New law grants PNP chief, CIDG power to issue subpoenas

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have now the power to issue subpoenas under Republic Act (RA) No. 10973, which President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into law on March 1.

RA No. 10973 grants the chief of the PNP and the director and deputy director of the CIDG the authority to administer oath and to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum.

The said Act amends RA No. 6975 or the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.

The new law says the issuance of subpoenas shall be “in relation to” an investigation being conducted by the PNP and the CIDG.

It adds: “[S]uch powers shall be exercised solely by the aforementioned officials and may not be further delegated to any other person or office.”

The new law is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1239 and House Bill No. 4863. — Arjay L. Balinbin