MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – There was too much hype about the Philippines’ National ID. It was meant to facilitate public and private transactions that required official verification of one’s legal status.

But the law and its implementation were a total failure, starting with the almost two-year delay in the delivery of the plastic document.

Even President Bongbong Marcos is not impressed. He said the ID is a essentially a picture of an ID with no data that backs it up.

So what gives?

Gather all your identification documents when dealing with government offices or public entities like banks. Have your passport, Tax # ID, GSIS or SSS membership card, PhilHealth and Pag-ibig IDs, PhilPost ID, Barangay ID, Cedula, Senior Citizen/PWD/Student ID and all the nine yards.

It’s the reality. If you’re Filipino or live in the Philippines.