In G.R. No. 167798, SC says compulsory, reasonable ID systems by gov't NOT violative of right to privacy

On its face, EO 420 shows no constitutional infirmity because it even narrowly limits the data that can be collected, recorded and shown compared to the existing ID systems of government entities. EO 420 further provides strict safeguards to protect the confidentiality of the data collected, in contrast to the prior ID systems which are bereft of strict administrative safeguards.

The right to privacy does not bar the adoption of reasonable ID systems by government entities. Some one hundred countries have compulsory national ID systems, including democracies such as Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg, and Portugal. Other countries which do not have national ID systems, like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the Nordic Countries and Sweden, have sectoral cards for health, social or other public services. Even with EO 420, the Philippines will still fall under the countries that do not have compulsory national ID systems but allow only sectoral cards for social security, health services, and other specific purposes.
Without a reliable ID system, government entities like GSIS, SSS, Philhealth, and LTO cannot perform effectively and efficiently their mandated functions under existing laws. Without a reliable ID system, GSIS, SSS, Philhealth and similar government entities stand to suffer substantial losses arising from false names and identities. The integrity of the LTO’s licensing system will suffer in the absence of a reliable ID system. (G.R. No. 167798; April 19, 2006; https://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/apr2006/gr_167798_2006.html)
PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.ikot.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Aquino.jpg
Below is an excerpt from an article by The Philippine Star regarding the current administration's plan to impose a national ID system in the Philippines.

After three decades of languishing in the legislative mill, the national ID system bill is expected to be ratified by Congress today, the final step before it is transmitted to President Duterte for his signature.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, principal author and sponsor of the bill, said the measure is something that he has been pushing for since he first became senator in 2001.

First proposed during the administration of former president Fidel Ramos, the national ID bill has failed to take off due to lack of support in Congress and a general fear of the system because of privacy issues. NEWS SOURCE: Congress to ratify national ID bill today; Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) - May 28, 2018 - 12:00am; Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/28/1819296/congress-ratify-national-id-bill-today#fWKr8QTz1EKJtEGW.99