A House leader yesterday exposed the alleged sale of persons with disability (PWD) ID by fixers to individuals who are not disabled thereby defrauding the government of billions worth of taxes.

At a press conference on Tuesday, ACT-CIS Partylst Rep. Eric Yap said he discovered the scam after he asked 15 of his employees, who do not have disability to get a PWD ID.

“I asked 15 people to get these IDs and use them. They were able to buy them,” Yap said. “The problem here is that sale of these items are now widespread.”

Many are lured into availing the ID which is sold for P3,000, Yap said, as they will get 20 percent discount on their every purchase, including air fares, he added.

In relation to this, Yap has filed a resolution urging the House to probe the implementation of Republic Act 10754 or the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability and on the process of the issuance of the identification card for the PWD.

“Due to the decentralized issuance of the PWD IDs, there is a possibility of abuse by some unethical and imprudent individuals like those who have listed illegitimate beneficiaries.”

“There have been reports on individuals who fake their disability to get a PWD ID in order to enjoy PWD discounts and privileges and on fixers giving guarantee of the issuance of PWD IDs to those interested,” the resolution read.

Yap said he wants RA 10754 amended to include penal provisions to punish those who will abuse the law.

According to Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor, the government might be losing billions due to the scheme.

“We may be losing billions here because if all local government (units) will issue 1,000 IDs na PWD, 20 percent discount, can you imagine the taxes that are not collected because of this fraud?” he said.

Defensor urged local government units to purge erring officials.

He said those who availed the ID could be held criminally liable under the Revised Penal Code for forging documents.

Yap, for his part urged mayors not to halt the issuance of PWD ID as this could affect those that really have disability.

He also urged those who have fake PWD ID to surrender their IDs before they are ordered arrested.