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.
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Drug Sale and Use Convictions Upheld Under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for illegal sale and use of marijuana, clarifying key rules under RA 9165 on buy-bust operations and drug testing.
Hot Pursuit Arrests: When Is a Warrant Required in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the limits of warrantless hot pursuit arrests and the chain of custody rule for seized drugs.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence From Seizure to Trial
The Supreme Court explains when minor deviations in the chain of custody rule for seized drugs are excused, using a 2022 cocaine case.
Guilt Beyond Doubt: Conspiracy and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions, explaining conspiracy, possession, and chain of custody under RA 9165.
Constructive Possession Knowledge AND Control IN Drug Offenses
The Supreme Court explains when a passenger in a car carrying drugs can be convicted of constructive possession under RA 9165.
The Prosecutor's Consent in Plea Bargaining: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a prosecutor's consent is indispensable for a valid plea bargain in drugs cases.
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.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Safeguarding Evidence Matters
The Supreme Court explains why strict compliance with the chain of custody rule is essential to preserve the integrity of seized drugs in every prosecution under RA 9165.
Matibag v. Dangerous Drugs Board: CES Eligibility and Security of Tenure Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that Career Service Executive Eligibility (CSEE) alone does not guarantee security of tenure in CES positions.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Lessons from People v. Sebilleno
The Supreme Court acquitted Gilbert Sebilleno after finding serious gaps in the chain of custody of the seized drugs, reaffirming strict compliance with Section 21 of R.A. 9165.
Transporting Illegal Drugs: The Reach of the Law Extends Beyond the Destination
The Supreme Court clarifies that transporting illegal drugs is a crime even if the destination is never reached.
Upholding Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Delayed Inventory Does Not Acquit
The Supreme Court clarifies that marking and inventory of seized drugs may be done at the police station, not the arrest site.
Safeguarding Rights: The Peril of Shortcuts in Drug Cases and the Importance of Due Process
In People v. Sumilip, the Supreme Court acquitted an accused after police failed to follow the strict chain of custody rules under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
When Drug Evidence Handling Holds Up: Lessons From a Shabu Possession Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling shows how proper chain of custody over seized drugs can defeat an acquittal bid in Philippine drug cases.
Buy-Bust Operations and the Chain of Custody Rule in Philippine Drug Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a warrantless arrest in a buy-bust operation is legal and how the chain of custody of seized drugs must be preserved.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Strict Chain of Custody in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over police lapses in chain of custody, reaffirming strict compliance with the rules on seized drugs.
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.
Compromised Evidence Safeguarding Drug Chain OF Custody IN Philippine LAW
When police break the chain of custody for seized drugs, the accused may be acquitted. Learn the rules from a 2019 Supreme Court ruling.
Safeguarding Drug Evidence Strict Compliance With Chain OF Custody Rules
When a warrantless arrest is invalid, seized drugs become inadmissible — explaining the Dominguez ruling on plain view and chain of custody.
Navigating the Chain: Ensuring Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when marking drugs at the police station instead of the arrest site still satisfies the chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Ensuring Drug Integrity: Upholding Chain of Custody in Illegal Possession Cases
The Supreme Court explains when marking drugs at the police station instead of the arrest site still satisfies the chain of custody rule.
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.
Upholding Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring the Integrity of Evidence
The Supreme Court affirmed a conviction for illegal sale and possession of marijuana, ruling that the chain of custody over seized drugs was unbroken despite the accused's objections.
Illegal Sale of Dangerous Drugs: Conviction Upheld in Buy-Bust Operation
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for illegal sale of shabu, explaining the elements of the crime and the chain of custody rule under RA 9165.