P.R. Laws tit. 3, § 341m
(a) The Department is hereby empowered to carry out all kinds of studies and investigations on matters affecting the consumer, and to such purposes, the Secretary may require the information which might be necessary, pertinent and essential to achieve such purposes, and to approve those necessary and reasonable rules and regulations. The Secretary may issue subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses and the presentation of data or information to carry out the purposes of this chapter. He may, also, through himself or by means of his agent duly authorized administer oaths and receive testimonies, data or information.
(b) If a subpoena issued by the Secretary is not duly complied with, the Secretary may appear before the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico and request the compliance of the subpoena. The Court of First Instance shall give preference to the course and dispatch of said request and may issue orders compelling the appearance of witnesses or the presentation of data or information previously required by the Secretary. The Court of First Instance is empowered to punish for contempt disobedience to the orders.
(c) No person shall refuse to comply with a subpoena of the Secretary or of his representative or to produce the required evidence or refuse to answer any question in connection with any study or investigation, or because the evidence required may incriminate him or subject him to criminal prosecution or that may cause his dismissal or removal from his employment, profession or occupation; but the testimony or evidence produced by said person on the requirements of the Secretary or his representative or by virtue of a judicial order, may not be used or presented as evidence against him in any criminal prosecution or in civil or administrative action that may cause his dismissal or removal from his employment profession or occupation.
(d) All information obtained as a result of the investigations made by the Department shall be of a public character, except, that which incriminates the deponent and that which constitutes a secret of production or is protected by the federal legislation on patents.
History —Apr. 23, 1973, No. 5, p. 15, § 14.