Senator Robinhood Padilla is proposing  “heavy penalties” against those individuals who deliberately provide false addresses and fake information in the issuance of subpoenas. 

In filing Senate Bill (SB) 2890 on Thursday, Padilla stressed the need to prevent harassment amid the issuance of subpoenas to the wrong individuals.

While a preliminary investigation is not properly a trial but merely precursory thereto, Padilla lamented it already subjects an accused to an open and public accusation of a crime.

Such incidents cause “trouble, expense, anxiety, and moral suffering which a criminal prosecution and risk of incarceration always entails.”

“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 in a waste of valuable time, effort, and resources, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought,” Padilla said. 

Under SB 2890, 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.