P.R. Laws tit. 8, § 253
For the purposes of attaining the [aims] of this chapter, the Commission shall have the following powers:
(a) To use available resources within the public agencies and instrumentalities, such as use of information, offices, personnel, equipment, material and other facilities, and said agencies and instrumentalities are hereby authorized to place such resources at the disposal of the Commission.
(b) To carry out any investigation in any place to fulfill the purposes of this chapter, and it may, likewise, visit and inspect public and private institutions engaged in providing social services and in subscribing, selling or administering retirement or insurance plans.
(c) To hold public or executive hearings when deemed necessary. No evidence or testimony offered in an executive hearing before the Commission shall be made public without the consent of the Commission expressed by a resolution to that effect.
(d) To receive and administer funds from legislative appropriations. It may likewise receive and administer funds from the federal government appropriations or gifts of any kind and origin. It is further authorized to receive and use funds transferred to it from departments, agencies or instrumentalities of the Commonwealth.
(e) To require the appearance under subpoena, of witnesses and the production of books, documents, records or other evidence related to matters under its consideration. Likewise, the Commission and any of its members may administer oaths and take testimonies.
When a witness summoned by the Commission fails to appear to testify or produce evidence required of him, or when he refuses to answer any question, the Chairman may request the assistance of the Court of First Instance to compel the attendance or testimony of the witness or the production of evidence required, as the case may be. The Secretary of Justice shall furnish to the Commission the necessary legal assistance for such purposes.
After the petition is filed with the Court of First Instance, the latter shall summon the witness to appear and depose, or to produce the evidence requested, or both, before the Commission, and any disobedience of the order issued by the court shall be [held in] civil contempt.
The evidence requested and produced by any witness summoned by the Commission may not be used against him/her in any criminal, civil or administrative proceeding.
History —July 23, 1974, No. 221, Part 2, p. 154, § 3, retroactive to July 1, 1974.