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.
Chain of Custody and the Saving Clause in Philippine Drug Cases
When a flawed drug bust still stands: the saving clause under Section 21, RA 9165, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Broken Link Leads to Acquittal
When police skip the required on-site inventory without justification, the chain of custody breaks and drug convictions may be overturned.
Chain of Custody Breaks Lead to Acquittal in Election Weapon Ban Case
Supreme Court acquits accused in election weapons ban case due to broken chain of custody over seized folding knife.
Understanding the One-Specific-Offense Rule for Search Warrants in Philippine Drug Cases
A defective search warrant covering multiple offenses voids seizures, even if the accused waives objections to arrest.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Guide to Ensuring Evidence Integrity
Learn how Philippine courts apply the chain of custody rule in drug cases, using People v. Somira as a guide.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Chain of Custody
A buy-bust conviction reversed because police failed the chain of custody rule under RA 9165. Learn the required links and witnesses.
Proper Search Procedures in Drug Possession Cases: Insights from Quilet v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession convict due to irregular strip search, flawed marking, and missing witnesses under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Broken Links Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody. Learn the four links and insulating witness rules under RA 9165.
Understanding Drug Transportation and Chain of Custody Rules From a Landmark Philippine Case
A Supreme Court ruling on a buy-bust case clarifies when lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs can lead to acquittal.
Illegal Drug Sales in the Philippines: When Is the Transaction Complete?
The Supreme Court clarifies what completes an illegal drug sale under RA 9165, a key ruling for buy-bust operations and criminal defense.
The Chain of Custody Rule in Drug Cases: Why Insulating Witnesses Matter
A look at People v. Flores, where the Supreme Court acquitted an accused due to a broken chain of custody under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Chain of Custody and Reasonable Doubt: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits two accused in a drug case due to the police's failure to comply with Section 21 of RA 9165, emphasizing the importance of the chain of custody rule.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, reinforcing the rule that preserves evidence integrity.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Chain of Custody
The Supreme Court acquits an inmate in a drug possession case, stressing the mandatory witness requirements in the chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Strict Compliance with Chain of Custody Rules in Drug Cases: People v. Acub
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to strictly comply with Section 21, RA 9165, on chain of custody.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases and the Right to Bail: Key Lessons from People v. Tanes
The Supreme Court explains how lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs can weaken evidence of guilt and support an accused's right to bail.
Chain of Custody Breaks Lead to Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Learn how procedural lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs led to an acquittal in a Philippine drug case.
Safeguarding Rights: The Importance of Witness Presence in Drug Cases
Explore why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect due to missing required witnesses during inventory, highlighting crucial procedural safeguards.
Presumption of Regularity vs Presumption of Innocence in Drug Cases: A Safeguard for the Accused
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, ruling that procedural lapses in buy-bust operations defeat the presumption of regularity and uphold the presumption of innocence.
Chain of Custody Gaps Lead to Acquittal in Drug Case: People v. Guanzon
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to prove an unbroken chain of custody, stressing strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Challenging Drug Convictions: The Importance of Chain of Custody in Illegal Possession Cases
A Supreme Court ruling shows how broken chain of custody and flawed inventory can lead to acquittal in drug possession cases.
Chain of Custody Breach Leads to Acquittal in Drug Case: People v. Crispo
Explore how the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect due to unjustified lapses in the chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Compromised Evidence Safeguarding Drug Integrity IN Anti Drug Operations
When police fumble the chain of custody, drug convictions fail. A 2018 Supreme Court ruling shows why procedure matters.
When Evidence Is Tainted: Marking Seized Drugs and the Chain of Custody Rule
A Supreme Court ruling explains why failing to mark seized drugs immediately can break the chain of custody and lead to acquittal.