Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Airport Frisking and Drug Transportation: Upholding Convictions on Reasonable Searches and Chain of Custody
The Supreme Court affirms a drug transport conviction, ruling airport frisking is a valid search and the chain of custody of seized shabu was unbroken.
Dismissal for Drug Use Upholding Integrity in the Judiciary
Supreme Court dismisses court employee for shabu use, ruling it grave misconduct that tarnishes the Judiciary's image and integrity.
Buy-Bust Operations, Warrantless Arrests, and Preserving Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court upholds a shabu conviction, clarifying rules on buy-bust operations, warrantless arrests, and the chain of custody of seized drugs.
Broken Chain of Custody Leads to Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect when police fail to document custody of seized shabu, stressing strict compliance with RA 9165.
Challenging Drug Convictions: How Chain of Custody Affects Illegal Possession Cases
The Supreme Court explains when lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs can—and cannot—overturn a conviction for illegal possession of shabu.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police fail to prove every link in the chain of custody of seized shabu.
Reasonable Doubt in Illegal Drug Possession: The Chain of Custody Rule Under Philippine Law
Why the Supreme Court acquitted two accused in a shabu possession case due to a broken chain of custody, and what this means for drug cases.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs and the Credibility of Testimony
In People v. Maraorao, the Supreme Court acquitted an accused after finding a glaring inconsistency in the arresting officer's testimony on who held the bag of shabu.
Attempted Sale of Shabu: When Showing Drugs to a Buyer Is a Crime
A buy-bust operation gone wrong still leads to conviction for attempted sale of drugs under RA 9165. This case explains why.
Chain of Custody Is Key: How Police Inconsistencies Can Lead to Acquittal in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police officers gave irreconcilable testimonies and failed to preserve the chain of custody of seized shabu.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How Improper Handling Leads to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to properly mark, inventory, and document seized shabu, underscoring the importance of chain of custody.
Gaps in Chain of Custody Acquit Accused in Shabu Possession Case
SC reverses a drug conviction where police gaps in marking, inventory, and custody of seized shabu cast doubt on the corpus delicti.
Illegal Sale of Shabu: Credible Testimony and the Chain of Custody Rule
The Supreme Court affirms a shabu conviction, explaining how credible witness testimony and preserved evidence outweigh lapses in the chain of custody.
Upholding a Drug Conviction: Chain of Custody and Informant Testimony in Gonzaga
The Supreme Court affirmed a shabu sale conviction, ruling that informant non-presentation, minor witness inconsistencies, and custody lapses do not defeat a solid buy-bust case.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Non-Compliance with Section 21 RA 9165 Warrants Acquittal
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where prosecution failed to prove integrity of seized shabu, emphasizing chain of custody under Section 21, RA 9165.
Stop and Frisk in the Philippines: When Suspicion Justifies a Warrantless Search
The Supreme Court explains when a stop-and-frisk search is valid, the limits of police suspicion, and the penalty for possessing small amounts of shabu.
Buy-Bust Operations: When Warrantless Arrests and Seized Drugs Are Valid in Drug Cases
A look at when buy-bust arrests are lawful, when seized drugs are admissible, and the penalties for illegal sale and possession of shabu.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why the Prosecution Must Prove the Seized Drugs' Integrity
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because the prosecution failed to prove the chain of custody of seized shabu, explaining the strict evidentiary rule.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Broken Seals Can Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because the prosecution failed to prove the chain of custody of seized shabu. Learn the rule.
Valid Warrantless Arrest Upholding Drug Conviction Based on In Flagrante Delicto
Supreme Court affirms drug conviction, ruling warrantless arrest valid when suspect caught in flagrante delicto exchanging shabu.
Buy-Bust Operations and the Chain of Custody: Safeguarding Drug Evidence in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police failed to establish the chain of custody of seized shabu, underscoring strict evidence rules.
Acquittal in Drug Case: Why Broken Chain of Custody Fatal to Prosecution
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police failed to inventory, photograph, and preserve seized shabu, breaking the chain of custody.
Safeguarding the Chain of Custody in Drug Offenses: People v. Peralta
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after the prosecution failed to prove the chain of custody of seized shabu, underscoring the need to preserve evidence integrity.
Navigating Drug Possession Laws: Evidence and Credibility in Shabu Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on drug possession explains why minor witness inconsistencies and the defense of frame-up often fail against credible police testimony.