Bato swears no abuse in subpoena power
Philippine National Police (PNP) officials assured Monday, March 12, that they will not abuse their subpoena powers.
PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa pointed out that only three police officials are authorized to issue a subpoena and summon anybody deemed vital to an investigation.
They are the PNP chief, the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and his deputy for administration.
“Bakit tatlo lang ang binigayan? Isa nga lang sana ang magbibigay ng subpoena, si chief PNP, but we know for a fact that at times hindi available si chief may travel sa ibang bansa or wherever at minsan kailangan ng speedy disposition of cases (Why only three? There should have been only one, the PNP chief. But we know that the PNP chief is at times not available and there are cases that require speedy disposition),” said CIDG director Roel Obusan.
Dela Rosa, for his part, vowed
that he will not use his subpoena power if the CIDG is fully functional.
“Gagamitin ko ba yan kung functional na ang CIDG? Sinabi ng batas na just in case wala ‘yung CIDG director or deputy, ako mag-issue pero kung functioning sila bakit pa ako? I don’t need to use that kung functioning na ang CIDG (The law states that I will issue the subpoena in case the CIDG director is not available. But I don’t need to use that if CIDG is functioning),” he said.
Dela Rosa said they will no longer draw up the implementing rules and regulations
for Republic Act 10973, saying that using their conscience would suffice.
“I don’t need to set he rules, there are just the three of us--me, the CIDG director and the deputy. Use your conscience. If you really need to do it when you think it’s needed, then that’ll be time to use it. You don’t need rules, just your conscience),” he said.
He said 15 days after the publication of the new law, they can already issue a subpoena if needed in the investigation being conducted by the CIDG. /