P.R. Laws tit. 13, § 391b
In order to obtain the purposes of this chapter, the Commission shall have the following powers:
(1) To use the available resources in the agencies and public instrumentalities, such as the use of information, offices, personnel, equipment, material and other facilities, such agencies and instrumentalities being hereby authorized to place said resources at the disposal of the Commission.
(2) To carry out investigations in Puerto Rico for the purpose of this chapter.
(3) To hold public or private hearings, when deemed necessary. No publicity, or evidence or testimony given in a private hearing before the Commission shall be made public without its consent.
(4) To require the appearance of witnesses and the presentation of books, documents, registries or other evidence in connection with the matters under its consideration, under subpoena. Likewise, the Commission and any of its members may administer oaths and take sworn declarations.
When a witness summoned by the Commission fails to appear or testify or does not present the required evidence, or when he refuses to answer any question, the Chairman may petition the assistance of the Court of First Instance to require the assistance or declaration of the witness or the required production, as the case may be. The Secretary of Justice shall offer the Commission the necessary legal assistance for such purposes.
Once the petition has been filed before the Court of First Instance, the latter shall summon the witness to appear and testify, or to produce the required evidence, or both things, before the Commission, and any disobedience to the summons of the court shall be punished as civil contempt.
The evidence offered by any witness summoned by the Commission shall not be used against such person in any criminal, civil or administrative proceedings.
(5) To receive and administer funds derived from legislative appropriations and from transfer from other agencies and public instrumentalities.
History —Jan. 30, 1973, J.R. No. 2, p. 538, § 3.