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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Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Do Not Break the Evidence
The Supreme Court explains when minor lapses in Section 21 procedures do not break the chain of custody in drug cases.
The Vital Chain Ensuring Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts treat lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs, explained through People v. Yable.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Evidence Integrity in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the chain of custody rule under RA 9165 and when minor deviations do not break the prosecution's case.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: What Drug Cases Require
The Supreme Court clarifies what makes buy-bust operations legal and how chain of custody rules apply in drug cases under RA 9165.
Judge Fined for Gross Misconduct Over Misuse of Seized Firearm Evidence
Supreme Court holds judge liable for gross misconduct for taking custody of a seized firearm and allowing his bodyguard to possess it.
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.
Upholding Conviction In Drug Sale Ensuring Chain OF Custody IN Evidence Handling
A drug sale conviction reversed because broken chain of custody cast doubt on the identity of seized shabu.
Chain of Custody and Reasonable Doubt: Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity
Why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect when police broke the chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Marking Seized Items Immediately and in the Accused's Presence
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police failed to mark seized shabu immediately and in her presence, breaking the chain of custody.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court's chain of custody rule protects accused persons from planted evidence in Philippine drug cases.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Marking Seized Items Immediately Matters
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possessor due to broken chain of custody, emphasizing the critical importance of immediate marking of seized items.
Buy-Bust Operations: Warrantless Arrests and the Chain of Custody Rule in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to preserve the chain of custody, explaining the rules on buy-bust operations and evidence.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Integrity of Evidence Matters for Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over police failure to follow Section 21, RA 9165 chain of custody rules.
Common Carriers vs Arrastre Operators: Who Bears Liability for Cargo Damage?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a common carrier's custody of cargo ends and an arrastre operator's begins, and when customs brokers become common carriers.
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.
Forum Shopping and Protection Orders: Avoiding Conflicting Rulings in Custody Disputes
When a mother filed for a protection order in another court while a custody case was pending, the Supreme Court clarified the limits of forum shopping.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials
The Supreme Court clarifies that minor lapses in drug evidence handling do not automatically invalidate a conviction if the chain of custody remains intact.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Protecting Rights and Ensuring Justice
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, underscoring the need to protect accused rights.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict chain of custody rules for drug evidence under RA 9165, requiring police compliance and integrity preservation.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Preserving Evidence Integrity Under RA 9165
The Supreme Court explains the chain of custody rule in drug cases and why minor procedural lapses do not automatically acquit an accused.
Reasonable Doubt: When Inconsistent Police Testimony Overturns a Drug Sale Conviction
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police witnesses gave conflicting accounts of a buy-bust operation, breaking the chain of custody.
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.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: Protecting Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court upholds a drug conviction, clarifying buy-bust validity, chain of custody rules, and evidentiary standards under RA 9165.
Challenging Drug Convictions: Chain of Custody and Police Coordination Under RA 9165
How the Supreme Court treats chain of custody and police coordination in drug cases, and what this means for challenging convictions.