To prevent harassment due to the use of fake addresses in subpoenas, Senator Robin Padilla has filed a bill imposing heavy penalties on such acts.
Padilla filed Senate Bill 2890, proposing a jail term of up to two years and a fine of up to P300,000 on any person who deliberately provides a false address in the issuance of a subpoena.
“While a preliminary investigation is not properly a trial but merely precursory thereto, it already subjects an accused to an open and public accusation of a crime, with the trouble, expense, anxiety, and moral suffering which a criminal prosecution and risk of incarceration always entails,” the legislator said in his bill.
“In order to protect the state from the possibility of initiating a misguided prosecution that may result in a waste of valuable time, effort, and resources, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.”
“In order to reinforce the protection of the right of an accused against malicious and oppressive prosecution, and to protect the state from the possibility of initiating a misguided prosecution that may result to a waste of valuable time, effort, and resources, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought,” the lawmaker added.
Under the bill, any person who deliberately provides a false address in the issuance of a subpoena faces imprisonment from six months to two years; and a fine of P100,000 to P300,000.
