1558

The Commission may hold public or executive hearings as a means of receiving information, evidence, opinions or suggestions, for which officials and employees of the agencies, as well as private citizens, may be summoned.\nInformation and suggestions may also be obtained directly from the agencies; and records, books, documents, registries and any other evidence relevant to matters related to the reorganization of the Executive Branch may be examined. Agencies and private citizens shall submit the information, suggestions and evidence requested from them under warning of contempt to the duly authorized person. Oaths and statements may be taken as well.\nWhenever the witness who has been summoned fails to appear to testify or to produce the evidence required or when he refuses to answer any question, the assistance of the Court of First Instance may be requested to compel the official’s appearance or statement or the evidence required, as the case may be. The Secretary of Justice shall furnish the necessary legal assistance for such purposes.\nOnce the petition is filed with the Court of First Instance, the latter shall issue a summons directing the witness to appear and testify or

furnish the necessary legal assistance for such purposes.\nOnce the petition is filed with the Court of First Instance, the latter shall issue a summons directing the witness to appear and testify or to produce the evidence requested, or both, before the authorized person in question, and any disobedience of the order issued by the court shall be punished as for civil contempt.\nThe evidence given by any witness that is summoned shall not be used against him in any criminal, civil or administrative proceeding.\nHistory —May 30, 1976, No. 71, p. 211, § 8; Mar. 10, 1977, No. 4, p. 7, § 5.