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.
Child Custody in the Philippines: Who Gets Custody and How Courts Decide
Learn the rules for child custody in the Philippines, how courts decide who gets custody, and what factors matter most.
Unreasonable Searches Evidence Inadmissible When Police Exceed Warrant Scope
When police exceed a search warrant's scope and violate Section 21, seized evidence becomes inadmissible, potentially leading to case dismissal.
Illegal Arrests and the Ombudsman's Role: What the Somira Drug Case Teaches
A 2021 Supreme Court ruling clarifies buy-bust arrests, chain of custody, and why the Ombudsman matters in drug cases.
Chain of Custody and the Objective Test: Why Drug Convictions Fail
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused where the prosecution failed the objective test and chain of custody rules.
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.
Flaws in Drug Evidence Chain of Custody and Rights in Illegal Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits drug suspects when police fail to strictly follow Section 21 chain of custody rules under RA 9165.
Broken Chains: Why Strict Drug Evidence Procedures Protect the Accused
A Supreme Court ruling acquits a drug suspect because police failed to follow Section 21's chain of custody rules. Learn the legal standards.
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: When Missing Witnesses Mean Acquittal
A drug conviction was reversed because police failed to secure media and DOJ witnesses during inventory. Learn the chain of custody rules.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police failed to follow chain of custody rules under RA 9165, explaining why strict compliance matters.
Safeguarding Rights: The Importance of Witness Presence in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where no DOJ representative witnessed the inventory, stressing strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Key Witnesses Contradict Each Other in Drug Case
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after prosecution witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the buy-bust operation, undermining proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Every Link Matters After People v. Tumangong
The Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect because police broke chain of custody rules. Learn the four links and why compliance is critical.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why the Drug Itself Must Be Proven
Philippine Supreme Court acquits in drug sale case over broken chain of custody. Learn the strict rules on evidence integrity under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to justify missing witnesses during inventory, reinforcing strict chain of custody rules.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Strict Compliance Is Required for Valid Convictions
The Supreme Court explains why strict adherence to Section 21 chain of custody rules is essential for valid drug convictions.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Lapses Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police breached chain of custody rules under RA 9165, stressing evidence integrity.
Chain of Custody Breaches Lead to Acquittal in Drug Cases: People v. Lim Ching
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police breached chain of custody rules under Section 21, RA 9165, safeguarding the accused's right to proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Chain of Custody in Drug Sale Cases: Lessons from Belmonte v. People
The Supreme Court upholds a drug sale conviction, clarifying that minor deviations from Section 21's chain of custody rules are not fatal when integrity is preserved.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Custody Protocols
When police break drug custody rules, the accused may walk free. The Supreme Court explains why procedure protects everyone.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: Warrantless Arrests and Chain of Custody Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when warrantless arrests are valid and how chain of custody rules apply in drug paraphernalia cases under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Unmarked Evidence Means Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to mark seized sachets, breaking the chain of custody and casting doubt on the evidence.
Upholding Drug Conviction: Chain of Custody and Presumption of Regularity
Philippine Supreme Court affirms drug sale conviction, explaining chain of custody rules and presumption of regularity in police work under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Lead to Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that police non-compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 chain of custody rules can defeat drug prosecutions.