Section 54REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6038, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES., Sec./Art. 54

Subpoenas; Contempt.

(a) The NEA may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, for witness in any matter of inquiry pending before it, and require the production of all books, papers, tariffs, contracts, agreements, and all other documents which it may deem necessary in any proceeding. Such process shall be issued under the seal of the NEA, signed by one of the members of the NEA Board of Administrators, and may be served by any person of full age, or by registered mail.

In case of disobedience to such subpoena, the NEA may invoke the aid of the Supreme Court, or of any Court of First Instance of the Philippines in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers and documents under the provision of this Chapter, and the Supreme Court, or any Court of First Instance of the Philippines within the jurisdiction of which such inquiry is carried on, may, in case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena, issue to any public service entity subject to the provisions of this Decree, or to any person, an order requiring such public service entity or person to appear before the NEA and produce books and papers if so ordered and give evidence touching the matter in question; and any failure to obey such order of the Court may be punished by such court as contempt thereof.

(b) Any person who shall neglect or refuse to answer any lawful inquiry or produce before the NEA books, papers, tariffs, contracts, agreements, and documents, or other things called for by the NEA if his power to do so, in obedience to the subpoena or lawful inquiry of the NEA, upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both in the discretion of the court;

(c) Any NEA Board Member shall have the power to administer oaths in all matters under the jurisdiction of the NEA;

(d) Any person who shall testify falsely or make any false affidavit or oath before the NEA or before any of its members shall be guilty of perjury, and, upon conviction thereof in a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished as provided by law;

(e) Witnesses appearing before the NEA in obedience to subpoena or subpoena duces tecum shall be entitled to receive the same fees and mileage allowance as witnesses attending Courts of First Instance in civil cases;

(f) Any person who shall obstruct the NEA or any member of the NEA Board while engaged in the discharge of official duties, or who shall conduct himself in a rude, disrespectful or disorderly manner before the NEA or any NEA Board Member while engaged in the discharge of official duties, or shall orally or in writing be disrespectful to, offend or insult any of the NEA board members on occasion or by reason of the performance of official duties, upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished for each offense by a fine not exceeding one thousand pesos (P1,000), or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, in the discretion of the court.