned fail to justify the intented advantage these IDs provide, they would recommend for the pause of the program to make way for its review.

"Ang recommendation siguro natin is plantsahin ang programa, ayusin, at in the meantime puwede nating i-pause (What our recommendation would be is to improve the program, fix it, and in the meantime, pause it)," he said.

"Pindutin natin yung pause button intindihin natin ulit para saan ba ito, magkano ginagastos, stop muna yung mga gatusin, ayusin natin. Kasi kami mambabatas naman kami kung sasabihin nila malabo yung batas, then sabihin nila, ayusin namin (Let's hit the pause button, and remind ourselves again the reason for this program, how much is being spent, stop the expenses, and fox this. Also, we're lawmekers, if they tell us there's a problem in the law, they can tell us so we can resolve it)," he added. 

Following BSP's termination of its contract with the current card supplier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said it is taking necessary measures to ensure the uninterrupted issuance of National IDs.

In a statement on Thursday, Aug. 29, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa expressed confidence in the BSP's assessment and decision while stressing the importance of keeping the ID issuance process ongoing.