P.R. Laws tit. 3, § 99h
It is the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to encourage the dedication of its public servants and employees to public service with honesty, professional and personal excellence, as well as absolute dedication to the well-being and integral development of our People. To achieve these objectives, it is essential to strengthen the institution of a neutral and independent forum to promptly clarify any conduct attributable to government officials, and to ensure that the investigations are objective, impartial, independent, and of excellence.
To achieve the abovementioned objectives, the Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor’s Panel is created as an entity of the Executive Branch with administrative, operational, and fiscal autonomy. This Office shall be composed of one (1) Panel with three (3) official members and two (2) alternate members, who shall be selected from among former court judges or justices according to the procedure provided below, and the personnel designated by the former to carry out the tasks expressly delegated under this Act.
The Office shall have juridical personality and legal standing to sue and be sued. Furthermore, the Office shall be empowered to adopt, promulgate, amend, and repeal rules, orders, and regulations that shall govern the procedures related to the management, contracting, or hiring of the human resources thereof, as well as those related to property, technology infrastructure, budget administration, among others as are necessary and appropriate to exercise its powers and discharge its duties. This power includes the authority to devise and implement strategic plans that allow for the development of swift administrative methods or processes, as well as an adequate infrastructure with the latest and most efficient technology.
In exercising said powers, the Office may incorporate cutting-edge administrative principles that guarantee the contracting, selection, and hiring of persons who satisfy the criteria pertaining to confidentiality, personal and professional integrity, excellence, competence, and objectivity; that promote professional development; optimize resources; and guarantee the sound and prudent use of public property and funds.
History —Feb. 23, 1988, No. 2, p. 4, § 1, eff. 30 days after Feb. 23, 1988; Jan. 3, 2012, No. 4, § 1.