APRIL 10, 2013

NR # 3069

Solon backs cedula abolition, proposes replacement by the National I.D.

A House member today backed the abolition of the cedula or community tax certificate and proposed its replacement by the National Identification Card. Rep. Simeon Datumanong (2nd District, Maguindanao) said it is time to scrap the cedula, which according to him, is a stigma of colonization. The cedula is a stigma of colonization, and I agree that it should be abolished, said Datumanong. The former justice secretary and House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao proposed that any replacement to the CTC should be through a National I.D. In the present 15th Congress, the House of Representatives approved on second reading last February 5, 2013 House Bill 6895, principally authored by Rep. Al Francis Bicharra (2nd District, Albay), seeking to establish and institute the Filipino Identification System as an economic and social tool towards the attainment of a progressive society through efficient services for all Filipinos. It shall curb the perennial problem of red tape in the government bureaucracy and simplify the processes relative to public and private services. The measure provides that every Filipino, whether residing here or abroad, is mandated to have a non-transferrable Filipino I.D. Card that shall be valid for at least 10 years and subject to renewal thereafter. The application and issuance of the Filipino I.D. shall be initially free of charge as part of the government social service responsibility, and its succeeding issuances shall be charged to the cardholder. The Filipino I.D. shall be presented and honored in transactions requiring the identity, status, birth and all other personal circumstances of an individual, based on the bill. The Filipino I.D. shall motu proprio be rendered invalid and ineffective upon taking of the oath of allegiance of any Filipino to any other country exclusive of Filipinos with dual citizenship according to the measure. The community tax was first introduced to Filipinos by Spanish colonizers in the 19th century. The residence tax, and in turn, the cdula, were abolished with the coming of American rule. No such tax would be imposed again until January 1, 1940, when Commonwealth Act No. 465 went into effect. When the Local Government Code was ratified in 1991, cities and municipalities were authorized to collect community tax from corporations, and from residents aged 18 and above who have been employed on a wage basis. (30) rbb