Opinion ID: 199884
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Creation and Structure of the Blue Ribbon Commission

Text: 3 Appellant Sila María Calderón was elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in November 2000. Shortly after taking office in January 2001, she promulgated Executive Order No. 2001-06 (Order). The Order states that there is a pressing need to make proper and efficient use of public resources and to complete the total erradication [sic] of government corruption. To further that effort, the Order creates the Independent Citizens' Commission to Evaluate Government Transactions ... for the purpose of evaluating significant government transactions. 4 The Order gives the Blue Ribbon Commission the power to evaluate transactions accomplished by the executive branch of the Puerto Rican government. These transactions may have been completed by either the current or previous administrations and must have the potential of substantially impacting on areas such as the government's structure, the public treasury, the country's economy and infrastructure, or the citizenry's trust in government institutions. To further these evaluations, the Order gives the Commission the authority to request information from natural and artificial persons, to require the assistance of the executive branch, and to issue reports to the Governor, including both the findings of any investigation and any recommendations. These recommendations may include the adoption of new statutory or regulatory rules, the modification of existing rules, and further proceedings, either administrative, civil, or criminal, against certain persons. The Order also provides that the Commission shall operate with strict confidentiality. Only the Governor has the power to publicize the findings, recommendations, or evidence collected by the Commission. 5 The Governor also has the exclusive power to name Commission members. She originally appointed appellants David Noriega-Rodríguez, Ileana Colón-Carlo, Carmen Rita Vélez-Borrás, Pedro Galarza, and Pedro López-Oliver. Noriega-Rodríguez was made Chairperson. Galarza and López-Oliver have both resigned from the Commission, and appellant Angel Hermida replaced López-Oliver. 1 6 The Commission has the power to adopt internal operating rules. Pursuant to that power, the Commission promulgated both Operating By-Laws (By-Laws) and Guidelines for Investigation and Drafting of Reports (Guidelines). Only the By-Laws were made public by the Commission. The unpublished Guidelines, however, provide most of the substantive procedures that the Commission and its staff follow in conducting their investigations. 2 These procedures include the ability of the Commission to request officers of the executive branch to secure the appearance and testimony of reluctant witnesses, using appropriate legal mechanisms. During interviews, the Commissioners or their staff may record testimony in a variety of ways, including handwritten notes. Witnesses are not allowed to take notes, record their testimony, or obtain copies of their statements. This is ostensibly to protect the confidentiality of the Commission's investigations. Those witnesses who are not considered suspects are not allowed to have an attorney present. However, those witnesses who are suspected of violating laws or regulations of a penal nature are to be advised of their constitutional rights, including their right against forced self-incrimination. The Guidelines also require Commissioners to report any evidence that creates more than a mere suspicion of criminal activity. The Commission, once it has verified such evidence, may refer the matter to the Puerto Rican Department of Justice. 7 It is also important to note what powers the Blue Ribbon Commission does not have. It does not have the power to independently initiate or file any civil, criminal, or administrative charges. It can only recommend that other agencies do so. Most importantly, the Commission cannot adjudicate criminal liability or make probable cause determinations. 8