MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is assuring the public that the restoration of subpoena powers to the Philippine National Police (PNP) under a newly-signed law will not be abused by the police organization.
DILG Officer-in-Charge Secretary Eduardo M. Año said his department would strictly monitor the actions of the PNP in using its subpoena powers granted under Republic Act 10973 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last March 1.
“The DILG will be on the lookout for any hint of abuse that may be committed by the PNP in carrying out its restored subpoena powers and we will see to it that this will be used only for the intention that it was granted,” Año said.
The DILG Chief said the primary purpose of the new law is to allow the PNP to gather more evidence so that cases filed in court would not be dismissed.
“Many cases filed with the Prosecutor and the courts are dismissed for lack of or weak evidence. The grant of subpoena powers will strengthen the cases filed by the PNP and ensure that justice is served,” Año said.
He said other law enforcement agencies like the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) have subpoena powers.
“Why shouldn’t the PNP-CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group), the primary investigating unit of the police, have that authority as well?” Año asked.
Under RA 10973, the PNP Chief, the Director, and the Deputy Director for Administration of the PNP-CIDG can now issue a subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, or an order for someone to attend a court and bring relevant documents, in relation to their investigation of cases.
RA 10973 provides that failure to comply with a PNP subpoena could lead to an indirect contempt charge at the Regional Trial Court (RTC).
The law states that “the subpoena shall state the nature and purpose of the investigation, shall be directed to the person whose attendance is required, and in the case of a subpoena duces tecum, it shall also contain a reasonable description of the books, documents, or things demanded which must be relevant to the investigation”. (DILG/PNA)
