Senate gives subcommittees contempt powers

The Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution allowing subcommittees to "cite and punish witnesses in contempt."

Filed by Senator JV Ejercito, Senate Resolution 1264 seeks to amend Section 20 of the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation.

Section 20 states that “the Chairman of a Committee may create subcommittees as may be deemed necessary for the purpose of performing any and all acts which the Committee as a whole is authorized to do and perform [except the power to punish for contempt under Section 18 hereof]."

By deleting the sentence in the bracket, both the committee chair and the subcommittees will have the power to cite and punish witnesses in contempt. —Mariel Celine Serquiña