MALLIN - CALANTIAO

8/18/2019 MALLIN - CALANTIAO

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On t4e stren0t4 o ) )rr)nt; o se)r4 )n* sei=%re iss%e* 86 t4e R'& o !orso0on&it6, "r)n4 52, )

te) o i$e -o/ie oiers r)i*e* t4e resi*ene o -etitioner in ")r)n0)6 '%0os, !orso0on &it6 on <

+e8r%)r6 23. '4e te) )s 4e)*e* 86 PCIns-.&)t)/ino "o/)nos >"o/)nos?, it4 PO3 Ro8erto Esternon

>Esternon?, !PO1 Pe*ro@oot, !PO1 @)ni/o L)s)/) )n* !PO2 Roeo G)//iner) >G)//iner)? )s

e8ers. '4e se)r4on*%te* in t4e -resene o barangay kagawad

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@e/in Li%- )s e// )s -etitioner 4ise/, 4is ie !4ei/) )n* 4is ot4er, Nor))//e0e*/6 6ie/*e* to >2?

-/)sti s)4ets o shabu )n* i$e >5? e-t6 -/)sti s)4ets ont)inin0 resi*%)/ orse/s o t4e s)i*

s%8st)ne.

Aor*in0/6, -etitioner )s 4)r0e* it4 $io/)tion o !etion 11,7; Arti/e II o Re-%8/i At No.

915, ot4erise Bnon )s '4e &o-re4ensi$e @)n0ero%s @r%0s At o 22, in ) riin)/ inor)tion

4ose in%/-)tor6 -ortion re)*s:

'4)t on or )8o%t t4e


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e-/)inin0 its -ro0ress to -etitioners ot4er, Nor), 8%t t4)t )t t4e s)e tie 4is e6es ere ie* on t4e

se)r4 8ein0 on*%te* 86 Esternon.11;

Esternon testiie* t4)t t4e *eni 8)0 ont)inin0 t4e e-t6 -/)sti s)4ets )s o%n* 8e4in* t4e

*oor o t4e 8e*roo )n* not insi*e t4e )8inet t4)t 4e t4en o%n* t4e to i//e* s)4ets %n*er ) -i//o on

t4e 8e* )n* ort4it4 )//e* on G)//iner) to 4)$e t4e ites reor*e* )n* )rBe*.12; On ross, 4e )*itte*

t4)t it )s 4e )/one 4o on*%te* t4e se)r4 8e)%se "o/)nos )s st)n*in0 8e4in* 4i in t4e /i$in0

roo -ortion o t4e 4o%se )n* t4)t -etitioner 4)n*e* to 4i t4e t4in0s to 8e se)r4e*, 4i4 in/%*e* t4e

-i//o in 4i4 t4e to s)4ets o shabu ere Be-t13; t4)t 4e 8ro%04t t4e sei=e* ites to

t4e ")/o0o Po/ie !t)tion or ) tr%e in$entor6, t4en to t4e tri)/ o%rt 1Arro6o?, t4e orensi 4eist 4o )*inistere* t4e e)in)tion on t4e

sei=e* ites, )s -resente* )s )n e-ert itness to i*enti6 t4e ites s%8itte* to t4e /)8or)tor6. !4e

re$e)/e* t4)t t4e to i//e* s)4ets ere -ositi$e o shabu )n* t4)t o t4e i$e e-t6 s)4ets, o%r ere

-ositi$e o ont)inin0 resi*%e o t4e s)e s%8st)ne.1; !4e %rt4er )*itte* t4)t )// se$en s)4ets ere

*e/i$ere* to t4e /)8or)tor6 86 Esternon in t4e )ternoon o t4e s)e *)6 t4)t t4e )rr)nt )s ee%te*

ee-t t4)t it )s not s4e 8%t r)t4er ) ert)in Mrs. Oe/i) G)ri) 4o reei$e* t4e ites ro Esternon )t

t4e /)8or)tor6.17;

'4e e$i*ene or t4e *eense o%se* on t4e irre0%/)rit6 o t4e se)r4 )n* sei=%re on*%te* 86

t4e -o/ie o-er)ti$es. Petitioner testiie* t4)t Esternon 8e0)n t4e se)r4 o t4e 8e*roo it4 Li%- )n*

-etitioner 4ise/ insi*e. oe$er, it )s oent)ri/6 interr%-te* 4en one o t4e -o/ie oiers

*e/)re* to "o/)nos t4)t -etitioners ie, !4ei/), )s t%Bin0 soet4in0 insi*e 4er %n*ere)r. +ort4it4,

) /)*6 oier )rri$e* to on*%t t4e se)r4 o !4ei/)s 8o*6 insi*e t4e s)e 8e*roo. At t4)t -oint,

e$er6one ee-t Esternon )s )sBe* to ste- o%t o t4e roo. !o, it )s in 4is -resene t4)t !4ei/) )s

se)r4e* 86 t4e /)*6 oier. Petitioner )s t4en )sBe* 86 ) -o/ie oier to 8%6

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/april2008/172953.htm#_ftn17


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se)r4 o 4is 4o%se )s on*%te*. +or its -)rt, t4e Oie o t4e !o/iitor Gener)/ >O!G? )*$)ne* t4)t

on t4e ontr)r6, t4e -rose%tion e$i*ene s%ie* or -etitioners on$ition )n* t4)t t4e *eense ne$er

)*$)ne* )n6 -roo to s4o t4)t t4e e8ers o t4e r)i*in0 te) )s i-ro-er/6 oti$)te* to 4%r/ )/se

4)r0es )0)inst 4i )n* 4ene t4e -res%-tion t4)t t4e6 4)* re0%/)r/6 -erore* t4eir *%ties s4o%/*

-re$)i/.27;

On 27 J)n%)r6 2, t4e &o%rt o A--e)/s ren*ere* t4e )ss)i/e* *eision )irin0 t4e %*0ent

o t4e tri)/ o%rt 8%t o*i6in0 t4e -rison sentene to )n in*eterin)te ter o te/$e >12? 6e)rs )s

ini% to se$enteen >17? 6e)rs )s )i%. 2; Petitioner o$e* or reonsi*er)tion 8%t t4e s)e )s

*enie* 86 t4e )--e//)te o%rt.29; ene, t4e inst)nt -etition 4i4 r)ises s%8st)nti)//6 t4e s)e iss%es.

In its &oent,3; t4e O!G 8i*s to est)8/is4 t4)t t4e r)i*in0 te) 4)* re0%/)r/6 -erore* its

*%ties in t4e on*%t o t4e se)r4. 31; It -oints to -etitioners inre*%/o%s /)i t4)t 4e )s r)e* %- 86

Esternon on t4e 0ro%n* t4)t t4e *iso$er6 o t4e to i//e* s)4ets )s )*e in 4is

)n* Li%-s -resene. It /iBeise notes t4)t -etitioners 8)re *eni)/ )nnot *ee)t t4e -ositi$e )ssertions o

t4e -rose%tion )n* t4)t t4e s)e *oes not s%ie to o$eroe t4e prima facie eistene

o animus possidendi.

'4is )r0%ent, 4oe$er, 4)r*/6 4o/*s %- to 4)t is re$e)/e* 86 t4e reor*s.

Pre)tori/6, )/t4o%04 t4e tri)/ o%rts in*in0s o )t )re entit/e* to 0re)t ei04t )n* i// not 8e

*ist%r8e* on )--e)/, t4is r%/e *oes not )--/6 4ere )ts o ei04t )n* s%8st)ne 4)$e 8een o$er/ooBe*,

is)--re4en*e* or is)--/ie* in ) )se %n*er )--e)/. 32; In t4e )se )t 8)r, se$er)/ ir%st)nes o8t)in

4i4, i -ro-er/6 )--rei)te*, o%/* )rr)nt ) on/%sion *ierent ro t4)t )rri$e* )t 86 t4e tri)/ o%rt

)n* t4e &o%rt o A--e)/s.

Prose%tions or i//e0)/ -ossession o -ro4i8ite* *r%0s neessit)tes t4)t t4e e/eent)/ )t o

-ossession o ) -ro4i8ite* s%8st)ne 8e est)8/is4e* it4 or)/ ert)int6, to0et4er it4 t4e )t t4)t t4e

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s)e is not )%t4ori=e* 86 /). '4e *)n0ero%s *r%0 itse/ onstit%tes t4e $er6 corpus delicti o t4e oense

)n* t4e )t o its eistene is $it)/ to ) %*0ent o on$ition.33; Essenti)/ t4ereore in t4ese )ses is t4)t

t4e i*entit6 o t4e -ro4i8ite* *r%0 8e est)8/is4e* 8e6on* *o%8t. 3


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In*ee*, t4e /iBe/i4oo* o t)-erin0, /oss or ist)Be it4 res-et to )n e4i8it is 0re)test 4en t4e

e4i8it is s)// )n* is one t4)t 4)s -46si)/ 4)r)teristis %n0i8/e in n)t%re )n* sii/)r in or to

s%8st)nes )i/i)r to -eo-/e in t4eir *)i/6 /i$es.


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4i4 t4e6 4)n*/e* t4e s%8et ites. An6 re)son)8/e in* i04t t4en )sB t4e F%estion: Are t4e s)4ets

o shabu )//e0e*/6 sei=e* ro -etitioner t4e $er6 s)e o8ets /)8or)tor6 teste* )n* oere* in o%rt )s

e$i*eneH

'4e -rose%tions e$i*ene is ino-/ete to -ro$i*e )n )ir)ti$e )nser. &onsi*erin0 t4)t it

)s G)//iner) 4o reor*e* )n* )rBe* t4e sei=e* ites, 4is testion6 in o%rt is r%i)/ to )ir

4et4er t4e e4i8its ere t4e s)e ites 4)n*e* o$er to 4i 86 Esternon )t t4e -/)e o sei=%re )n*

)Bno/e*0e t4e initi)/s )rBe* t4ereon )s 4is on. '4e s)e is tr%e o G)ri) 4o o%/* 4)$e, 8%t

ne$ert4e/ess )i/e*, to testi6 on t4e ir%st)nes %n*er 4i4 s4e reei$e* t4e ites ro Esternon,

4)t s4e *i* it4 t4e *%rin0 t4e tie t4e6 ere in 4er -ossession %nti/ 8eore s4e *e/i$ere* t4e s)e to

Arro6o or )n)/6sis.

'4e -rose%tion )s t4%s %ns%ess%/ in *is4)r0in0 its 8%r*en o est)8/is4in0 t4e i*entit6 o t4e

sei=e* ites 8e)%se it )i/e* to oer not on/6 t4e testion6 oG)//iner) )n* G)ri) 8%t )/so )n6

s%iient e-/)n)tion or s%4 )i/%re. In eet, t4ere is no re)son)8/e 0%)r)nt6 )s to t4e inte0rit6 o t4e

e4i8its in)s%4 )s it )i/e* to r%/e o%t t4e -ossi8i/it6 o s%8stit%tion o t4e e4i8its, 4i4 )nnot 8%t

in%re to its on *etrient. '4is 4o/*s tr%e not on/6 it4 res-et to t4e to i//e* s)4ets 8%t )/so to t4e

i$e s)4ets )//e0e*/6 ont)inin0 orse/s o shabu.

A/so, ontr)r6 to 4)t 4)s 8een onsistent/6 /)ie* 86 t4e -rose%tion t4)t t4e se)r4 )n*

sei=%re )s on*%te* in ) re0%/)r )nner )n* %st 8e -res%e* to 8e so, t4e reor*s *is/ose ) series o

irre0%/)rities oitte* 86 t4e -o/ie oiers ro t4eoeneent o t4e se)r4 o -etitioners 4o%se

%nti/ t4e s%8ission o t4e sei=e* ites to t4e /)8or)tor6 or )n)/6sis. '4e &o%rt t)Bes note o

t4e %nre8%tte* testion6 o -etitioner, orro8or)te* 86 t4)t o 4is ie, t4)t -rior to t4e *iso$er6 o t4e

to i//e* s)4ets -etitioner )s sent o%t o 4is 4o%se to 8%6 i0)rettes )t ) ne)r86 store. EF%)//6 te//in0 is

t4e testion6 o "o/)nos t4)t 4e -oste* soe o t4e e8ers o t4e r)i*in0 te) )t t4e *oor o

-etitioners 4o%se in or*er to orest)// t4e /iBe/i4oo* o -etitioner /eein0 t4e sene. "6 no stret4 o /o0i

)n it 8e on/%si$e/6 e-/)ine* 46 -etitioner )s sent o%t o 4is 4o%se on )n err)n* 4en in t4e irst


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-/)e t4e -o/ie oiers ere in )t )--re4ensi$e t4)t 4e o%/* /ee to e$)*e )rrest. '4is )t )ss%es

-rie i-ort)ne 8e)%se t4e to i//e* s)4ets ere )//e0e*/6 *iso$ere* 86 Esternon ie*i)te/6 )ter

-etitioner ret%rne* to 4is 4o%se ro t4e err)n*, s%4 t4)t 4e )s not )8/e to itness t4e on*%t o t4e

se)r4 *%rin0 t4e 8rie 8%t r%i)/ inter/%*e t4)t 4e )s ))6.

It is )/so str)n0e t4)t, )s /)ie* 86 Esternon, it )s -etitioner 4ise/ 4o 4)n*e* to 4i t4e

ites to 8e se)r4e* in/%*in0 t4e -i//o ro 4i4 t4e to i//e* s)4ets )//e0e*/6 e//. In*ee*, it is

ontr)r6 to or*in)r6 4%)n 8e4)$ior t4)t -etitioner o%/* 4)n* o$er t4e s)i* -i//o to Esternon Bnoin0

%//6 e// t4)t i//e0)/ *r%0s )re one)/e* t4erein. In t4e s)e 8re)t4, t4e )nner 86 4i4 t4e se)r4 o

!4ei/)s 8o*6 )s 8ro%04t %- 86 ) e8er o t4e r)i*in0 te) )/so r)ises serio%s *o%8ts )s to t4e

neessit6 t4ereo. '4e *e/)r)tion o one o t4e -o/ie oiers t4)t 4e s) !4ei/) t%B soet4in0 in 4er

%n*ere)r ert)in/6 *i$erte* t4e )ttention o t4e e8ers o -etitioners 4o%se4o/* ))6 ro t4e se)r4

8ein0 on*%te* 86 Esternon -rior to t4e *iso$er6 o t4e to i//e* s)4ets. Lest it 8e oitte*, t4e &o%rt

/iBeise t)Bes note oEsternons s%s-iio%s -resene in t4e 8e*roo 4i/e !4ei/) )s 8ein0 se)r4e* 86 )

/)*6 oier. '4e on/%ene o t4ese ir%st)nes 86 )n6 o8eti$e st)n*)r* o 8e4)$ior ontr)*its t4e

-rose%tions /)i o re0%/)rit6 in t4e eerise o *%t6.

Moreo$er, !etion 21


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e%se non#o-/i)ne t4ereit4, t4e s)e )nnot 8eneit t4e -rose%tion )s it )i/e* to oer )n6

)e-t)8/e %stii)tion or Esternonso%rse o )tion.

LiBeise, Esternons )i/%re to *e/i$er t4e sei=e* ites to t4e o%rt *eonstr)tes ) *e-)rt%re ro

t4e *ireti$e in t4e se)r4 )rr)nt t4)t t4e ites sei=e* 8e ie*i)te/6 *e/i$ere* to t4e tri)/ o%rt it4 )

tr%e )n* $eriie* in$entor6 o t4e s)e,


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8e t4e re-%t)tion o t4e )%se*, or t4e /) -res%es 4is innoene %n/ess )n* %nti/ t4e ontr)r6 is

s4on.5


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&ON&I'A &ARPIO MORALE! PRE!"I'ERO J. (ELA!&O, JR.

!ssociate Justice !ssociate Justice

AR'URO @. "RION

!ssociate Justice

ATTESTATION

I )ttest t4)t t4e on/%sions in t4e )8o$e @eision 4)* 8een re)4e* in ons%/t)tion 8eore t4e )se )s

)ssi0ne* to t4e riter o t4e o-inion o t4e &o%rts @i$ision.

LEONAR@O A. UI!UM"ING

!ssociate Justice

Chairperson, Second Division

CERTIFICATION

P%rs%)nt to !etion 13, Arti/e (III o t4e &onstit%tion, )n* t4e @i$ision &4)ir-ersons Attest)tion, it is

4ere86 ertiie* t4)t t4e on/%sions in t4e )8o$e @eision 4)* 8een re)4e* in ons%/t)tion 8eore t4e

)se )s )ssi0ne* to t4e riter o t4e o-inion o t4e &o%rts @i$ision.

REYNA'O !. PUNO

Chief Justice


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Republic of the Philippines

Supree Court

!"nil"

T#IRD DIVISION

PEOP$E OF T#E P#I$IPPINES,

A--e//ee,

# $ers%s #

FE$I!ON PA%ADUAN yTA!A&O'

A--e//)nt.

%.R. No. ()*+,*

Present:

&ARPIO MORALE! , J., Chairperson,

"RION,

"ER!AMIN,∗A"A@, )n*

(ILLARAMA, JR., JJ .

Pro%/0)te*:

A%0%st 12, 21

--

D E C I S I O N

/RION' J .:

De re$ie t4e *eision1; o t4e &o%rt o A--e)/s >C!? in &A#G.R. &R#.&. No. 1597 4i4

)ire* in toto t4e *eision2; o t4e Re0ion)/ 'ri)/ &o%rt > "#C ?, "r)n4 27, ")6o8on0, N%e$)

(i=)6), in &riin)/ &)se No. s4)8%?, ) *)n0ero%s *r%0, )s

ont)ine* in ) 4e)t#se)/e* tr)ns-)rent -/)sti s)4et to PO3 Peter &. A/)re=, ) e8er

o t4e P4i/i--ine @r%0 Enoreent A0en6 >P@EA? 4o -ose* )s ) 8%6er o s4)8% in

t4e )o%nt o P2., to t4e *))0e )n* -re%*ie o t4e Re-%8/i o t4e P4i/i--ines.

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&ON'RARY 'O LAD.3;

'4e )--e//)nt -/e)*e* not 0%i/t6 on )rr)i0nent. 'ri)/ on t4e erits, t4ere)ter, o//oe*.

'4e e$i*ene or t4e -rose%tion re$e)/s t4e o//oin0 )ts.

Ater 4)$in0 reei$e* inor)tion t4)t t4e )--e//)nt )s se//in0 i//e0)/ *r%0s in N%e$) (i=)6),

&)-t)in J)ie *e (er) )//e*, on 4is e//%/)r -4one, PO3 Peter A/)re= )n* !PO1 @oin0o ")/i*o 4o

ere 8ot4 in !)nti)0o &it6 )n* inore* t4e o ) -/)nne* 8%6#8%st o-er)tion. '4e6 )0ree* to eet )t

t4e !!! "%i/*in0 ne)r LMN ote/ in ")6o8on0, N%e$) (i=)6).


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E4i8it + # t4e reF%est or /)8or)tor6 e)in)tion reei$e* 86 +orensi &4eist

%intero

'4e *eense -resente* ) *ierent $ersion o t4e e$ents, s%)ri=e* )s o//os:

At )ro%n*


17/38

In 4is 8rie,23; t4e )--e//)nt /)is t4)t t4e /oer o%rts erre* in on$itin0 4i o t4e rie 4)r0e*

*es-ite t4e -rose%tions )i/%re to -ro$e 4is 0%i/t 8e6on* re)son)8/e *o%8t. e 4)r-s on t4e )t t4)t t4e

-o/ie *i* not on*%t ) -rior s%r$ei//)ne on 4i 8eore on*%tin0 t4e 8%6#8%st o-er)tion.

'4e )--e//)nt %rt4er onten*s t4)t t4e -rose%tion )i/e* to s4o )n %n8roBen 4)in o %sto*6

in t4e 4)n*/in0 o t4e sei=e* *r%0. e /)is t4)t t4ere )s no e$i*ene to s4o 4en t4e )rBin0s ere

*one. Moreo$er, ) -erio* o to *)6s 4)* e/)-se* ro t4e tie t4e shabu )s onis)te* to t4e tie it

)s or)r*e* to t4e rie /)8or)tor6 or e)in)tion.

'4e Oie o t4e !o/iitor Gener)/ >&SG? o%nters it4 t4e )r0%ent t4)t t4e 4)in o %sto*6 o

t4e shabu )s s%iient/6 est)8/is4e*. It e-/)ine* t4)t t4e shabu)s t%rne* o$er 86 t4e -o/ie oiers to

t4e PNP &rie L)8or)tor6, 4ere it )s o%n* 86 t4e orensi 4eist to 8e -ositi$e or t4e -resene

o shabu. '4e O!G /iBeise /)ie* t4)t t4e )--e//)nt )i/e* to re8%t t4e -res%-tion o re0%/)rit6 in t4e

-eror)ne o oii)/ *%ties 86 t4e -o/ie. '4e O!G %rt4er )**e* t4)t ) -rior s%r$ei//)ne is not

in*is-ens)8/e to ) -rose%tion or i//e0)/ s)/e o *r%0s.2


18/38


19/38

A: D4en t4e s4)8% )s )/re)*6 it4 e )n* I 0)$e 4i t4e one6,; I si0n)/e*

t4e to, &)-t)in J)ie *e (er) )n* !PO1 ")/i*o, sir.

: Ater 6o% 0)$e t4)t si0n)/, 4)t 4)--ene*H

A: '4en t4e6 )--ro)4e* %s )n* 4e/-e* e in )rrestin0 +e/ion P)0)*%)n, sir.

: Ater P)0)*%)n )s )rreste*, 4)t 4)--ene* netH

A: Ater )rrestin0 P)0)*%)n,; e 8ro%04t 4i *iret/6 in @i)*i Po/ie !t)tion,

sir.

: D4)t 4)--ene* 4en 6o% 8ro%04t t4e )%se* to t4e Po/ie !t)tion in @i)*iH

A: D4en e ere )/re)*6 in @i)*i Po/ie !t)tion, e irst -%t 4i in )i/ in t4e

M%nii-)/ J)i/ o @i)*i, N%e$) (i=)6), sir.

: 9h"t 5i5 7ou 5o :ith the sh"bu;

A: The re8uest for l"bor"tor7 e-"in"tion :"s prep"re5 "n5 :"s brou2ht to

the Crie $"b. of Sol"no' Nue1" Vi :e prep"re5 our

?oint "ffi5"1it for subission of the c"se to the Court' sir.29;

+ro t4e ore0oin0 e4)n0es *%rin0 tri)/, it is e$i*ent t4)t t4e )--re4en*in0 te), %-on onis)tion o

t4e *r%0, ie*i)te/6 8ro%04t t4e )--e//)nt )n* t4e sei=e* ites to t4e -o/ie st)tion, )n*, one t4ere,

)*e t4e reF%est or /)8or)tor6 e)in)tion. No -46si)/ in$entor6 )n* -4oto0r)-4 o t4e sei=e* ites

ere t)Ben in t4e -resene o t4e )%se* or 4is o%nse/, ) re-resent)ti$e ro t4e e*i) )n* t4e

@e-)rtent o J%stie, )n* )n e/eti$e oii)/. PO3 A/)re=, on ross#e)in)tion, )s %ns%re )n* o%/*

not 0i$e ) )te0ori)/ )nser 4en )sBe* 4et4er 4e iss%e* ) reei-t or t4e shabuonis)te* ro t4e

)--e//)nt.3; At )n6 r)te, no s%4 reei-t or ertii)te o in$entor6 )--e)rs in t4e reor*s.

In se$er)/ )ses, e 4)$e e-4)si=e* t4e i-ort)ne o o-/i)ne it4 t4e -resri8e* -roe*%re in t4e %sto*6 )n* *is-osition o t4e sei=e* *r%0s. De 4)$e re-e)te*/6 *e/)re* t4)t t4e

*e$i)tion ro t4e st)n*)r* -roe*%re *is)//6 o-roises t4e inte0rit6 o t4e e$i*ene. In People v.

'orales,31; e )F%itte* t4e )%se* or )i/%re o t4e 8%6#8%st te) to -4oto0r)-4 )n* in$entor6 t4e

sei=e* ites, it4o%t 0i$in0 )n6 %stii)8/e 0ro%n* or t4e non#o8ser$)ne o t4e reF%ire*

-roe*%res. People v. Garcia32; /iBeise res%/te* in )n )F%itt)/ 8e)%se no -46si)/ in$entor6 )s e$er

)*e, )n* no -4oto0r)-4 o t4e sei=e* ites )s t)Ben %n*er t4e ir%st)nes reF%ire* 86 R.A. No.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/august2010/179029.htm#_ftn33


20/38

915 )n* its i-/eentin0 r%/es. In (ondad, Jr. v. People,33; e )/so )F%itte* t4e )%se* or t4e )i/%re

o t4e -o/ie to on*%t )n in$entor6 )n* to -4oto0r)-4 t4e sei=e* ites, it4o%t %stii)8/e 0ro%n*s.

De 4)* t4e s)e r%/in0s in People v. Gutierre) , [34] People v. Denoman,35; People v. Parto)a,3; People v. "obles,37; )n* People v. dela Cru) ,3; 4ere e e-4)si=e* t4e i-ort)ne o o-/6in0

it4 t4e reF%ire* )n*)tor6 -roe*%res %n*er !etion 21 o R.A. No. 915.

De reo0ni=e t4)t t4e strit o-/i)ne it4 t4e reF%ireents o !etion 21 o R.A. No. 915 )6 not

)/)6s 8e -ossi8/e %n*er ie/* on*itions t4e -o/ie o-er)tes %n*er $)rie* on*itions, )n* )nnot )t )//

ties )tten* to )// t4e nieties o t4e -roe*%res in t4e 4)n*/in0 o onis)te* e$i*ene. +or t4is re)son,

t4e /)st sentene o t4e i-/eentin0 r%/es -ro$i*es t4)t non#o-/i)ne it4 t4ese reF%ireents %n*er

%stii)8/e 0ro%n*s, )s /on0 )s t4e inte0rit6 )n* t4e e$i*enti)r6 $)/%e o t4e sei=e* ites )re -ro-er/6

-reser$e* 86 t4e )--re4en*in0 oierCte), s4)// not ren*er $oi* )n* in$)/i* s%4 sei=%res o )n*

%sto*6 o$er s)i* ites.; '4%s, nono-/i)ne it4 t4e strit *ireti$e o !etion 21 o R.A. No. 915

is not neess)ri/6 )t)/ to t4e -rose%tions )se -o/ie -roe*%res in t4e 4)n*/in0 o onis)te* e$i*ene

)6 sti// 4)$e soe /)-ses, )s in t4e -resent )se. These l"pses' ho:e1er' ust be reco2ni


21/38

e$i*ene 0oes to ei04t not to )*issi8i/it6 o e$i*ene. Com. *. +hite, - 'ass.%/,

$$ 0.1.$d -.

LiBeise, !etion 1>8? o @)n0ero%s @r%0s "o)r* Re0%/)tion No. 1, !eries o 22 4i4 i-/eents

R.A. No. 915 *eines 4)in o %sto*6 )s o//os:&4)in o &%sto*6 e)ns t4e *%/6 reor*e* )%t4ori=e* o$eents )n* %sto*6 o sei=e*

*r%0s or ontro//e* 4ei)/s or -/)nt so%res o *)n0ero%s *r%0s or /)8or)tor6

eF%i-ent o e)4 st)0e, ro t4e tie o sei=%reConis)tion to reei-t in t4e orensi

/)8or)tor6 to s)eBee-in0 to -resent)tion in o%rt or *estr%tion. !%4 reor* o

o$eents )n* %sto*6 o sei=e* ite s4)// in/%*e t4e i*entit6 )n* si0n)t%re o t4e

-erson 4o 4e/* te-or)r6 %sto*6 o t4e sei=e* ite, t4e *)te )n* tie 4en s%4tr)nser o %sto*6 ere )*e in t4e o%rse o s)eBee-in0 )n* %se in o%rt )s e$i*ene,

)n* t4e in)/ *is-osition.;

In 'alillin v. People,


22/38

te-or)r6 %sto*6 o t4e sei=e* ites *%rin0 t4is si0nii)nt inter$enin0 -erio* o tie. A/t4o%04 t4e

reor*s s4o t4)t t4e reF%est or /)8or)tor6 e)in)tion o t4e sei=e* -/)sti s)4et )s -re-)re* 86

&)-t)in *e (er), t4e e$i*ene *oes not s4o t4)t 4e )s t4e oii)/ 4o reei$e* t4e )rBe* -/)sti

s)4et ro t4e 8%6#8%st te).

As or t4e subse2uent links in t4e 4)in o %sto*6, t4e reor*s s4o t4)t t4e sei=e* s-eien )s

or)r*e* 86 PO3 A/)re= to t4e PNP &rie L)8or)tor6 on @ee8er 29, 23, 4ere it )s reei$e*

86 PO2 @%/n%)n, )n* /)ter e)ine* 86 P!I %intero. oe$er, t4e -erson ro 4o PO3 A/)re=

reei$e* t4e sei=e* i//e0)/ *r%0 or tr)nser to t4e rie /)8or)tor6 )s not i*entiie*. As e)r/ier *is%sse*,

t4e i*entit6 o t4e *%t6 *esB oier 4o reei$e* t4e shabu, )s e// )s t4e -erson 4o 4)* te-or)r6

%sto*6 o t4e sei=e* ites or to *)6s, 4)* not 8een est)8/is4e*.

'4e -roe*%r)/ /)-ses entione* )8o$e s4o t4e 0/)rin0 0)-s in t4e 4)in o %sto*6, re)tin0 )

re)son)8/e *o%8t 4et4er the 5ru2s confisc"te5 fro the "ppell"nt :ere the s"e 5ru2s th"t :ere

brou2ht to the crie l"bor"tor7 for cheic"l "n"l7sis' "n5 e1entu"ll7 offere5 in court "s e1i5ence .

In t4e )8sene o onrete e$i*ene on t4e i//e0)/ *r%0s 8o%04t )n* so/*, t4e 8o*6 o t4e rie t4e corpusdelicti 4)s not 8een )*eF%)te/6 -ro$en.


23/38

t4e -rose%tion 4)s not -ro$e*, in t4e irst -/)e, )// t4e e/eents o t4e rie 4)r0e*, 4i4 in t4is )se

is t4ecorpus delicti, t4en t4e )--e//)nt *eser$es no /ess t4)n )n )F%itt)/.

9#EREFORE, -reises onsi*ere*, e 4ere86 REVERSE )n* SET ASIDEt4e M)6 22, 27

@eision o t4e &o%rt o A--e)/s in &A#G.R. &R#.&. No. 1597.A--e//)nt +e/ion P)0)*%)n y '))6o

is 4ere86 ACQUITTED or )i/%re o t4e -rose%tion to -ro$e 4is 0%i/t 8e6on* re)son)8/e *o%8t. e is

or*ere* ie*i)te/6RE$EASED ro *etention %n/ess 4e is onine* or )not4er /)%/ )%se.

Let ) o-6 o t4is @eision 8e %rnis4e* t4e @iretor, "%re)% o &orretions,M%ntin/%-) &it6 or

ie*i)te i-/eent)tion. '4e @iretor o t4e "%re)% o &orretions is *irete* to re-ort t4e )tion 4e

4)s t)Ben to t4is &o%rt it4in i$e *)6s ro reei-t o t4is @eision.

SO ORDERED.

ARTURO D. /RION

Assoi)te J%stie

9E CONCUR :

CONC#ITA CARPIO !ORA$ES

Assoi)te J%stie

$UCAS P. /ERSA!IN

Assoi)te J%stie

RO/ERTO A. A/AD

Assoi)te J%stie

!ARTIN S. VI$$ARA!A' R.

Assoi)te J%stie

ATTESTATION

I )ttest t4)t t4e on/%sions in t4e )8o$e @eision 4)* 8een re)4e* in ons%/t)tion 8eore t4e )se )s

)ssi0ne* to t4e riter o t4e o-inion o t4e &o%rts @i$ision.

CONC#ITA CARPIO !ORA$ES

Assoi)te J%stie


24/38

&4)ir-erson

CERTIFICATION

P%rs%)nt to !etion 13, Arti/e (III o t4e &onstit%tion, )n* t4e @i$ision &4)ir-ersons

Attest)tion, it is 4ere86 ertiie* t4)t t4e on/%sions in t4e )8o$e @eision 4)* 8een re)4e* in

ons%/t)tion 8eore t4e )se )s )ssi0ne* to t4e riter o t4e o-inion o t4e &o%rts @i$ision.

RENATO C. CORONA

&4ie J%stie


25/38

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 203984 June 18, 2014

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee,vs.MEDARIO CALANTIAO DIMALANTA, Accused-Appellant.

D E C I S I O N

LEONARDO!DE CASTRO, J.:

This is an appeal f!" the #anua$ % &, '(%' Decisi!n% !f the C!ut !f Appeals in CA-).R. CR.-*.C. N!. (+(, affi"in in t!t! the #ul$ '/, '(( Decisi!n ' !f the Rei!nal Tial C!ut 0RTC1!f Cal!!can Cit$, 2anch %'&, findin accused-appellant 3edai! Calantia! $ Di"alanta0Calantia!1 uilt$ 4e$!nd eas!na4le d!u4t !f vi!latin Secti!n %%, Aticle II !f Repu4lic Act N!.

%5 ! the C!"pehensive Dane!us Dus Act !f '(('.

On N!ve"4e %/, '((/, Calantia! 6as chaed 4ef!e the RTC !f vi!lati!n !f Secti!n %%, Aticle II !f Repu4lic Act N!. %5 in an Inf!"ati!n,/ the petinent p!ti!n !f 6hich eads7 That!n ! a4!ut the %%th da$ !f N!ve"4e, '((/ in Cal!!can Cit$, 3et! 3anila, Philippines and6ithin the 8uisdicti!n !f this *!n!a4le C!ut, the a4!ve-na"ed accused, 6ith!ut an$ auth!it$!f la6, did then and thee 6illfull$, unla6full$ and fel!ni!usl$ have in his p!ssessi!n, cust!d$and c!nt!l t6! 0'1 4ic9s !f died "ai8uana fuitin t!ps 6ith a t!tal 6eiht !f & . a"s,9n!6in the sa"e t! 4e a dane!us du.

The facts, as s$nthesi:ed 4$ the RTC and ad!pted 4$ the C!ut !f Appeals, ae as f!ll!6s7

EVIDENCE OF T*E PROSEC;TION

On N!ve"4e %/, '((/ > > in the aften!!n, 6hile PO% NE?SON 3ARIANOand PO/ ED;ARDO RA3IRE@ 6ee !n dut$, a cetain EDIN ?O#ERA aived at thei !fficeand as9ed f! p!lice assistance eadin a sh!!tin incident. Pe ep!t !f the latte, it appeasthat 6hile divin a t!6in tuc9 and tavesin al!n EDSA, 2alinta6a9, Bue:!n Cit$, he had ataffic dispute 0ititan1 6ith a 6hite ta>i ca4 p!"ptin hi" t! f!ll!6 said vehicle until the$eached al!n th Avenue Steet c!ne C-/ R!ad, Cal!!can Cit$. Theeat, the passenes !f said ta>i ca4, !ne !f the" 6as accused Calantia!, alihted and fied thei uns. Supised,?!8ea c!uld n!t d! an$thin 4ut c!ntinued his divin until he eached a p!lice stati!n nea4$6hee he ep!ted the incident.

The p!lice !ffices !n dut$ then 6ee PO% NE?SON 3ARIANO and PO/ ED;ARDO [email protected]% 3aian! testified that the$ i""ediatel$ esp!nded t! said c!"plaint 4$ p!ceedin t! 5th

Avenue c!ne th Steet, Cal!!can Cit$ 6hee the$ f!und the 6hite ta>i. hile app!achinsaid vehicle, t6! a"ed "en alihted theef!", fied thei uns t!6ads the" 0p!lice !ffices1and an a6a$. PO% 3aian! and PO/ Ra"ie: chased the" 4ut the$ 6ee su4dued. PO%3aian! ec!veed f!" Calantia! a 4lac9 4a c!ntainin t6! 0'1 4ic9s !f died "ai8uanafuitin t!ps and a "aa:ine !f supe / stainless 6ith a""!s, 6hile PO/ Ra"ie: ec!veedf!" Calantia!s c!"pani!n


26/38

The suspects and the c!nfiscated ite"s 6ee then tuned !ve t! SPO/ PA2?O TE3ENA,p!lice investiat! at 2a!n 2ai! P!lice Stati!n f! investiati!n. Theeat, PO% 3aian!"a9ed the 4ic9s !f "ai8uana c!ntained in a 4lac9 4a 6ith his initials, N3. Theeafte, saidspeci"en 6ee f!6aded t! the PNP Ci"e ?a4!at!$ f! che"ical anal$sis. The esult !f thee>a"inati!n c!nducted 4$ PSINSP. #ESSSE DE?A ROSA evealed that the sa"e 6as p!sitivef! "ai8uana, a dane!us du.

The f!e!in testi"!n$ !f PO% 3ARIANO 6as c!!4!ated 4$ PO/ RA3IRE@ 6h! testifiedthat he pes!nall$ sa6 th!se 4ic9s !f "ai8uana c!nfiscated f!" the accused. *e c!nfi"edthat he 6as 6ith PO% 3aian! 6hen the$ appehended said accused and his c!"pani!n andtestified that 6hile PO% 3aian! ec!veed f!" the accused a 4lac9 4a c!ntainin "ai8uana,!n his pat, he c!nfiscated f!" accuseds c!"pani!n a ./ ev!lve.

3R. CRISENDO A3ANSEC, the dive !f the ta>i 6hee the suspects 4!aded 6as als!pesented in !pen c!ut and testified as t! 6hat he 9n!6s a4!ut the incident. *e c!nfi"ed that!n that date, t6! 0'1 pes!ns 4!aded !n his ta>i and up!n eachin C-/ R!ad, the$ alihtedand fied thee 0/1 sh!ts and an a6a$.

Aside f!" the !al testi"!nies !f the 6itnesses, the p!secuti!n als! !ffeed the f!ll!6ind!cu"enta$ evidence t! 4!!st thei chae aainst the accused7

E>h. A G ReHuest f! ?a4!at!$ E>a"inati!n dated N!ve"4e %', '((/

E>h. 2 G Ph$sical Sciences Rep!t N!. D-%+'/-(/ dated N!ve"4e %', '((/

E>h. C-% G Pictue !f Fist 4ic9 !f "ai8uana fuitin t!ps

E>h. C-' G Pictue !f Sec!nd 4ic9 !f "ai8uana fuitin t!ps

E>h. D G Refeal Slip dated N!ve"4e %', '((/

E>h. E G Pinasa"an Sinu"paan Sala$sa$ dated N!ve"4e %', '((/ !f PO/Eduad! Ra"ie: and PO% Nels!n 3aian!

E>h. E-% G Thei espective sinatues

E>h. F G Sinu"paan Sala$sa$ !f Cisend! A"ansec 0E!ne!usl$ "a9ed as E>h.E1

EVIDENCE OF T*E DEFENSE

The accused !ffeed a diffeent vesi!n !f the st!$. Acc!din t! his testi"!n$, this instant case!iinated f!" a taffic "ishap 6hee the ta>i he and his c!"pani!n R!""el Re$es 6eeidin al"!st c!llided 6ith an!the ca. Re$es then !pened the 6ind!6 and "ade a fuc9 $!usin aainst the pes!ns !n 4!ad !f that ca. That p!"pted the latte t! chase the" and 6henthe$ 6ee cauht in a taffic 8a", PO% Nels!n 3aian!, !ne !f the pes!ns !n 4!ad !f that!the ca alihted and 9ic9ed thei ta>i. Calantia! and Re$es alihted and PO% 3aian! slappedthe latte and utteed, Putan ina "! 4a9it "! a9! pina9$u hindi "! 4a a9! 9ilala Said p!lice!ffice p!9ed his un aain


27/38

Calantia! and Re$es 6ee then handcuffed and 6ee 4!uht t! the p!lice stati!n. Theeat, the$6ee su48ected t! 4!d$ fis9in and thei 6allets and "!ne$ 6ee ta9en. PO% 3aian! thenpepaed s!"e d!cu"ents and inf!"ed the" that the$ 6ill 4e chaed f! dus. A ne6spape c!ntainin "ai8uana 6as sh!6n t! the" and said p!lice !ffice t!ld the" that it 6!uld 4esufficient evidence aainst the". The$ 6ee detained and su48ected t! "edical e>a"inati!n4ef!e the$ 6ee su4"itted f! inHuest at the p!secut!s !ffice. +

Rulin !f the RTC

On #ul$ '/, '((, the RTC endeed its Decisi!n ivin cedence t! the p!secuti!ns case. Thedisp!sitive p!ti!n !f the Decisi!n eads7

*EREFORE, pe"ises c!nsideed, 8ud"ent is hee4$ endeed declain accused3EDARIO CA?ANTIAO $ DI3A?ANTA, );I?TJ 2EJOND REASONA2?E DO;2T !f the!ffense !f Vi!lati!n !f Secti!n %%, Aticle II, R.A. %5, f! illeall$ p!ssessin&. a"s !f "ai8uana fuitin t!ps. *encef!th, this C!ut hee4$ sentences hi" t! suffe the penalt$ !f lifei"pis!n"ent and a fine !f Five *unded Th!usand Pes!s 0Php5((,(((.((1.5

In c!nvictin Calantia!, the RTC held that the illeal du sei:ed 6as ad"issi4le in evidence asit 6as disc!veed duin a 4!d$ seach afte Calantia! 6as cauht in flaante delict! !f p!ssessin a un and fiin at the p!lice !ffices. 3!e!ve, the RTC f!und all the ele"ents !f the !ffense t! have 4een dul$ esta4lished 4$ the p!secuti!n.

Aieved, Calantia! appealed& his c!nvicti!n t! the C!ut !f Appeals, assinin the f!ll!6ine!s7

I

T*E CO;RT A B;O)RAVE?J ERRED IN FINDIN) T*E ACC;SED-APPE??ANT

);I?TJ 2EJOND REASONA2?E DO;2T FOR VIO?ATION OF SECTION %%, ARTIC?EII, REP;2?IC ACT NO. %5, NOTIT*STANDIN) T*E FACT T*AT T*E A??E)ED?JSEI@ED ITE3S ARE INAD3ISSI2?E IN EVIDENCE.

II

T*E CO;RT A B;O)RAVE?J ERRED IN CONVICTIN) T*E ACC;SED-APPE??ANTDESPITE T*E ARRESTIN) OFFICERS PATENT NON-CO3P?IANCE IT*T*EREB;IRE3ENTS FOR T*E PROPER C;STODJ OF SEI@ED DAN)ERO;S DR;)S.

III

T*E CO;RT A B;O)RAVE?J ERRED IN CONVICTIN) T*E ACC;SED-APPE??ANTDESPITE T*E PROSEC;TIONS FAI?;RE TO PROVE T*E PROPER C*AIN OFC;STODJ OF T*E SEI@ED DAN)ERO;S DR;)S.

Rulin !f the C!ut !f Appeals

The C!ut !f Appeals f!und n! eas!n t! !vetun Calantia!s c!nvicti!n. It f!und that thee 6assufficient eas!n t! 8ustif$ a 6aantless aest, as the p!lice !ffices 6ee actin !n a leiti"ate

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c!"plaint and had a eas!na4le suspici!n that the pes!ns identified at the scene 6ee thepepetat!s !f the !ffense. ?i9e6ise, the C!ut !f Appeals held that the seach and su4seHuentsei:ue !f the "ai8uana in Huesti!n 6as la6ful and valid, 4ein incidental t! a la6fulaest. Findin that all the ele"ents !f the chae !f illeal p!ssessi!n !f dane!us dus t!4e pesent and dul$ p!ven,%( the C!ut !f Appeals, !n #anua$ %&, '(%', p!"ulated itsDecisi!n, affi"in in t!t! the RTCs ulin.

;ndaunted, Calantia! is n!6 4ef!e this C!ut pa$in f! an acHuittal, addin the f!ll!6inau"ents in supp!t !f his p!siti!n7

Fist, the plain vie6 d!ctine is n!t an e>cepti!n t! a seach incident t! a valid 6aantlessaest.

> > > >

Sec!nd, Calantia! did n!t 6aive the inad"issi4ilit$ !f the sei:ed ite"s.

> > > >

Finall$, the sei:ed ite"s cust!dial chain is 4!9en.%%

In essence, Calantia! is Huesti!nin the ad"issi4ilit$ !f the "ai8uana f!und in his p!ssessi!n,as evidence aainst hi" !n the !unds !f eithe it 6as disc!veed via an illeal seach, ! 4ecause its cust!dial chain 6as 4!9en.

Rulin !f this C!ut

This C!ut finds n! "eit in Calantia!s au"ents.

Seach and Sei:ue !f 3ai8uana valid

This C!ut cann!t su4sci4e t! Calantia!s c!ntenti!n that the "ai8uana in his p!ssessi!ncann!t 4e ad"itted as evidence aainst hi" 4ecause it 6as illeall$ disc!veed and sei:ed, n!thavin 4een 6ithin the appehendin !ffices plain vie6.%'

Seaches and sei:ue incident t! a la6ful aest ae !vened 4$ Secti!n %/, Rule %' !f theRevised Rules !f Ci"inal P!cedue, t! 6it7

Secti!n %/.Seach incident t! la6ful aest.G A pes!n la6full$ aested "a$ 4e seached f! dane!us 6eap!ns ! an$thin 6hich "a$ have 4een used ! c!nstitute p!!f in the

c!""issi!n !f an !ffense 6ith!ut a seach 6aant.

The pup!se !f all!6in a 6aantless seach and sei:ue incident t! a la6ful aest is t!p!tect the aestin !ffice f!" 4ein ha"ed 4$ the pes!n aested, 6h! "iht 4e a"ed 6itha c!ncealed 6eap!n, and t! pevent the latte f!" dest!$in evidence 6ithin each.%/ It istheef!e a eas!na4le e>ecise !f the States p!lice p!6e t! p!tect 0%1 la6 enf!ces f!" thein8u$ that "a$ 4e inflicted !n the" 4$ a pes!n the$ have la6full$ aestedK and 0'1 evidence

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f!" 4ein dest!$ed 4$ the aestee. It see9s t! ensue the safet$ !f the aestin !ffices andthe inteit$ !f the evidence unde the c!nt!l and 6ithin the each !f the aestee.

In Pe!ple v. Vale!s!,%+ this C!ut had the !ccasi!n t! eiteate the pe"issi4le each !f a valid6aantless seach and sei:ue incident t! a la6ful aest, vi:7

hen an aest is "ade, it is eas!na4le f! the aestin !ffice t! seach the pes!n aestedin !de t! e"!ve an$ 6eap!n that the latte "iht use in !de t! esist aest ! effect hisescape. Othe6ise, the !ffices safet$ "iht 6ell 4e endaneed, and the aest itself fustated.In additi!n, it is entiel$ eas!na4le f! the aestin !ffice t! seach f! and sei:e an$ evidence!n the aestees pes!n in !de t! pevent its c!nceal"ent ! destucti!n.

3!e!ve, in la6ful aests, it 4ec!"es 4!th the dut$ and the iht !f the appehendin !fficest! c!nduct a 6aantless seach n!t !nl$ !n the pes!n !f the suspect, 4ut als! in thepe"issi4le aea 6ithin the lattes each. Othe6ise stated, a valid aest all!6s the sei:ue !f evidence ! dane!us 6eap!ns eithe !n the pes!n !f the !ne aested ! 6ithin the aea !f his i""ediate c!nt!l. The phase 6ithin the aea !f his i""ediate c!nt!l "eans the aeaf!" 6ithin 6hich he "iht ain p!ssessi!n !f a 6eap!n ! destucti4le evidence. A un !n ata4le ! in a da6e in f!nt !f !ne 6h! is aested can 4e as dane!us t! the aestin !ffice as !ne c!ncealed in the cl!thin !f the pes!n aested. 0Citati!ns !"itted.1

In Vale!s!, h!6eve, the C!ut held that the evidence seached and sei:ed f!" hi" c!uld n!t4e used aainst hi" 4ecause the$ 6ee disc!veed in a !!", diffeent f!" 6hee he 6as4ein detained, and 6as in a l!c9ed ca4inet. Thus, the aea seached c!uld n!t 4e c!nsideedas !ne 6ithin his i""ediate c!nt!l that he c!uld ta9e an$ 6eap!n ! dest!$ an$ evidenceaainst hi".%5

In the case at 4a, the "ai8uana 6as f!und in a 4lac9 4a in Calantia!s p!ssessi!n and 6ithinhis i""ediate c!nt!l. *e c!uld have easil$ ta9en an$ 6eap!n f!" the 4a ! du"ped it t!dest!$ the evidence inside it. As the 4lac9 4a c!ntainin the "ai8uana 6as in Calantia!sp!ssessi!n, it 6as 6ithin the pe"issi4le aea that the appehendin !ffices c!uld validl$c!nduct a 6aantless seach.

Calantia!s au"ent that the "ai8uana cann!t 4e used as evidence aainst hi" 4ecause itsdisc!ve$ 6as in vi!lati!n !f the Plain Vie6 D!ctine, is "isplaced.

The Plain Vie6 D!ctine is actuall$ the e>cepti!n t! the inad"issi4ilit$ !f evidence !4tained in a6aantless seach incident t! a la6ful aest !utside the suspects pes!n and pe"ises unde his i""ediate c!nt!l. This is s! 4ecause


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ac!ss the 4lac9 4a, 6hich 6as in Calantia!s p!ssessi!nK the$ deli4eatel$ !pened it, as pat!f the seach incident t! Calantia!s la6ful aest.

Invent!$ and Chain !f Cust!d$ !f Evidence

Calantia! clai"s that even if the seach and sei:ue 6ee validl$ effected, the "ai8uana is stillinad"issi4le as evidence aainst hi" f! failue !f the appehendin !ffices t! c!"pl$ 6ith theules !n chain !f cust!d$, as the ite" 6as "a9ed at the p!lice stati!n. %

The petinent p!visi!ns !f Repu4lic Act N!. %5 p!vide as f!ll!6s7

Secti!n '%. Cust!d$ and Disp!siti!n !f C!nfiscated, Sei:ed, and! Suendeed Dane!usDus, Plant S!uces !f Dane!us Dus, C!nt!lled Pecus!s and Essential Che"icals,Instu"entsPaaphenalia and! ?a4!at!$ EHuip"ent. G The PDEA shall ta9e chae andhave cust!d$ !f all dane!us dus, plant s!uces !f dane!us dus, c!nt!lled pecus!sand essential che"icals, as 6ell as instu"entspaaphenalia and! la4!at!$ eHuip"ent s!c!nfiscated, sei:ed and! suendeed, f! p!pe disp!siti!n in the f!ll!6in "anne7

0%1 The appehendin tea" havin initial cust!d$ and c!nt!l !f the dus shall,i""ediatel$ afte sei:ue and c!nfiscati!n, ph$sicall$ invent!$ and ph!t!aph thesa"e in the pesence !f the accused ! the pes!ns f!" 6h!" such ite"s 6eec!nfiscated and! sei:ed, ! hishe epesentative ! c!unsel, a epesentative f!" the"edia and the Depat"ent !f #ustice 0DO#1, and an$ elected pu4lic !fficial 6h! shall 4eeHuied t! sin the c!pies !f the invent!$ and 4e iven a c!p$ thee!f


31/38

This C!ut has held that the failue t! stictl$ c!"pl$ 6ith Secti!n '%, Aticle II !f Repu4lic ActN!. %5, such as i""ediatel$ "a9in sei:ed dus, 6ill n!t aut!"aticall$ i"pai the inteit$!f chain !f cust!d$ 4ecause 6hat is !f ut"!st i"p!tance is the pesevati!n !f the inteit$ andthe evidentia$ value !f the sei:ed ite"s, as these 6!uld 4e utili:ed in the dete"inati!n !f theuilt ! inn!cence !f the accused.%

Secti!n '% and its IRR d! n!t even "enti!n "a9in. hat the$ eHuie ae 0%1 ph$sicalinvent!$, and 0'1 ta9in !f ph!t!aphs. As this C!ut held in Pe!ple v. Ocfe"ia'(7

hat Secti!n '% !f R.A. N!. %5 and its i"ple"entin ule d! n!t e>pessl$ specif$ is the"atte !f "a9in !f the sei:ed ite"s in 6aantless sei:ues t! ensue that the evidencesei:ed up!n appehensi!n is the sa"e evidence su48ected t! invent!$ and ph!t!aph$ 6henthese activities ae undeta9en at the p!lice stati!n athe than at the place !f aest.C!nsistenc$ 6ith the chain !f cust!d$ ule eHuies that the "a9in !f the sei:ed ite"s G t!tul$ ensue that the$ ae the sa"e ite"s that ente the chain and ae eventuall$ the !nes!ffeed in evidence G sh!uld 4e d!ne 0%1 in the pesence !f the appehended vi!lat! 0'1i""ediatel$ up!n c!nfiscati!n.

The p!secuti!n 6as a4le t! esta4lish the chain !f cust!d$ !f the sei:ed "ai8uana f!" theti"e the p!lice !ffices c!nfiscated it, t! the ti"e it 6as tuned !ve t! the investiatin !ffice,up t! the ti"e it 6as 4!uht t! the f!ensic che"ist f! la4!at!$ e>a"inati!n.'% This C!ut hasn! eas!n t! !veule the RTC and the C!ut !f Appeals, 6hich 4!th f!und the chain !f cust!d$!f the sei:ed dus t! have n!t 4een 4!9en s! as t! ende the "ai8uana sei:ed f!"Calantia! inad"issi4le in evidence.

Futhe"!e, unless it can 4e sh!6n that thee 6as 4ad faith, ill 6ill, ! ta"pein !f theevidence, the pesu"pti!n that the inteit$ !f the evidence has 4een peseved 6ill e"ain.The 4uden !f sh!6in the f!e!in t! !vec!"e the pesu"pti!n that the p!lice !fficeshandled the sei:ed dus 6ith eulait$, and that the$ p!pel$ dischaed thei duties is !nCalantia!. ;nf!tunatel$, Calantia! failed t! dischae such 4uden.''

It is 6!th$ t! n!te that these au"ents 6ee !nl$ aised 4$ Calantia! !n his appeal. *ehi"self ad"its this.'/ *is the!$, f!" the ve$ 4einnin, 6as that he did n!t d! it, and that he6as 4ein fa"ed f! havin !ffended the p!lice !ffices. Si"pl$ put, his defense tactic 6as !ne!f denial and fa"e-up. *!6eve, th!se defenses have al6a$s 4een f!6ned up!n 4$ the C!ut,t! 6it7

The defenses !f denial and fa"e-up have 4een invaia4l$ vie6ed 4$ this C!ut 6ith disfav! f! it can easil$ 4e c!nc!cted and is a c!""!n and standad defense pl!$ in p!secuti!ns f! vi!lati!n !f Dane!us Dus Act. In !de t! p!spe, the defenses !f denial and fa"e-up "ust4e p!ved 6ith st!n and c!nvincin evidence. In the cases 4ef!e us, appellant failed t!

pesent sufficient evidence in supp!t !f his clai"s. Aside f!" his self-sevin asseti!ns, n!plausi4le p!!f 6as pesented t! 4!lste his alleati!ns.'+

*ence, as Calantia! failed t! sh!6 clea and c!nvincin evidence that the appehendin!ffices 6ee stied 4$ illicit "!tive ! failed t! p!pel$ pef!" thei duties, thei testi"!niesdeseve full faith and cedit.'5

*EREFORE, pe"ises c!nsideed, the C!ut hee4$ AFFIR3S the #anua$ %&, '(%'Decisi!n !f the C!ut !f Appeals in CA-).R. CR.-*.C. N!. (+(.

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SO ORDERED.

TERESITA J. LEONARDO!DE CASTRO Ass!ciate #ustice

E CONC;R7

MARIA LO"RDES P.A. SERENOChief #usticeChaipes!n

L"CAS P. #ERSAMIN Ass!ciate #ustice

MARTIN S. $ILLARAMA, JR. Ass!ciate #ustice

#IEN$ENIDO L. RE%ES Ass!ciate #ustice

C E R T I F I C A T I O N

Pusuant t! Secti!n %/, Aticle VIII !f the C!nstituti!n, I cetif$ that the c!nclusi!ns in the a4!veDecisi!n had 4een eached in c!nsultati!n 4ef!e the case 6as assined t! the 6ite !f the!pini!n !f the C!uts Divisi!n.

MARIA LO"RDES P. A. SERENOChief #ustice


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FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 209&88 Fe'(u)( 18, 201&

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee,vs.ERIC ROSA"RO #ONGCA*IL, Accused-Appellant.

D E C I S I O N

PERE+, J.:

F! the c!nsideati!n !f the C!ut is an appeal !f the Decisi!n % dated % #une '(%/ !f the C!ut!f Appeals 0CA1 in CA-).R. CR-*.C. N!. ((55'- 3IN, 6hich affi"ed the #ud"ent ' dated '+N!ve"4e '(( !f the Rei!nal Tial C!ut 0RTC1, Caa$an de O! Cit$, 2anch '5 in Ci"inalCase N!. '((+-5, findin accused-appellant Eic R!sau! $ 2!nca6il 0accused-appellant1

uilt$ 4e$!nd eas!na4le d!u4t !f illeal sale !f sha4u unde Sec. 5, Aticle II !f Repu4lic ActN!. %5 0R.A. N!. %51 ! the C!"pehensive Dane!us Dus Act !f '((', sentencin hi"t! suffe the penalt$ !f life i"pis!n"ent and !dein hi" t! pa$ a fine !f P5((,(((.((.

In an A"ended Inf!"ati!n dated '% Fe4ua$ '((5,/ accused-appellant 6as chaed 6ithvi!lati!n !f Sec. 5, At. II !f R. A. N!. %5, t! 6it7

That !n the /d da$ !f #ul$, '((+at a4!ut 57/( !cl!c9 in the aften!!n, "!e ! less, at Pu!9 /,2aana$ P!4laci!n, 3unicipalit$ !f Villanueva, P!vince !f 3isa"is Oiental, Repu4lic !f thePhilippines, and 6ithin the 8uisdicti!n !f this *!n!a4le C!ut, the a4!ve-na"ed accused, n!t4ein auth!i:ed 4$ la6 t! p!ssess and t! sell an$ dane!us dus, 9n!6inl$, 6illfull$ andfel!ni!usl$, did then and thee, sell and c!nve$ t! a thid pes!n, 6h! acted as a dec!$ in a 4u$

4ust !peati!n, !ne 0%1 sachet !f sha4u, c!ntainin (.(+ a"s 0sic1 !f sha4u, 6hich 6hene>a"ined ave POSITIVE esult t! test f! the pesence !f 3etha"pheta"ine *$d!chl!ide0Sha4u1, a dane!us du.+

;p!n e-aain"ent, accused-appellant pleaded n!t uilt$ t! the ci"e chaed.5 Theeafte,pe-tial and tial !n the "eits ensued.

2ased !n the ec!ds, the p!secuti!ns vesi!n !f the facts is as f!ll!6s7

On Oct!4e %/, '((', !n the 4asis !f unc!nfi"ed ep!ts that accused-appellant Eic R!sau!0R!sau! f! 4evit$1 6as sellin and disti4utin dus, the P!vincial Du Enf!ce"ent ;nit !f 3isa"is Oiental c!nducted a test-4u$ !peati!n in the 3unicipalit$ !f Villanueva, 3isa"is

Oiental usin a c!nfidential aent. The c!nfidential aent 4!uht sha4u f!" R!sau! at Pu!9', 2aana$ atipunan, Villanueva, 3isa"is Oiental. The su4stance 4!uht f!" R!sau! 6ase>a"ined 4$ the PNP ci"e la4!at!$ and $ielded a p!sitive esult f! 3etha"pheta"ine*$d!chl!ide 0c!""!nl$ 9n!6n as sha4u1.

On #ul$ /, '((+, the p!lice auth!ities eceived inf!"ati!n that aain dus 6ee 4eindisti4uted at Pu!9 /, 2aana$ P!4laci!n, Villanueva, 3isa"is Oiental. Thus, at 57/( !cl!c9in the aften!!n, the P!vincial Anti-Illeal Dus Special Opeati!n Tas9 ;nit 0PAID-SOT;1

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ele"ents led 4$ SPO+ ?!en:! ?a!t and PO/ #uanch! Di:!n p!siti!ned the"selves in theh!use !f thei c!nfidential aent.

Thee, the PAID-SOT; ele"ents sa6 R!sau! ne!tiate 6ith the c!nfidential aent. Ine>chane f! the !ne 0%1 sachet !f sha4u iven 4$ R!sau! t! the c!nfidential aent, the latte ave hi" a "a9ed %((-pes! 4ill 6ith seial nu"4e J@& %'5&.

Afte the tansacti!n, ?a!t and Di:!n ca"e !ut !f thei hidin place and aested R!sau!.Theeafte, the c!nfidential aent handed the sachet t! ?a!t, 6h! taped it, "a9 edit 6ith the"a9in E>hi4it A, and placed it inside his p!c9et. *e als! t!!9 pictues !f R!sau! and thedus. In the p!lice stati!n, he pepaed a Cetificate !f Invent!$ and a ReHuest f! ?a4!at!$E>a"inati!n. 2!th the dus and R!sau! 6ee then tuned !ve t! the Ci"e la4!at!$.

On the 4asis !f the eHuest "ade 4$ ?a!t, P!lice Chief Inspect! 3a. ?e!c$ 3a-a4!, theF!ensic Che"ical Office !f PNP Ci"e ?a4!at!$ c!nducted a la4!at!$ e>a"inati!n !n thec!ntents !f the sachet, !n accused-appellant, and the "a9ed "!ne$. The e>a"inati!n !f thesei:ed ite" $ielded p!sitive esult f! "etha"pheta"ine h$d!chl!ide 0sha4u1K 6hile theaccused-appellant and the "a9ed "!ne$ tested p!sitive f! the pesence !f ulta-vi!letflu!escent p!6de .

F! his pat, accused-appellant clai"s that he 6as "eel$ a victi" !f instiati!n7

Accused-appellant R!sau!, !n the !the hand, tells a diffeent tale. *e testified that !n #ul$ /,'((+, the p!lice asset 6ent t! his h!use f!u 0+1 ti"es and c!nvinced hi" t! d! an eand f! hi". R!sau! efused t! 4u$ sha4u as he did n!t 9n!6 6hee t! 4u$ !ne. It 6as the c!nfidentialinf!"ant 6h! t!ld hi" t! 4u$ the p!hi4ited du f!" a cetain ael and t! delive it t! thef!"es h!use.It 6as als! the inf!"ant 6h! ave the "!ne$ t! R!sau! t! 4u$ the sha4u. 2utR!sau! 6as n!t a4le t! "eet ! 4u$ diectl$ f!" ael 4ecause it 6as a $!un "an 6h! !tand handed t! hi" the sha4u !n the !ad. hen R!sau! 6ent t! the h!use !f the c!nfidentialinf!"ant as instucted, he 6as aested 4$ SPO+ ?a!t and Di:!n. The sachet !f sha4u 6asn!t even ec!veed f!" hi" 4ut f!" the c!nfidential inf!"ant. &

Findin the evidence !f the p!secuti!n sufficient t! esta4lish the uilt !f accused-appellant, theRTC endeed a 8ud"ent !f c!nvicti!n, vi:.7

IN T*E ?I)*T OF T*E FORE)OIN), this C!ut hee4$ endes #ud"ent findin accusedERIC ROSA;RO $ 2ON)CAI?, uilt$ 4e$!nd eas!na4le d!u4t !f the ci"e chaed in theinf!"ati!n f! sellin and delivein a sachet !f sha4u t! the p!seu 4u$e a Vi!lati!n !f Secti!n 5, Aticle II !f R.A. %5 and i"p!ses a penalt$ !f life i"pis!n"ent and a fine !f Five*unded Th!usand 0PhP 5((,(((.((1 Pes!s and t! pa$ the c!st.

The accused ERIC 2. ROSA;RO 6h! has unde!ne peventive i"pis!n"ent shall 4ecedited in the sevice !f his sentence c!nsistin !f depivati!n !f li4et$, 6ith the full ti"e duin6hich he has unde!ne peventive i"pis!n"ent if the detenti!n pis!ne aees v!luntail$ in6itin t! a4ide 4$ the sa"e disciplina$ ule i"p!sed up!n c!nvicted pis!nes, e>cept th!sedisHualified 4$ la6.

The sachet !f sha4u, E>h. A is c!nfiscated and f!feited in fav! !f the !ven"ent t! 4edest!$ed in acc!dance 6ith la6.

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Accused-appellant appealed 4ef!e the CA, assinin a l!ne e!7

I

T*E CO;RT A B;O )RAVE?J ERRED IN CONVICTIN) T*E ACC;SED-APPE??ANT *EN*IS );I?T AS NOT PROVEN 2EJOND REASONA2?E DO;2T.

Afte a evie6 !f the ec!ds, the CA affi"ed the RTC #ud"ent. The appellate c!ut uled that6hat tanspied in the case at 4a 6as an entap"ent and n!t an instiati!nK %( that all theele"ents !f illeal sale !f eulated ! p!hi4ited dus 6ee dul$ p!venK%% that the n!n-pesentati!n !f the c!nfidential aent in c!ut is n!t fatalK%' that the inc!nsistencies in thetesti"!n$ !f the l!ne 6itness !f the p!secuti!n d! n!t affect the esult !f the caseK %/ and thatthe appehendin tea" 6as a4le t! peseve the inteit$ !f the su48ect du and that thep!secuti!n 6as a4le t! pesent the eHuied un4!9en chain in the cust!d$ !f the su48ectdu.%+ Thus, the CA held7

*EREFORE, the #ud"ent dated N!ve"4e '+, '(( !f the Rei!nal Tial C!ut, 2anch '5,Caa$an de O! Cit$ in Ci"inal Case N!. '((+-5 is hee4$ AFFIR3ED.%5

Accused-appellant is n!6 4ef!e the C!ut see9in a evie6 !f his c!nvicti!n.

Afte a th!!uh evie6 !f the ec!ds, h!6eve, 6e dis"iss the appeal.

It is ap!p!s t! eiteate hee that 6hee thee is n! sh!6in that the tial c!ut !vel!!9ed ! "isintepeted s!"e "ateial facts ! that it avel$ a4used its disceti!n, the C!ut 6ill n!tdistu4 the tial c!uts assess"ent !f the facts and the cedi4ilit$ !f the 6itnesses since theRTC 6as in a 4ette p!siti!n t! assess and 6eih the evidence pesented duin tial. Settledt!! is the ule that the factual findins !f the appellate c!ut sustainin th!se !f the tial c!utae 4indin !n this C!ut, unless thee is a clea sh!6in that such findins ae tainted 6ith

a4itainess, capici!usness ! palpa4le e! .%

The RTC and the CA 4!th f!und the aest !f accused-appellant t! 4e the esult !f a leiti"ateentap"ent p!cedue, and 6e find n!thin in the ec!ds as t! 6aant a c!nta$ findin. InPe!ple v. 2at!l!"e,%& 6e had the !ccasi!n t! discuss the leiti"ac$ !f a dec!$ s!licitati!n, t!6it7

It is n! defense t! the pepetat! !f a ci"e that facilities f! its c!""issi!n 6ee pup!sel$placed in his 6a$, ! that the ci"inal act 6as d!ne at the dec!$ s!licitati!n !f pes!nssee9in t! e>p!se the ci"inal, ! that detectives feinin c!"plicit$ in the act 6ee pesent andappaentl$ assistin its c!""issi!n. Especiall$ is this tue in that class !f cases 6hee the !fficeis !ne ha4ituall$ c!""itted, and the s!licitati!n "eel$ funishes evidence !f a c!use !f

c!nduct.

As hee, the s!licitati!n !f dus f!" appellant 4$ the inf!"ant utili:ed 4$ the p!lice "eel$funishes evidence !f a c!use !f c!nduct. The p!lice eceived an intellience ep!t thatappellant has 4een ha4ituall$ dealin in illeal dus. The$ dul$ acted !n it 4$ utili:in aninf!"ant t! effect a du tansacti!n 6ith appellant. Thee 6as n! sh!6in that the inf!"antinduced the appellant t! sell illeal dus t! hi".1âwphi1

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Si"ilal$, the pesentati!n !f an inf!"ant as 6itness is n!t eaded as indispensa4le t! thesuccess !f a p!secuti!n !f a du-dealin accused. As a ule, the inf!"ant is n!t pesented inc!ut f! secuit$ eas!ns, in vie6 !f the need t! p!tect the inf!"ant f!" the etaliati!n !f theculpit aested th!uh his eff!ts. Thee4$, the c!nfidentialit$ !f the inf!"ants identit$ isp!tected in defeence t! his invalua4le sevices t! la6 enf!ce"ent. Onl$ 6hen the testi"!n$!f the inf!"ant is c!nsideed a4s!lutel$ essential in !4tainin the c!nvicti!n !f the culpit

sh!uld the need t! p!tect his secuit$ 4e diseaded.% In the pesent case, as the 4u$-4ust!peati!n 6as dul$ 6itnessed 4$ the P!vincial Anti-Illeal Dus Special Opeati!n Tas9 ;nit0PAID-SOT;1 ele"ents led 4$ SPO+ ?!en:! ?a!t 0SPO+ ?a!t1 and PO/ #uanch! Di:!n, thei testi"!nies can ta9e the place !f that !f the c!nfidential inf!"ant.

As t! 6hethe accused-appellants uilt 6as esta4lished 4e$!nd eas!na4le d!u4t, 6e ule inthe affi"ative.

In a catena !f cases, this C!ut laid d!6n the essential ele"ents t! 4e dul$ esta4lished f! asuccessful p!secuti!n !f !ffenses inv!lvin the illeal sale !f dane!us ! p!hi4ited dus,li9e sha4u, unde Secti!n 5, Aticle II !f R.A. N!. %5, t! 6it7 0%1 the identit$ !f the 4u$e andthe selle, the !48ect !f the sale, and the c!nsideati!nK and 0'1 the delive$ !f the thin s!ld and

pa$"ent theef!. 2iefl$, the delive$ !f the illicit du t! the p!seu-4u$e and the eceipt !f the"a9ed "!ne$ 4$ the selle successfull$ c!nsu""ate the 4u$-4ust tansacti!n. hat is"ateial, theef!e, is the p!!f that the tansacti!n ! sale tanspied, c!upled 6ith thepesentati!n in c!ut !f the c!pus delicti.%

Veil$, all the ele"ents f! a c!nvicti!n !f illeal sale !f dane!us ! p!hi4ited dus 6eep!ven 4$ the p!secuti!n7 the identit$ !f accused-appellant as the selle, and that !f thec!nfidential inf!"ant as p!seu-4u$e 6ee esta4lished, as 6ell as the e>chane !f the sachet!f sha4u and the "a9ed "!ne$. It 6as als! ascetained that the sei:ed ite" 6as p!sitive f! sha4u, a dane!us du, and that the sa"e ite" 6as p!pel$ identified in !pen c!ut 4$ SPO+?a!t. 3!e!ve, the P%((.(( 4ill 6ith seial nu"4e J@&%'5&, ! the su48ect "a9ed "!ne$,as 6ell as the livin 4!d$ !f the accused-appellant evealed a p!sitive esult f! ultavi!let

flu!escent p!6de.

Accused-appellant aves that the p!secuti!n 6as n!t a4le t! p!ve the c!pus delicti, and thatthe statut!$ safeuads p!vided f! in Sec. '% !f R.A. N!. %5 6ee n!t f!ll!6ed.

Indeed, as 6e held in Pe!ple v. T!es,'( eHuall$ i"p!tant in eve$ p!secuti!n f! illeal sale !f dane!us ! p!hi4ited dus is the pesentati!n !f evidence !f the sei:ed du as the c!pusdelicti. The identit$ !f the p!hi4ited du "ust 4e p!ved 6ith "!al cetaint$. It "ust als! 4eesta4lished 6ith the sa"e deee !f cetitude that the su4stance 4!uht ! sei:ed duin the4u$-4ust !peati!n is the sa"e ite" !ffeed in c!ut as e>hi4it. In this ead, paaaph %,Secti!n '%, Aticle II !f R. A. N!. %5 0the chain !f cust!d$ ule1 p!vides f! safeuads f! thep!tecti!n !f the identit$ and inteit$ !f dane!us dus sei:ed, t! 6it7

SEC. '%. Cust!d$ and Disp!siti!n !f C!nfiscated, Sei:ed, and! Suendeed Dane!usDus, Plant S!uces !f Dane!us Dus, C!nt!lled Pecus!s and Essential Che"icals,Instu"entsPaaphenalia and! ?a4!at!$ EHuip"ent. G The PDEA shall ta9e chae andhave cust!d$ !f all dane!us dus, plant s!uces !f dane!us dus, c!nt!lled pecus!sand essential che"icals, as 6ell as instu"entspaaphenalia and! la4!at!$ eHuip"ent s!c!nfiscated, sei:ed and! suendeed, f! p!pe disp!siti!n in the f!ll!6in "anne7

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0%1 The appehendin tea" havin initial cust!d$ and c!nt!l !f the dus shall, i""ediatel$afte sei:ue and c!nfiscati!n, ph$sicall$ invent!$ and ph!t!aph the sa"e in the pesence !f the accused ! the pes!ns f!" 6h!" such ite"s 6ee c!nfiscated and! sei:ed, ! hishe epesentative ! c!unsel, a epesentative f!" the "edia and the Depat"ent !f #ustice0DO#1, and an$ elected pu4lic !fficial 6h! shall 4e eHuied t! sin the c!pies !f the invent!$and 4e iven a c!p$ thee!f.

*!6eve, this C!ut has, in "an$ cases, held that 6hile the chain !f cust!d$ sh!uld ideall$ 4epefect, in ealit$ it is al"!st al6a$s i"p!ssi4le t! !4tain an un4!9en chain. The "!sti"p!tant fact! is the pesevati!n !f the inteit$ and the evidentia$ value !f the sei:ed ite"sas the$ 6ill 4e used t! dete"ine the uilt ! inn!cence !f the accused. *ence, thep!secuti!ns failue t! su4"it in evidence the ph$sical invent!$ and ph!t!aph !f the sei:eddus as eHuied unde Aticle '% !f R. A. N!. %5, 6ill n!t ende the accuseds aest illeal! the ite"s sei:ed f!" hi" inad"issi4le.'%

The chain !f cust!d$ is n!t esta4lished s!lel$ 4$ c!"pliance 6ith the pesci4ed ph$sicalinvent!$ and ph!t!aphin !f the sei:ed dus in the pesence !f the enu"eated pes!ns.The I"ple"entin Rules and Reulati!ns !f R. A. N!. %5 !n the handlin and disp!siti!n !f

sei:ed dane!us dus states7

> > > P!vided, futhe, that n!n-c!"pliance 6ith these eHuie"ents unde 8ustifia4le !unds,as l!n as the inteit$ and evidentia$ value !f the sei:ed ite"s ae p!pel$ peseved 4$ theappehendin !fficetea", shall n!t ende v!id and invalid such sei:ues !f and cust!d$ !ve said ite"s.'' 0Italics, e"phasis, undesc!in !"itted1

In the case at 4a, afte the sale 6as c!nsu""ated, the c!nfidential inf!"ant ave the sei:edite" t! SPO+ ?a!t 6h! placed tape !n the sachet and "a9ed it E>hi4it A. ;p!n eachin thep!lice stati!n, SPO+ ?a!t e>ecuted the Cetificate !f Invent!$, as 6ell as the eHuest f! la4!at!$ e>a"inati!n. The eHuest, the speci"en, as 6ell as the "a9ed "!ne$ and accused-appellant 6ee then 4!uht t! the PNP Ci"e ?a4!at!$ f! e>a"inati!n. The$ 6ee eceived.4$ SPO' Ricad! 3ais!, the Receivin Cle9 !f the PNP Ci"e ?a4!at!$ Office, 6h! thenf!6aded the" t! P!lice Inspect! 3a. ?e!c$ #a4!nill! 3a-a4!, the F!ensic Che"ical Office !f the PNP Ci"e ?a4!at!$.'/ 3!e!ve, the sei:ed ite" 6as dul$ identified 4$ SPO+ ?a!t in!pen c!ut as the sa"e ite" sei:ed f!" accused-appellant.

Accused-appellants uilt havin 4een esta4lished, 6e li9e6ise affi" the penalt$ i"p!sed 4$the RTC and the CA. ;nde the la6, the !ffense !f illeal sale !f sha4u caies 6ith it thepenalt$ !f life i"pis!n"ent t! death and a fine anin f!" Five *unded Th!usand Pes!s0P5((,(((.((1 t! Ten 3illi!n Pes!s 0P%(,(((,(((.((1, eadless !f the Huantit$ and puit$ !f the su4stance.'+ Thus, the RTC and CA 6ee 6ithin 4!unds 6hen the$ i"p!sed the penalt$ !f life i"pis!n"ent and a fine !f Five *unded Th!usand Pes!s 0P5((,(((.((1.

*EREFORE, pe"ises c!nsideed, the pesent appeal is DIS3ISSED.

SO ORDERED.

JOSE PORT"GAL PERE+ Ass!ciate #ustice

E CONC;R7

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MARIA LO"RDES P.A. SERENOChief #usticeChaipes!n

TERESITA J. LEONARDO!DE CASTRO Ass!ciate #ustice

L"CAS P. #ERSAMIN Ass!ciate #ustice

ESTELA M. PERLAS!#ERNA#E Ass!ciate #ustice

C E R T I F I C A T I O N

Pusuant t! Secti!n %/, Aticle VIII !f the C!nstituti!n, I cetif$ that the c!nclusi!ns in the a4!veDecisi!n 6ee eached in c!nsultati!n 4ef!e the case 6as assined t! the 6ite !f the !pini!n!f the C!uts Divisi!n.

MARIA LO"RDES P.A. SERENO

Chief #ustice

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