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.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: The Supreme Court’s Stand on Prosecution Consent
A guilty plea to a lesser drug offense needs the prosecutor’s consent. Learn the rules and what the Court said in People v. Reafor.
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.
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.
Integrity of Evidence and Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police fail to follow Section 21 of RA 9165, protecting the accused's rights and evidence integrity.
Chain of Custody Gaps Lead to Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspects due to broken chain of custody and Section 21 non-compliance, underscoring strict evidentiary rules.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Protecting Individual Rights
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to follow Section 21's witness and inventory rules, protecting the accused's rights.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police fail to justify non-compliance with Section 21's chain of custody rule.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: The Three-Witness Rule and Chain of Custody
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over broken chain of custody and missing witnesses—explaining Section 21, RA 9165 requirements.
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.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence
The Supreme Court explains when lapses in the chain of custody rule may be excused in drug cases, and why objections must be raised at trial.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Lapses Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, explaining the strict rules police must follow under RA 9165.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: The Need for Clear Identification of Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in drug cases, the identity of the seized item must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not just presumed.
Navigating the Chain: Establishing Drug Possession and Extortion Defenses in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts weigh buy-bust evidence, chain of custody, and the disfavored defense of extortion in drug cases.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: Key Lessons from a Drug Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling on a buy-bust operation clarifies the rules on warrantless arrests, chain of custody, and the defenses of denial and frame-up.
Chain of Custody and Drug Evidence Admissibility in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody—explaining marking, inventory, and photo requirements under RA 9165.
Dangerous Drugs Act: Why Broken Chain of Custody Leads to Acquittal
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over broken chain of custody, stressing strict compliance with RA 9165 safeguards.
Dispensing With the Confidential Informant: Upholding Buy-Bust Operations in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a confidential informant's testimony is not indispensable in drug cases when police officers personally witness the illegal sale.
Chain of Custody in Drug Sale Convictions: What People v. Aneslag Teaches
The Supreme Court explains why preserving the integrity of seized drugs matters more than strict procedural compliance in drug cases.
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 Drug Convictions: Integrity of Evidence Over Procedural Lapses
The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction, ruling that minor procedural lapses in Section 21 compliance do not automatically invalidate seized evidence.
Entrapment vs Instigation: Defining the Boundaries in Drug Sale Convictions
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between valid entrapment and unlawful instigation in drug cases, affirming a buy-bust conviction.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Broken Links Mean Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody, underscoring the strict rule on preserving evidence integrity.
Entrapment vs Instigation: When Buy-Bust Operations Are Valid in Philippine Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains the difference between valid entrapment and unlawful instigation in buy-bust operations, using Cruz v. People.