FVR Determined To Implement The Nat'l ID System
President Ramos defies critics of the National ID System and remains steadfast in his plan to implement it. Malacanang believes the opposition is a product of ignorance.
The Administrative Order was signed December 12 last year, but it was only announced to the public last week. The ID system was originally contained in a bill to be submitted to Congress for approval. But Malacanang now believes AO 308 is sufficient in implementing an ID system that's likely to meet a lot of resistance in Congress. Opposition senators are threatening to move for the impeachment of the president for bypassing Congress.
According to opposition congressman Joker Arroyo, the President's insistence to implement AO 308 may result to a constitutional crisis. He says Congress may raise the issue to the courts. Congressman Bonifacio Gillego agrees and insist the national ID system "should be subject to congressional action." But Executive Secretary Ruben Torres says critics are too quick to denounce the ID system. Malacanang believes the national ID plan can help speed up government services because each ID will conveniently contain a citizen's various government records. AO 308 does not specify what data will be included in the ID. The details will be specified in the guidelines that Malacanang plans to announce tomorrow.
The National ID System: Is It A Tool For Repression?
Those who support the National ID System believe it serves a practical purpose. But its critics are quick to see a resurgence of martial law, especially those who suffered during the Marcos regime.
MABINI (Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc.) chairman Rene Saguisag says the ID system reminds him of Marcoses' numerous attempts to curb dissent especially since Malacanang did not consult the public nor Congress. Saguisag also fears unscrupulous people might cash in on the ID system, considering it will cost P2 billion. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines also opposes the ID system. They say, instead of easing government transactions, it might lead to corruption.
But Malacanang also has an ally. Businessmen see the ID system as simply a way to make life easier for everyone. Red tape is something business can do without. And if the ID will be effective against crime as the government claims, that's also good for business. Groups opposed to the ID system plan to go to court as soon as they see the guidelines of the Administration Order that implement the ID system.
Roots Of All The Fears
It was in 1992, when the communist insurgency was still a major problem that the idea of an ID system was introduced. Leftist groups opposed it and linked it to a plot to restore martial law. The ID system would have allowed government to pinpoint members of the leftist underground.
According to the draft bill authored by Senator Leticia Shahani, anyone caught without his ID will be arrested. The bill was eventually abandoned. Senator Blas Ople traces the ID plan to the Marcos years. When it was revived last year, the insurgency was already down but the crime rate was on the rise.
The barangay ID system proposed by the Interior department was intended to combat crime. Anyone without an ID in a barangay would be a crime suspect. The present plan is an ID that will simply contain the social security and tax account numbers of a citizen. The purpose of the ID may have evolved over the years from a tool for repression, to a tool for business transaction. But it may take a while longer for it to recover from the trauma of martial law.
Barangay League Starts Its Signature Campaign
The "Liga ng mga Barangay" has begun its signature campaign for a people's initiative. The group is targetting a plebiscite on constitutional amendments within the year. They began their signature campaign last December, distributing petition forms in their localities.
The Liga ng mga Barangay hopes to wrap things up before the end of the year. Liga chairman Alex David says they decided to concentrate the signature drive in the provinces where it's harder to get people to sign up. The Liga's 4-page petition outlines their proposed constitutional amendments aimed at lifting term limits for all elected officials from barangay councilor to the president.
Comelec Commissioner Regalado Maambong saw the petition for the first time today. He says checking the veracity of the signatures will require a lot of time, resources and effort.
Jalosjos: Is He In Or Out
The hunt for Congressman Romeo Jalosjos has entered its 18th day. But authorities are still arguing whether he is still in the country or not.
Justice Secretary Teofisto Guingona has finally ordered prosecutors to file attachment proceedings against the properties of Congressman Jalosjos. Guingona says the longer he hides, the more complicated his situation becomes. Guingona is relying on an intelligence report from the NBI that Jalosjos is still in the country. It was Chief Superintendent Manuel Pepino, who is based in Zamboanga City, who claimed Jalosjos has fled to Indonesia.
Interior Secretary Robert Barbers warns Pepino could get into trouble if his report is not true. The house ethics committee has recommended a 60-day suspension for Jalosjos. The house will vote on it when it resumes session January 20. Social Welfare Secretary Lina Laigo says Jalosjos ought to be expelled.
Only A Powerful Few Enjoy Wealth And Power - Survey
A Social Weather Station survey says more Filipinos now believe only a few influential people enjoy wealth and power. The survey says people who believe the country is being run by a powerful few has tripled from 5 percent in 1992, to 13 percent in 1996. But the same survey shows more people are satisfied with the way democracy works in this country. The SWS says the survey results show ordinary Filipinos feel less empowered.
Meanwhile, President Ramos says the government will get tough with sex offenders especially those who victimize minors. At a program in Malacanang, the President assured some 50 disadvantaged children he would help pay for their education. Among those who met the President was an 18-year old girl whose stepfather had sexually abused since she was 10. She wants to finish college and become a social worker helping victims like herself.
T-Bill Rate Drops
The Benchmark 91-day Treasury Bill rate slid to an average 10.0746 percent from the previous 11.172 percent. It is the the second big drop in T-Bill rates after the Bangko Sentral lowered reserve requirements by one percentage point last January 3, estimated to have released P6.7 billion to banks. The 182-day rate declined to 11.106 percent, while the 364-day bill also edged down to 11.405 percent. Traders say the higher liquidity in the system pulled down interest rates.
In another front, the evaluation of bids for the $7 billion MWSS privatization is still ongoing as scheduled and none of the bidders for the contract has been disqualified. The Asian Wall Street Journal reported today the bidding had run into trouble and could be delayed by several months. The newspaper said the consortium of Bechtle Corporation, United Utilities PLC and Ayala Corporation submitted a technically flawed offer and MWSS officials were debating whether to disqualify the bidder or re-start the process from scratch. Mark Dumol, DPWH chief of staff says no conclusions have been made.
The Ayala-led consortium, in a statement said they have verified their figures to be in compliance with the concession arrangement. "We are extremently distressed at the insinuation that there could be a technical flaw in the bid submitted by our consortium. We have completely verified that our figures are in total and full compliance with the concession arrangement." the decision on the technical review will be made public on January 22. Financial offers whose applications are cleared will be opened on the 23rd.
Meanwhile, Guoco Holdings has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the majority stakeholders of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, the francise holder of Pepsi Products. Guoco bought the 51.5 percent stake of PCPPI held by Macondray Holdings Corporation and Premier Beverages Philippines. Meanwhile, Multi-sectoral Task Force chairman Raul Concepcion opposes a move to fast-track the oil industry deregulation from March to February. Concepcion says this could lead to substantial price increases and a public backlash unless critical issues are addressed by the Energy Regulatory Board and the three oil companies. Among them, the P2.5 billion peso Oil Price Stabilization Fund deficit. The options are for government to pay the outstanding claims or an agreement with the oil companies on how much prices will be increased. Another issue is the resolution of the oil companies' petition for a rate of return based on the appraised value of their assets.
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RP Team Wins Archery Championships
A major upset at the Hong Kong International Archery Championships. Filipino archers swept the team event, beating the favoured Chinese. The men pulled off a close 3-point win over Chinese-Taipei, while the women completed the sweep beating a tough China-Guangdong team by a mere 2 points. The twin titles are big wins for the Philippines. China is considered Asia's superpower in archery.