House approves CIDG’s subpoena powers on final reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a measure that aims to restore to the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG) the authority to issue subpoenas.

With a vote of 193 in the affirmative, seven in the negative and zero abstentions, the chamber approved House Bill 4863 which seeks to allow the PNP-CIDG to once again issue Subpoena Ad Testificandum or Subpoena Decus Tecum, amending RA 6975 otherwise known as "The Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990."

The objective of the bill is to reinforce the PNP-CIDG in its gathering documents and securing witnesses in conducting investigations.

Under the measure, Section 35(b)(4) of RA 6975 is sought to be amended, which provides for the function of the CIDG to "undertake the monitoring, investigation and prosecution of all crimes involving economic sabotage, and other crimes of such magnitude and extent indicated by the planning and commission of the same by highly placed or professional criminal syndicates and organizations."

At the same time, the CIDG is also tasked to investigate all cases which involve violations of the Revised Penal Code and run after organized crime groups.

The CIDG's director and deputy directors, meanwhile, will have the power to administer oath upon cases under investigation and issue Subpoena Ad Testificandum or Subpoena Duces Tecum "provided, that the attendance or submission of evidence of an absent or recalcitrant witness may be enforced by application to any trial court."

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate, one of the seven House members who voted against the bill, said that the enactment of bill will only grant additional powers to the PNP-CIDG which may be abused.

This, given the current human rights situation in the country where thousands have been killed in line with the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs.

Other House members who voted against bill include ACT Teachers party-list Representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Women's Party Representatives Emmi De Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis party-list Representative Ariel Casilao and Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago, all members of the Makabayan bloc. —NB, GMA News