Nearly six million people using fake PWD IDs

MANILA – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida on Thursday described reports that roughly 6 million people are using fake persons with disability (PWD) identification cards as “very alarming.”

Vida made this comment after the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) shared data showing that approximately 8.5 million people are using PWD IDs, compared to only 2.8 million registered PWDs in the country.

DOJ Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan warned that individuals proven to be using fake PWD IDs can be charged with falsification of public documents and estafa through falsification.

He said public officers involved in issuing these IDs and doctors who issued fake medical certificates may also be held liable.

Chan clarified that businesses cannot require customers to have their PWD IDs verified before giving them benefits.

They can, however, have the ID validated afterward if there is any doubt about its authenticity, he added.

Vida said the rollout of a verifiable PWD ID system is already underway, but it may take two to three years to fully implement. (PNA Benjamin Pulta)