DOJ sounds alarm over 6 million ‘unaccounted’ PWD IDs

MANILA (UPDATED) – The Department of Justice on Thursday sounded the alarm over the proliferation of fake PWD IDs, with Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan saying there are around six million IDs that are “unaccounted for”, with just 2.8 million PWDs officially registered.

He said the use of the “unaccounted for” cards threatens business owners and the government with  “serious economic loss”.

Chan made the announcement at a DOJ press conference and cited a request from the National Council on Disability Affairs “regarding the proliferation and use of fake PWD IDs.”

DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida appealed to the public not to use fake PWD IDs, saying there would be no fakes if there is no market for them.

“Sinasabi niyo ‘pag nakita niyo sa social media, fake ang kilay niyan, fake ang ano. Bina-bash niyo… (When you something fake, you call it out and bash it on social media) Let’s walk the talk… Let’s do it well– being Filipinos,” Vida said. 

The agency has taken a “key interest” in the issue, and so they will release an opinion regarding this.

The opinion is meant to “correct” behavior over use of fake PWD IDs and to convey to business owners what actions they can take, Chan said.

Chan also urged business owners to take a more proactive stance towards addressing the issue. 

According to Chan, businesses such as restaurants may file a case of estafa against customers who use fake PWD IDs, including filing falsification or estafa cases.

“I think this might empower them more to take a more proactive stance, ‘di ba?” Chan added.