People v. Lim
People v. Lim
DECISION
PERALTA , J : p
On appeal is the February 23, 2017 Decision 1 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-
G.R. CR HC No. 01280-MIN, which a rmed the September 24, 2013 Decision 2 of
Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 25, Cagayan de Oro City, in Criminal Case Nos. 2010-
1073 and 2010-1074, nding accused-appellant Romy Lim y Miranda (Lim) guilty of
violating Sections 11 and 5, respectively, of Article II of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165, or
the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 . HEITAD
In an Information dated October 21, 2010, Lim was charged with illegal
possession of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (shabu), committed as follows:
That on or about October 19, 2010, at more or less 10:00 o'clock in the
evening, at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this
Honorable Court, the above-named accused, without being authorized by law to
possess or use any dangerous drugs, did then and there, willfully, unlawfully,
criminally and knowingly have in his possession, custody and control one (1)
heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing Methamphetamine
hydrochloride, locally known as Shabu, a dangerous drug, with a total weight of
0.02 gram, accused well-knowing that the substance recovered from his
possession is a dangerous drug.
Contrary to, and in violation of, Section 11, Article II of Republic Act No.
9165. 3
On even date, Lim, together with his stepson, Eldie Gorres y Nave (Gorres), was
also indicted for illegal sale of shabu, committed as follows:
That on or about October 19, 2010, at more or less 10:00 o'clock in the
evening, at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this
Honorable Court, the above-named accused, conspiring, confederating together
and mutually helping one another, without being authorized by law to sell, trade,
administer, dispense, deliver, give away to another, distribute, dispatch in transit
or transport any dangerous drugs, did then and there willfully, unlawfully,
criminally and knowingly sell and/or offer for sale, and give away to a PDEA
Agent acting as poseur-buyer One (1) heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet
containing Methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as Shabu, a
dangerous drug, with a total weight of 0.02 gram, accused knowing the same to
be a dangerous drug, in consideration of Five Hundred Pesos (Php500.00)
consisting of one piece ve hundred peso bill, with Serial No. FZ386932, which
was previously marked and recorded for the purpose of the buy-bust operation.
Contrary to Section 5, Paragraph 1, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165. 4
In their arraignment, Lim and Gorres pleaded not guilty. 5 They were detained in
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the city jail during the joint trial of the cases. 6
The prosecution presented Intelligence O cer (IO) 1 Albert Orellan, IO1 Nestle
Carin, IO2 Vincent Orcales, and Police Senior Inspector (PSI) Charity Caceres. Aside
from both accused, Rubenia Gorres testified for the defense.
Around 8:00 p.m. on October 19, 2010, IO1 Orellan and his teammates were at
Regional Office X of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Based on a report
of a con dential informant (CI) that a certain "Romy" has been engaged in the sale of
prohibited drugs in Zone 7, Cabina, Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City, they were directed by
their Regional Director, Lt. Col. Edwin Layese, to gather for a buy-bust operation. During
the brie ng, IO2 Orcales, IO1 Orellan, and IO1 Carin were assigned as the team leader,
the arresting o cer/back-up/evidence custodian, and the poseur-buyer, respectively.
The team prepared a P500.00 bill as buy-bust money (with its serial number entered in
the PDEA blotter), the Coordination Form for the nearest police station, and other
related documents.
Using their service vehicle, the team left the regional o ce about 15 minutes
before 10:00 p.m. and arrived in the target area at 10:00 p.m., more or less. IO1 Carin
and the CI alighted from the vehicle near the corner leading to the house of "Romy,"
while IO1 Orellan and the other team members disembarked a few meters after and
positioned themselves in the area to observe. IO1 Carin and the CI turned at the corner
and stopped in front of a house. The CI knocked at the door and uttered, "ayo, nong
Romy." Gorres came out and invited them to enter. Inside, Lim was sitting on the sofa
while watching the television. When the CI introduced IO1 Carin as a shabu buyer, Lim
nodded and told Gorres to get one inside the bedroom. Gorres stood up and did as
instructed. After he came out, he handed a small medicine box to Lim, who then took
one piece of heat-sealed transparent plastic of shabu and gave it to IO1 Carin. In turn,
IO1 Carin paid him with the buy-bust money.
After examining the plastic sachet, IO1 Carin executed a missed call to IO1
Orellan, which was the pre-arranged signal. The latter, with the rest of the team
members, immediately rushed to Lim's house. When they arrived, IO1 Carin and the CI
were standing near the door. They then entered the house because the gate was
opened. IO1 Orellan declared that they were PDEA agents and informed Lim and
Gorres, who were visibly surprised, of their arrest for selling dangerous drug. They were
ordered to put their hands on their heads and to squat on the oor. IO1 Orellan recited
the Miranda rights to them. Thereafter, IO1 Orellan conducted a body search on both.
When he frisked Lim, no deadly weapon was found, but something was bulging in his
pocket. IO1 Orellan ordered him to pull it out. Inside the pocket were the buy-bust
money and a transparent rectangular plastic box about 3x4 inches in size. They could
see that it contained a plastic sachet of a white substance. As for Gorres, no weapon or
illegal drug was seized. ATICcS
IO1 Orellan took into custody the P500.00 bill, the plastic box with the plastic
sachet of white substance, and a disposable lighter. IO1 Carin turned over to him the
plastic sachet that she bought from Lim. While in the house, IO1 Orellan marked the two
plastic sachets. Despite exerting efforts to secure the attendance of the representative
from the media and barangay officials, nobody arrived to witness the inventory-taking.
The buy-bust team brought Lim and Gorres to the PDEA Regional O ce, with IO1
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Orellan in possession of the seized items. Upon arrival, they "booked" the two accused
and prepared the letters requesting for the laboratory examination on the drug evidence
and for the drug test on the arrested suspects as well as the documents for the ling of
the case. Likewise, IO1 Orellan made the Inventory Receipt of the con scated items. It
was not signed by Lim and Gorres. Also, there was no signature of an elected public
o cial and the representatives of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the media as
witnesses. Pictures of both accused and the evidence seized were taken.
The day after, IO1 Orellan and IO1 Carin delivered both accused and the drug
specimens to Regional Crime Laboratory O ce 10. IO1 Orellan was in possession of
the sachets of shabu from the regional o ce to the crime lab. PSI Caceres, who was a
Forensic Chemist, and Police O cer 2 (PO2) Bajas 7 personally received the letter-
requests and the two pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white
crystalline substance. PSI Caceres got urine samples from Lim and Gorres and
conducted screening and con rmatory tests on them. Based on her examination, only
Lim was found positive for the presence of shabu. The result was shown in Chemistry
Report No. DTCRIM-196 and 197-2010. With respect to the two sachets of white
crystalline substance, both were found to be positive of shabu after a chromatographic
examination was conducted by PSI Caceres. Her ndings were re ected in Chemistry
Report No. D-228-2010. PSI Caceres, likewise, put her own marking on the cellophane
containing the two sachets of shabu. After that, she gave them to the evidence
custodian. As to the buy-bust money, the arresting team turned it over to the scal's
office during the inquest.
Around 10:00 p.m. on October 19, 2010, Lim and Gorres were in their house in
Cabina, Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City. Lim was sleeping in the bedroom, while Gorres
was watching the television. When the latter heard that somebody jumped over their
gate, he stood up to verify. Before he could reach the door, however, it was already
forced opened by the repeated pulling and kicking of men in civilian clothing. They
entered the house, pointed their rearms at him, instructed him to keep still, boxed his
chest, slapped his ears, and handcuffed him. They inquired on where the shabu was, but
he invoked his innocence. When they asked the whereabouts of "Romy," he answered
that he was sleeping inside the bedroom. So the men went there and kicked the door
open. Lim was then surprised as a gun was pointed at his head. He questioned them on
what was it all about, but he was told to keep quiet. The men let him and Gorres sit on a
bench. Lim was apprised of his Miranda rights. Thereafter, the two were brought to the
PDEA Regional O ce and the crime laboratory. During the inquest proceedings, Lim
admitted, albeit without the assistance of a counsel, ownership of the two sachets of
shabu because he was afraid that the police would imprison him. Like Gorres, he was
not involved in drugs at the time of his arrest. Unlike him, however, he was previously
arrested by the PDEA agents but was acquitted in the case. Both Lim and Gorres
acknowledged that they did not have any quarrel with the PDEA agents and that neither
do they have grudges against them or vice-versa.
Rubenia, Lim's live-in partner and the mother of Gorres, was at her sister's house
in Pita, Pasil, Kauswagan the night when the arrests were made. The following day, she
returned home and noticed that the door was opened and its lock was destroyed. She
took pictures of the damage and offered the same as exhibits for the defense, which
the court admitted as part of her testimony.
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RTC Ruling
After trial, the RTC handed a guilty verdict on Lim for illegal possession and sale
o f shabu and acquitted Gorres for lack of su cient evidence linking him as a
conspirator. The fallo of the September 24, 2013 Decision states:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, this Court finds that:
1. In Criminal Case No. 2010-1073, accused ROMY LIM y MIRANDA is
hereby found GUILTY of violating Section 11, Article II of R.A. 9 165 and is
hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve
[12] years and one [1] day to thirteen [13] years, and to pay a Fine in the amount
of Three Hundred Thousand Pesos [P300,000.00] without subsidiary
imprisonment in case of non-payment of Fine;
2. In Criminal Case No. 2010-1074, accused ROMY LIM y MIRANDA is
hereby found GUILTY of violating Section 5, Article II of R.A. 9 165, and is hereby
sentenced to suffer the penalty of LIFE IMPRISONMENT and to pay the Fine in
the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos [P500,000.00].
3. In Criminal Case No. 2010-1074, accused ELDIE GORRES y NAVE is
hereby ACQUITTED of the offense charged for failure of the prosecution to
prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The Warden of the BJMP having
custody of ELDIE GORRES y Nave, is hereby directed to immediately release him
from detention unless he is being charged of other crimes which will justify his
continued incarceration. 8
With regard to the illegal possession of a sachet of shabu, the RTC held that the
weight of evidence favors the positive testimony of IO1 Orellan over the feeble and
uncorroborated denial of Lim. As to the sale of shabu, it ruled that the prosecution was
able to establish the identity of the buyer, the seller, the money paid to the seller, and
the delivery of the shabu. The testimony of IO1 Carin was viewed as simple,
straightforward and without any hesitation or prevarication as she detailed in a credible
manner the buy-bust transaction that occurred. Between the two con icting versions
that are poles apart, the RTC found the prosecution evidence worthy of credence and
no reason to disbelieve in the absence of an iota of malice, ill-will, revenge or
resentment preceding and pervading the arrest of Lim. On the chain of custody of
evidence, it was accepted with moral certainty that the PDEA operatives were able to
preserve the integrity and probative value of the seized items. TIADCc
In so far as Gorres is concerned, the RTC opined that the evidence presented
were not strong enough to support the claim that there was conspiracy between him
and Lim because it was insu ciently shown that he knew what the box contained. It
also noted Chemistry Report No. DTCRIM 196 & 197-2010, which indicated that Gorres
was "NEGATIVE" of the presence of any illicit drug based on his urine sample.
CA Ruling
On appeal, the CA a rmed the RTC Decision. It agreed with the nding of the trial
court that the prosecution adequately established all the elements of illegal sale of a
dangerous drug as the collective evidence presented during the trial showed that a
valid buy-bust operation was conducted. Likewise, all the elements of illegal
possession of a dangerous drug was proven. Lim resorted to denial and could not
present any proof or justi cation that he was fully authorized by law to possess the
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same. The CA was unconvinced with his contention that the prosecution failed to prove
the identity and integrity of the seized prohibited drugs. For the appellate court, it was
able to demonstrate that the integrity and evidentiary value of the con scated drugs
were not compromised. The witnesses for the prosecution were able to testify on every
link in the chain of custody, establishing the crucial link in the chain from the time the
seized items were rst discovered until they were brought for examination and offered
in evidence in court. Anent Lim's defense of denial and frame-up, the CA did not
appreciate the same due to lack of clear and convincing evidence that the police
o cers were inspired by an improper motive. Instead, the presumption of regularity in
the performance of official duty was applied.
Before Us, both Lim and the People manifested that they would no longer le a
Supplemental Brief, taking into account the thorough and substantial discussions of the
issues in their respective appeal briefs before the CA. 9 Essentially, Lim maintains that
the case records are bereft of evidence showing that the buy-bust team followed the
procedure mandated in Section 21 (1), Article II of R.A. No. 9165.
Our Ruling
The judgment of conviction is reversed and set aside, and Lim should be
acquitted based on reasonable doubt.
At the time of the commission of the crimes, the law applicable is R.A. No. 9165.
10Section 1 (b) of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002, which
implements the law, defines chain of custody as —
the duly recorded authorized movements and custody of seized drugs or
controlled chemicals or plant sources of dangerous drugs or laboratory
equipment of each stage, from the time of seizure/con scation to receipt in the
forensic laboratory to safekeeping to presentation in court for destruction. Such
record of movements and custody of seized item shall include the identity and
signature of the person who held temporary custody of the seized item, the date
and time when such transfer of custody were made in the course of safekeeping
and use in court as evidence, and the final disposition. 1 1
The chain of custody rule is but a variation of the principle that real evidence
must be authenticated prior to its admission into evidence. 1 2 To establish a chain of
custody su cient to make evidence admissible, the proponent needs only to prove a
rational basis from which to conclude that the evidence is what the party claims it to
be. 1 3 In other words, in a criminal case, the prosecution must offer su cient evidence
from which the trier of fact could reasonably believe that an item still is what the
government claims it to be. 1 4 Speci cally in the prosecution of illegal drugs, the well-
established federal evidentiary rule in the United States is that when the evidence is not
readily identi able and is susceptible to alteration by tampering or contamination,
courts require a more stringent foundation entailing a chain of custody of the item with
su cient completeness to render it improbable that the original item has either
been exchanged with another or been contaminated or tampered with. 1 5 This was
adopted in Mallillin v. People , 1 6 where this Court also discussed how, ideally, the chain
of custody of seized items should be established:
As a method of authenticating evidence, the chain of custody rule
requires that the admission of an exhibit be preceded by evidence su cient to
support a nding that the matter in question is what the proponent claims it to
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be. It would include testimony about every link in the chain, from the moment
the item was picked up to the time it is offered into evidence, in such a way that
every person who touched the exhibit would describe how and from whom it
was received, where it was and what happened to it while in the witness'
possession, the condition in which it was received and the condition in which it
was delivered to the next link in the chain. These witnesses would then describe
the precautions taken to ensure that there had been no change in the condition
of the item and no opportunity for someone not in the chain to have possession
of the same. 1 7 AIDSTE
Thus, the links in the chain of custody that must be established are: (1) the
seizure and marking, if practicable, of the illegal drug recovered from the accused by
the apprehending o cer; (2) the turnover of the seized illegal drug by the apprehending
o cer to the investigating o cer; (3) the turnover of the illegal drug by the
investigating o cer to the forensic chemist for laboratory examination; and (4) the
turnover and submission of the illegal drug from the forensic chemist to the court. 1 8
Seizure and marking of the illegal
drug as well as the turnover by the
apprehending officer to the
investigating officer
Similarly, Senator Vicente C. Sotto III manifested that in view of the substantial
number of acquittals in drug-related cases due to the varying interpretations of the
prosecutors and the judges on Section 21 of R.A. No. 9165, there is a need for "certain
adjustments so that we can plug the loopholes in our existing law" and "ensure [its]
standard implementation." 2 4 In his Co-sponsorship Speech, he noted:
Numerous drug tra cking activities can be traced to operations of highly
organized and powerful local and international syndicates. The presence of
such syndicates that have the resources and the capability to mount a counter-
assault to apprehending law enforcers makes the requirement of Section 21 (a)
impracticable for law enforcers to comply with. It makes the place of seizure
extremely unsafe for the proper inventory and photograph of seized illegal
drugs.
xxx xxx xxx
Section 21(a) of RA 9165 needs to be amended to address the foregoing
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situation. We did not realize this in 2002 where the safety of the law enforcers
and other persons required to be present in the inventory and photography of
seized illegal drugs and the preservation of the very existence of seized illegal
drugs itself are threatened by an immediate retaliatory action of drug syndicates
at the place of seizure. The place where the seized drugs may be inventoried
and photographed has to include a location where the seized drugs as well as
the persons who are required to be present during the inventory and photograph
are safe and secure from extreme danger.
It is proposed that the physical inventory and taking of photographs of
seized illegal drugs be allowed to be conducted either in the place of seizure or
at the nearest police station or o ce of the apprehending law enforcers. The
proposal will provide effective measures to ensure the integrity of seized illegal
drugs since a safe location makes it more probable for an inventory and
photograph of seized illegal drugs to be properly conducted, thereby reducing
the incidents of dismissal of drug cases due to technicalities.
Non-observance of the prescribed procedures should not automatically
mean that the seizure or con scation is invalid or illegal, as long as the law
enforement o cers could justify the same and could prove that the integrity
and the evidentiary value of the seized items are not tainted. This is the effect of
the inclusion in the proposal to amend the phrase "justi able grounds." There
are instances wherein there are no media people or representatives from the
DOJ available and the absence of these witnesses should not automatically
invalidate the drug operation conducted. Even the presence of a public local
elected o cial also is sometimes impossible especially if the elected o cial is
afraid or scared. 2 5
We have held that the immediate physical inventory and photograph of the
con scated items at the place of arrest may be excused in instances when the safety
and security of the apprehending o cers and the witnesses required by law or of the
items seized are threatened by immediate or extreme danger such as retaliatory action
of those who have the resources and capability to mount a counter-assault. 2 6 The
present case is not one of those.
Here, IO1 Orellan took into custody the P500.00 bill, the plastic box with the
plastic sachet of white substance, and a disposable lighter. IO1 Carin also turned over
to him the plastic sachet that she bought from Lim. While in the house, IO1 Orellan
marked the two plastic sachets. IO1 Orellan testi ed that he immediately conducted
the marking and physical inventory of the two sachets of shabu. 2 7 To ensure that they
were not interchanged, he separately marked the item sold by Lim to IO1 Carin and the
one that he recovered from his possession upon body search as BB AEO 10-19-10 and
AEO-RI 10-19-10, respectively, with both bearing his initial/signature. 2 8
Evident, however, is the absence of an elected public o cial and representatives
of the DOJ and the media to witness the physical inventory and photograph of the
seized items. 2 9 In fact, their signatures do not appear in the Inventory Receipt.
The Court stressed in People v. Vicente Sipin y De Castro: 3 0
The prosecution bears the burden of proving a valid cause for non-
compliance with the procedure laid down in Section 21 of R.A. No. 9165, as
amended. It has the positive duty to demonstrate observance thereto in such a
way that during the trial proceedings, it must initiate in acknowledging and
justifying any perceived deviations from the requirements of law. Its failure to
follow the mandated procedure must be adequately explained, and must be
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proven as a fact in accordance with the rules on evidence. It should take note
that the rules require that the apprehending o cers do not simply mention a
justi able ground, but also clearly state this ground in their sworn a davit,
coupled with a statement on the steps they took to preserve the integrity of the
seized items. Strict adherence to Section 21 is required where the quantity of
illegal drugs seized is miniscule, since it is highly susceptible to planting,
tampering or alteration of evidence. 3 1
EcTCAD
It must be alleged and proved that the presence of the three witnesses to the
physical inventory and photograph of the illegal drug seized was not obtained due to
reason/s such as:
(1) their attendance was impossible because the place of arrest was a
remote area ; (2) their safety during the inventory and photograph of
the seized drugs was threatened by an immediate retaliatory action of
the accused or any person/s acting for and in his/her behalf ; (3) the
elected o cial themselves were involved in the punishable acts
sought to be apprehended ; (4) earnest efforts to secure the presence of
a DOJ or media representative and an elected public o cial within
the period required under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code prove
futile through no fault of the arresting o cers, who face the threat of
being charged with arbitrary detention ; or (5) time constraints and
urgency of the anti-drug operations, which often rely on tips of
con dential assets, prevented the law enforcers from obtaining the
presence of the required witnesses even before the offenders could
escape . 3 2
Earnest effort to secure the attendance of the necessary witnesses must be
proven. People v. Ramos 3 3 requires:
It is well to note that the absence of these required witnesses does not
per se render the con scated items inadmissible. However, a justi able reason
for such failure or a showing of any genuine and su cient effort to
secure the required witnesses under Section 21 of RA 9165 must be
adduced. In People v. Umipang , the Court held that the prosecution must show
t h a t earnest efforts were employed in contacting the representatives
enumerated under the law for "a sheer statement that representatives were
unavailable without so much as an explanation on whether serious attempts
were employed to look for other representatives, given the circumstances is to
be regarded as a imsy excuse." Verily, mere statements of unavailability,
absent actual serious attempts to contact the required witnesses are
unacceptable as justi ed grounds for noncompliance. These considerations
arise from the fact that police o cers are ordinarily given su cient time —
beginning from the moment they have received the information about the
activities of the accused until the time of his arrest — to prepare for a buy-bust
operation and consequently, make the necessary arrangements beforehand
knowing full well that they would have to strictly comply with the set procedure
prescribed in Section 21 of RA 9165. As such, police o cers are compelled not
only to state reasons for their non-compliance, but must in fact, also convince
the Court that they exerted earnest efforts to comply with the mandated
procedure, and that under the given circumstances, their actions were
reasonable. 3 4
In this case, IO1 Orellan testi ed that no members of the media and barangay
o cials arrived at the crime scene because it was late at night and it was raining,
making it unsafe for them to wait at Lim's house. 3 5 IO2 Orcales similarly declared that
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the inventory was made in the PDEA o ce considering that it was late in the evening
and there were no available media representative and barangay o cials despite their
effort to contact them. 3 6 He admitted that there are times when they do not inform the
barangay o cials prior to their operation as they might leak the con dential
information. 3 7 We are of the view that these justi cations are unacceptable as there
was no genuine and sufficient attempt to comply with the law.
The testimony of team-leader IO2 Orcales negates any effort on the part of the
buy-bust team to secure the presence of a barangay official during the operation:
ATTY. DEMECILLO:
xxx xxx xxx
Q x x x Before going to the house of the accused, why did you not contact a
barangay official to witness the operation?
A There are reasons why we do not inform a barangay o cial before our
operation, Sir.
Q Why?
A We do not contact them because we do not trust them. They might leak
our information. 3 8
The prosecution likewise failed to explain why they did not secure the presence
of a representative from the Department of Justice (DOJ). While the arresting o cer,
IO1 Orellan, stated in his A davit that they only tried to coordinate with the barangay
o cials and the media, the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses failed to show
that they tried to contact a DOJ representative.
The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses also failed to establish the details
of an earnest effort to coordinate with and secure presence of the required witnesses.
They also failed to explain why the buy-bust team felt "unsafe" in waiting for the
representatives in Lim's house, considering that the team is composed of at least ten
(10) members, and the two accused were the only persons in the house. HSAcaE
It bears emphasis that the rule that strict adherence to the mandatory
requirements of Section 21 (1) of R.A. No. 9165, as amended, and its IRR may be
excused as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the con scated items are
properly preserved applies not just on arrest and/or seizure by reason of a legitimate
buy-bust operation but also on those lawfully made in air or sea port, detention cell or
national penitentiary, checkpoint, moving vehicle, local or international
package/parcel/mail, or those by virtue of a consented search, stop and frisk (Terry
search), search incident to a lawful arrest, or application of plain view doctrine where
time is of the essence and the arrest and/or seizure is/are not planned, arranged or
scheduled in advance.
To conclude, judicial notice is taken of the fact that arrests and seizures related
to illegal drugs are typically made without a warrant; hence, subject to inquest
proceedings. Relative thereto, Section 1 (A.1.10) of the Chain of Custody Implementing
Rules and Regulations directs:
A.1.10. Any justi cation or explanation in cases of noncompliance
with the requirements of Section 21 (1) of R.A. No. 9165, as amended, shall be
clearly stated in the sworn statements/a davits of the apprehending/seizing
officers, as well as the steps taken to preserve the integrity and evidentiary value
of the seized/con scated items. Certi cation or record of coordination for
operating units other than the PDEA pursuant to Section 86 (a) and (b), Article IX
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of the IRR of R.A. No. 9165 shall be presented. 3 9
While the above-quoted provision has been the rule, it appears that it has not
been practiced in most cases elevated before Us. Thus, in order to weed out early on
from the courts' already congested docket any orchestrated or poorly built up drug-
related cases, the following should henceforth be enforced as a mandatory policy:
1. In the sworn statements/a davits, the apprehending/seizing o cers
must state their compliance with the requirements of Section 21 (1) of
R.A. No. 9165, as amended, and its IRR.
2. In case of non-observance of the provision, the apprehending/seizing
o cers must state the justi cation or explanation therefor as well as the
steps they have taken in order to preserve the integrity and evidentiary
value of the seized/confiscated items.
3. If there is no justi cation or explanation expressly declared in the sworn
statements or a davits, the investigating scal must not immediately le
the case before the court. Instead, he or she must refer the case for further
preliminary investigation in order to determine the (non) existence of
probable cause.
4. If the investigating scal led the case despite such absence, the court
may exercise its discretion to either refuse to issue a commitment order
(or warrant of arrest) or dismiss the case outright for lack of probable
cause in accordance with Section 5, 4 0 Rule 112, Rules of Court.
WHEREFORE , premises considered, the February 23, 2017 Decision of the Court
of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR HC No. 01280-MIN, which a rmed the September 24, 2013
Decision of Regional Trial Court, Branch 25, Cagayan de Oro City, in Criminal Cases Nos.
2010-1073 and 2010-1074, nding accused-appellant Romy Lim y Miranda guilty of
violating Sections 11 and 5, respectively, of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, is
REVERSED and SET ASIDE . Accordingly, accused-appellant Romy Lim y Miranda is
ACQUITTED on reasonable doubt, and is ORDERED IMMEDIATELY RELEASED from
detention, unless he is being lawfully held for another cause. Let an entry of nal
judgment be issued immediately.
Let a copy of this Decision be furnished the Superintendent of the Davao Prison
and Penal Farm, B.E. Dujali, Davao del Norte, for immediate implementation. The said
Director is ORDERED to REPORT to this Court within ve (5) days from receipt of this
Decision the action he has taken.
Let copies of this Decision be furnished to the Secretary of the Department of
Justice, as well as to the Head/Chief of the National Prosecution Service, the O ce of
the Solicitor General, the Public Attorney's O ce, the Philippine National Police, the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines for their information and guidance. Likewise, the Office
of the Court Administrator is DIRECTED to DISSEMINATE copies of this Decision to
all trial courts, including the Court of Appeals.
SO ORDERED.
Leonardo-de Castro, C.J., Carpio, Bersamin, Perlas-Bernabe, Tijam, A.B. Reyes, Jr.,
Gesmundo and J.C. Reyes, Jr., JJ., concur.
Del Castillo, * J., is on wellness leave.
Leonen and Caguioa, JJ., see separate concurring opinion.
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Jardeleza, ** J., took no part; prior OSG action.
Separate Opinions
LEONEN , J., concurring :
The failure of law enforcement o cers to comply with the chain of custody
requirements spelled out in Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165 (otherwise known as
the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), as amended, coupled with a failure
to show justi able grounds for their non-compliance engenders reasonable doubt on
the guilt of persons from whom illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were supposedly
seized. Acquittal must then ensue. This is especially true in arrests and seizures
occasioned by buy-bust operations, which, by de nition, are preplanned, deliberately
arranged or calculated operations.
Asserting proper compliance with chain of custody requirements — and the
ensuing acquittal of an accused due to the law enforcement o cers' unjusti ed non-
compliance — is not a matter of calibrating jurisprudence. It is merely a matter of
applying the clear text of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
I concur that the accused-appellant, Romy Lim, must be acquitted on account of
reasonable doubt.
Conviction in criminal actions requires proof beyond reasonable doubt. Rule 133,
Section 2 of the Revised Rules on Evidence spells out this requisite quantum of proof:
Section 2. Proof beyond reasonable doubt. — In a criminal case, the
accused is entitled to an acquittal, unless his guilt is shown beyond reasonable
doubt. Proof beyond reasonable doubt does not mean such a degree of proof,
excluding possibility of error, produces absolute certainty. Moral certainty only
is required, or that degree of proof which produces conviction in an unprejudiced
mind. AcICHD
II
The requisites that must be satis ed to sustain convictions for illegal sale of
dangerous drugs under Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are
settled.
In actions involving the illegal sale of dangerous drugs, the following
elements must rst be established: (1) proof that the transaction or sale took
place and (2) the presentation in court of the corpus delicti or the illicit drug as
evidence. 2 (Emphasis in the original, citation omitted)
On the second element of corpus delicti, Section 21 of the Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10640, spells out requirements
for the custody and disposition of con scated, seized, and/or surrendered drugs
and/or drug paraphernalia. Section 21 (1) to (3) stipulate requirements concerning
custody prior to the filing of a criminal case:
Section 21. Custody and Disposition of Con scated, Seized, and/or
Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of Dangerous Drugs, Controlled
Precursors and Essential Chemicals, Instruments/Paraphernalia and/or
Laboratory Equipment. — The PDEA shall take charge and have custody of all
dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and
essential chemicals, as well as instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory
equipment so con scated, seized and/or surrendered, for proper disposition in
the following manner:
(1) The apprehending team having initial custody and control of the
dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals,
instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment shall,
immediately after seizure and con scation, conduct a physical
inventory of the seized items and photograph the same in the
presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items
were con scated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel,
with an elected public o cial and a representative of the
National Prosecution Service or the media who shall be
required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy
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thereof: Provided, That the physical inventory and photograph shall
be conducted at the place where the search warrant is served; or at
the nearest police station or at the nearest o ce of the
apprehending o cer/team, whichever is practicable, in case of
warrantless seizures: Provided, finally, That noncompliance of these
requirements under justi able grounds , as long as the integrity
and the evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved
by the apprehending o cer/team, shall not render void and invalid
such seizures and custody over said items.
(2) Within twenty-four (24) hours upon con scation/seizure of
dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled
precursors and essential chemicals, as well as
instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment, the same
shall be submitted to the PDEA Forensic Laboratory for a qualitative
and quantitative examination; TAIaHE
III
IV
The precision required in the custody of seized drugs and drug paraphernalia is
affirmed by the amendments made to Section 21 by Republic Act No. 10640. ITAaHc
The differences between Section 21 (1) as originally stated and as amended are
shown below:
who shall be required to sign the with an elected public official and a
copies of the inventory and be given a representative of the National
copy thereof; Prosecution Service or the media
Section 21 (1) was simultaneously relaxed and made more speci c by Republic
Act No. 10640.
It was relaxed with respect to the persons required to be present during the
physical inventory and photographing of the seized items. Originally under Republic Act
No. 9165, the use of the conjunctive 'and' indicated that Section 21 required the
presence of all of the following, in addition to "the accused or the person/s from whom
such items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel":
First, a representative from the media;
Second, representative from the Department of Justice (DOJ); and
Third, any elected public official.
As amended by Republic Act No. 10640, Section 21 (1) uses the disjunctive 'or'
(i.e., "with an elected public o cial and a representative of the National Prosecution
Service or the media"). Thus, a representative from the media and a representative from
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the National Prosecution Service are now alternatives to each other.
Section 21 (1), as amended, now includes a speci cation of locations where the
physical inventory and taking of photographs must be conducted (n.b., it uses the
mandatory "shall"). It now includes the following proviso: 2 2
Provided, That the physical inventory and photograph shall be conducted at the
place where the search warrant is served; or at the nearest police station or at
the nearest o ce of the apprehending o cer/team, whichever is practicable , in
case of warrantless seizures. (Emphasis supplied)
Lescano v. People 2 3 summarizes Section 21 (1)'s requirements:
As regards the items seized and subjected to marking, Section 21(1) of
the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended, requires the
performance of two (2) actions: physical inventory and photographing. Section
21(1) is speci c as to when and where these actions must be done. As to when,
it must be "immediately after seizure and con scation." As to where, it depends
on whether the seizure was supported by a search warrant. If a search warrant
was served, the physical inventory and photographing must be done at the
exact same place that the search warrant is served. In case of warrantless
seizures, these actions must be done "at the nearest police station or at the
nearest office of the apprehending officer/team, whichever is practicable." CHTAIc
Set against the strict requirements of Section 21 (1) of Republic Act No. 9165, 2 5
this case screams of glaring infringements.
"the apprehending team having initial custody and control of the drugs
shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation, physically inventory and
photograph the same "
"in the presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items
were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a
representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and
any elected public official "
Moreover, not one of the third persons required by Section 21 (1) prior to its
amendment — "a representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ),
and any elected public o cial" — was present during the physical inventory and taking
of photographs. Instead, only accused-appellant Romy Lim and accused Eldie Gorres
were present.
"who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a
copy thereof"
Since not one of the three required personalities were present during the
operation, the inventory was not signed. Even the two accused were not given a chance
to sign the shabu sachets that were allegedly found in their possession:
Atty. Demecillo: (continuing to the witness [Officer Orellan])
Q In this Inventory, no signature of the two accused?
A The accused did not sign, Sir. DHITCc
VI
Section 21 (1), as amended, now also includes a proviso that leaves room for
noncompliance under "justifiable grounds":
Provided, nally, That noncompliance of these requirements under justi able
grounds, as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items
are properly preserved by the apprehending o cer/team, shall not render void
and invalid such seizures and custody over said items. (Emphasis supplied)
This proviso was taken from the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic
Act No. 9165:
Provided, further, that non-compliance with these requirements under justi able
grounds, as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items
are properly preserved by the apprehending o cer/team, shall not render void
and invalid such seizures of and custody over said items[.] (Emphasis supplied)
CTIEac
As farcical as the buy-bust team's excuses are, it would be equally farcical for us
to condone it.
VII
The prosecution offers nothing more than sweeping excuses and self-serving
assurances. It would have itself pro t from the buy-bust team's own inadequacies. We
cannot be a party to this profligacy.
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Rather than rely on the courts' licentious tolerance and bank on favorable
accommodations, our police o cers should be exemplary. They should adhere to the
highest standards, consistently deliver commendable results, and remain beyond
reproach. Section 21's requirements are but a bare minimum. Police o cers should be
more than adept at satisfying them.
At stake are some of the most sacrosanct pillars of our constitutional order and
justice system: due process, the right to be presumed innocent, the threshold of proof
beyond reasonable doubt and the duty of the prosecution to build its case upon its own
merits. We cannot let these ideals fall by the wayside, jettisoned in favor of
considerations of convenience and to facilitate piecemeal convictions for ostensible
wrongdoing.
Requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt hearkens to our individual
consciences. I cannot accept that the severe consequences arising from criminal
conviction will be meted upon persons whose guilt could have clearly been established
by police o cers' mere adherence to a bare minimum. Certainly, it is not too much to
ask that our law enforcement o cers observe what the law mandates. The steps we
now require outlined in the able ponencia of my esteemed colleague Justice Diosdado
Peralta is definitely a step forward.
ACCORDINGLY, I vote that the Decision dated February 23, 2017 of the Court of
Appeals in CA-G.R. CR HC No. 01280-MIN, be REVERSED and SET ASIDE . Accused-
appellant Romy Lim y Miranda must be ACQUITTED for failure of the prosecution to
prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
CAGUIOA , J., concurring :
I concur.
I agree with the ponencia that accused-appellant Romy Lim y Miranda (Lim)
should be acquitted for failure of the prosecution to establish an unbroken link in the
chain of custody of the dangerous drugs supposedly seized from him.
The facts are simple:
On October 19, 2010, at around 8:00 p.m., Intelligence O cer 1 Albert Orellan
(IO1 Orellan) and his team were at the Regional O ce of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) when they received information from a con dential
informant (CI) that Lim had engaged in the sale of prohibited drugs in his house at Zone
7, Cabina, Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City. The team immediately prepared to conduct a
buy-bust operation and coordinated with the nearest police station. They then left to
conduct the buy-bust operation and reached the target area at around 10:00 p.m., or
two hours after they received the information from the CI.
Upon reaching the target area, the poseur-buyer and the CI knocked at the door
of Lim's house. Eldie Gorres (Gorres), Lim's stepson, came out and invited them to
enter. Inside the house, Lim was sitting on the sofa while watching the television while
the supposed sale of shabu happened between Gorres and the poseur-buyer. After the
supposed consummation of the sale, the police o cers barged into the house and
arrested Lim and Gorres. The two were then prosecuted for violation of Sections 5 and
11, Article II of Republic Act No. (R.A.) 9165.
At the outset, it is important to stress that jurisprudence is well-settled that in all
prosecutions for violation of R.A. 9165, the following elements must be proven beyond
reasonable doubt: (1) proof that the transaction took place; and (2) presentation in
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court of the corpus delicti or the illicit drug as evidence. The existence of dangerous
drugs is a condition sine qua non for conviction for the illegal sale and possession of
dangerous drugs, they being the very corpus delicti of the crimes. 1 What is material is
the proof that the transaction or sale transpired, coupled with the presentation in court
of the corpus delicti. 2 Corpus delicti is the body or substance of the crime, and
establishes the fact that a crime has been actually committed. 3 cHECAS
In dangerous drugs cases, it is essential in establishing the corpus delicti that the
procedure provided in Section 21 of R.A. 9165 is followed. The said section provides:
SEC. 21. Custody and Disposition of Con scated, Seized, and/or
Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of Dangerous Drugs, Controlled
Precursors and Essential Chemicals, Instruments/sParaphernalia and/or
Laboratory Equipment. — The PDEA shall take charge and have custody of all
dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and
essential chemicals, as well as instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory
equipment so con scated, seized and/or surrendered, for proper disposition in
the following manner:
(1) The apprehending team having initial custody and control of the
drugs shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation, physically inventory and
photograph the same in the presence of the accused or the person/s from
whom such items were con scated and/or seized, or his/her representative or
counsel, a representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ),
and any elected public o cial who shall be required to sign the copies of the
inventory and be given a copy thereof;
(2) Within twenty-four (24) hours upon con scation/seizure of
dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and
essential chemicals, as well as instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory
equipment, the same shall be submitted to the PDEA Forensic Laboratory for a
qualitative and quantitative examination;
(3) A certi cation of the forensic laboratory examination results,
which shall be done under oath by the forensic laboratory examiner, shall be
issued within twenty-four (24) hours after the receipt of the subject item/s:
Provided, That when the volume of the dangerous drugs, plant sources of
dangerous drugs, and controlled precursors and essential chemicals does not
allow the completion of testing within the time frame, a partial laboratory
examination report shall be provisionally issued stating therein the quantities of
dangerous drugs still to be examined by the forensic laboratory: Provided,
however, That a nal certi cation shall be issued on the completed forensic
laboratory examination on the same within the next twenty-four (24) hours[.]
Furthermore, Section 21 (a), Article II of the Implementing Rules and Regulations
of R.A. 9165 (IRR) lled in the details as to where the physical inventory and
photographing of the seized items could be done: i.e., at the place of seizure, at the
nearest police station or at the nearest office of the apprehending officer/team, thus:
SECTION 21. Custody and Disposition of Con scated,
Seized and/or Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of
Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals,
Instruments/Paraphernalia and/or Laboratory Equipment. — The PDEA
shall take charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs, plant sources of
dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, as well as
instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment so con scated, seized
and/or surrendered, for proper disposition in the following manner:
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(a) The apprehending o cer/team having initial custody and control
of the drugs shall, immediately after seizure and con scation,
physically inventory and photograph the same in the presence of
the accused or the person/s from whom such items were
con scated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a
representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ),
and any elected public o cial who shall be required to sign the
copies of the inventory and be given a copy thereof: Provided, that
the physical inventory and photograph shall be conducted
at the place where the search warrant is served; or at the
nearest police station or at the nearest o ce of the
apprehending o cer/team, whichever is practicable, in
case of warrantless seizures ; Provided, further, that non-
compliance with these requirements under justi able grounds, as
long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items
are properly preserved by the apprehending o cer/team, shall not
render void and invalid such seizures of and custody over said
items[.] (Emphasis supplied)AHDacC
In this regard, showing how the drugs transferred hands from the accused to the
poseur-buyer, from the poseur-buyer to the investigator and from the investigator to
the crime laboratory — much like in this case — without showing compliance with the
inventory and photographing as witnessed by the three required witnesses is not
enough to ensure the integrity of the seized drugs. Indeed, without such witnessing, the
drugs could already have been planted — and the marking, and the transfer from one to
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another (as usually testi ed to by the apprehending o cers) only proves the chain of
custody of planted drugs.
I am not unaware that there is now a saving clause in Section 21, introduced by
R.A. 10640, which is the portion that states: "noncompliance of these requirements
under justi able grounds, as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized
items are properly preserved by the apprehending o cer/team, shall not render void
and invalid such seizures and custody over said items."
The requirements referred to that need not be complied with if there are
justi able grounds are only in respect of the conduct of the physical inventory and the
photographing in the presence of the accused, with an elected public o cial, and a
representative of the DOJ, and the media who shall be required to sign the copies of the
inventory and be given a copy thereof.
Again, the plain language of this last proviso in Section 21 of R.A. 10640 simply
means that the failure of the apprehending o cer/team to physically inventory and
photograph the drugs at the place of arrest and/or to have the DOJ or media
representative and elected public o cial witness the same can be excused ( i.e., these
shall not render void and invalid such seizures and custody over said items) so long as
there are justi able grounds for not complying with these requirements and "as long as
the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved by the
apprehending officer/team."
Thus, it has been held that, as a general rule, strict compliance with the
requirements of Section 21 is mandatory. 8 The Court may allow noncompliance with
the requirement only in exceptional cases, 9 where the following requisites are present:
(1) the existence of justi able grounds to allow departure from the rule on strict
compliance; and (2) the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items are
properly preserved by the apprehending team. 1 0 If these two elements are present, the
seizures and custody over the confiscated items shall not be rendered void and invalid.
It has also been emphasized that for the saving clause to be triggered, the
prosecution must first recognize any lapses on the part of the police officers and justify
the same. 1 1 Breaches of the procedure contained in Section 21 committed by the
police o cers, left unacknowledged and unexplained by the State, militate against a
nding of guilt beyond reasonable doubt against the accused as the integrity and
evidentiary value of the corpus delicti had been compromised. 1 2
In cases involving procedural lapses of the police o cers, proving the identity
of the corpus delicti despite noncompliance with Section 21 requires the
saving clause to be successfully triggered.
For this purpose, the prosecution must satisfy its two-pronged
requirement: rst, credibly justify the noncompliance, and second, show that
the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized item were properly
preserved. 1 3 This interpretation on when the saving clause is triggered is not novel. In
Valencia v. People, 1 4 the Court held:
Although the Court has ruled that non-compliance with the directives of
Section 21, Article II of R.A. No. 9165 is not necessarily fatal to the prosecution's
case, the prosecution must still prove that (a) there is a justi able ground for the
non-compliance, and (b) the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items
were properly preserved. Further, the non-compliance with the procedures must
be justi ed by the State's agents themselves. The arresting o cers are under
obligation, should they be unable to comply with the procedures laid down
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under Section 21, Article II of R.A. No. 9165, to explain why the procedure was
not followed and prove that the reason provided a justi able ground. Otherwise,
the requisites under the law would merely be fancy ornaments that may or may
not be disregarded by the arresting o cers at their own convenience. 1 5
(Citations omitted)
In the case of People v. Barte , 1 6 the Court pronounced that the State has the
duty to credibly explain the noncompliance of the provisions of Section 21:
When there is failure to comply with the requirements for proving the
chain of custody in the con scation of contraband in a drug buy-bust operation,
the State has the obligation to credibly explain such noncompliance; otherwise,
the proof of the corpus delicti is doubtful, and the accused should be acquitted
for failure to establish his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. 1 7 aCIHcD
It is important to note that (1) the report of the CI came in around 8:00 p.m.; (2)
the police o cers immediately arranged a buy-bust operation; and (3) they arrived at
Lim's house at about 15 minutes before 10:00 p.m. While the vigor exerted by the
police o cers was commendable, it must be pointed out that Lim was supposedly
selling drugs at his house . In fact, Lim "was sitting on the sofa while watching the
television" when the CI and the poseur-buyer arrived. There was thus no issue with
regard to urgency and time constraints, as Lim was not a ight risk nor was his
supposed commission of the crime bound to a limited period of time. To reiterate, Lim
was supposedly continuously committing the crime at his own residence . The
police o cers could have, for instance, proceeded with the operation the following day
when the presence of the three witnesses — as required by law — could have been
obtained.
At this point, it is imperative to discuss that the presumption of regularity in the
performance of duties by the police o cers could not justify the police o cers'
noncompliance with the requirements of law. Verily, the said presumption could not
supply the acts which were not done by the police o cers. The presumption of
regularity in the performance of duties is simply that — a presumption — which can be
overturned if evidence is presented to prove that the public o cers were not properly
performing their duty or they were inspired by improper motive. 2 5 It is not uncommon,
therefore that cases will rely on the presumption when there is no showing of improper
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motive on the part of the police.
To my mind, however, notwithstanding a lack of showing of improper motive, the
presumption of regularity of performance of o cial duty stands only when no reason
exists in the records by which to doubt the regularity of the performance of o cial
duty. 2 6 As applied to drugs cases, I believe that the presumption shall only arise when
there is a showing that the apprehending o cer/team followed the requirements of
Section 21, or when the saving clause is successfully triggered.
Judicial reliance on the presumption of regularity in the performance of o cial
duty despite the lapses in the procedures undertaken by the agents of the law is
fundamentally unsound because the lapses themselves are a rmative proofs of
irregularity. 2 7 In People v. Enriquez, 2 8 the Court held:
x x x [A]ny divergence from the prescribed procedure must be justi ed
and should not affect the integrity and evidentiary value of the con scated
contraband. Absent any of the said conditions, the non-compliance is an
irregularity , a red ag that casts reasonable doubt on the identity of the corpus
delicti. 2 9 (Emphasis supplied)
Thus, in case of noncompliance with Section 21, the Court cannot rely on the
presumption of regularity to say that the guilt of the accused was established beyond
reasonable doubt. The discussion in People v. Sanchez 3 0 is instructive:
The court apparently banked also on the presumption of regularity in the
performance that a police o cer like SPO2 Sevilla enjoys in the absence of any
taint of irregularity and of ill motive that would induce him to falsify his
testimony. Admittedly, the defense did not adduce any evidence showing that
SPO2 Sevilla had any motive to falsify. The regularity of the performance of his
duties, however, leaves much to be desired given the lapses in his handling of
the allegedly confiscated drugs as heretofore shown.
An effect of this lapse, as we held in Lopez v. People, is to negate the
presumption that o cial duties have been regularly performed by the police
o cers. Any taint of irregularity affects the whole performance and should
make the presumption unavailable. There can be no ifs and buts regarding this
consequence considering the effect of the evidentiary presumption of regularity
on the constitutional presumption of innocence. 3 1 (Citation omitted)
What further militates against according the police the presumption of regularity
is the fact that even the pertinent internal guidelines of the police (some as early as
1999, predating R.A. 9165) require photographing and inventory during the conduct of a
buy-bust operation.
Under the 1999 Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Manual 3 2
(PNPDEM), the conduct of buy-bust operations requires the following: DACcIH
Footnotes
* On wellness leave.
** No part.
1. Penned by Associate Justice Ronaldo B. Martin, with Associate Justices Romulo V. Borja and
Oscar V. Badelles, concurring; rollo, pp. 3-19; CA rollo, pp. 86-102.
2. Records, pp. 117-125; CA rollo, pp. 32-40.
3. Records (Criminal Case No. 2010-1073), pp. 3-4.
4. Records (Criminal Case No. 2010-1074), pp. 3-4.
5. Records (Criminal Case No. 2010-1073), pp. 19-20; records (Criminal Case No. 2010-1074),
pp. 20-22.
6. Id. at 2; Id. at 2.
7. Spelled as "Bajar" in the Request for Laboratory Examination on Drug Evidence (See Records
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of Criminal Case No. 2010-1073 [pp. 9-10] and Criminal Case No. 2010-1074 [p. 9A]).
8. Records (Criminal Case No. 2010-1073), pp. 124-125; CA rollo, pp. 39-40.
9. Rollo, pp. 26-35.
10. R.A. No. 9165 took effect on July 4, 2002 (See People v. De la Cruz, 591 Phil. 259, 272
[2008]).
11. See People v. Badilla, 794 Phil. 263, 278 (2016); People v. Arenas, 791 Phil. 601, 610 (2016);
and Saraum v. People, 779 Phil. 122, 132 (2016).
12. United States v. Rawlins, 606 F.3d 73 (2010).
13. United States v. Rawlins, supra note 12, as cited in United States v. Mehmood, 2018 U.S.
App. LEXIS 19232 (2018); United States v. De Jesus-Conception, 652 Fed. Appx. 134
(2016); United States v. Rodriguez, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 35215 (2015); and United
States v. Mark, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 95130 (2012).
14. See United States v. Rawlins, supra note 12, as cited in United States v. Mark, supra note 13.
15. See United States v. Cardenas, 864 F.2d 1528 (1989), as cited in United States v. Yeley-
Davis, 632 F.3d 673 (2011); United States v. Solis, 55 F. Supp. 2d 1182 (1999); United
States v. Anderson, 1994 U.S. App. LEXIS 9193 (1994); United States v. Hogg, 1993 U.S.
App. LEXIS 13732 (1993); United States v. Rodriguez-Garcia, 983 F.2d 1563 (1993);
United States v. Johnson, 977 F.2d 1360 (1992); and United States v. Clonts, 966 F.2d
1366 (1992).
18. People v. Vicente Sipin y De Castro, G.R. No. 224290, June 11, 2018; People v. Amaro, 786
Phil. 139, 148 (2016); and People v. Enad, 780 Phil. 346, 358 (2016).
19. See People v. Sic-open, 795 Phil. 859, 872 (2016); People v. Badilla, supra note 11, at 275-
276; People v. Dela Cruz, 783 Phil. 620, 632 (2016); People v. Asislo, 778 Phil. 509, 516
(2016); People v. Dalawis, supra note 17, at 416; and People v. Flores, supra note 17, at
540.
20. People v. Sic-Open, supra note 19, at 873; People v. Badilla, supra note 11, at 276; People v.
Dela Cruz, supra note 19, at 633; People v. Asislo, supra note 19, at 516-517; People v.
Dalawis, supra note 17, at 417; and People v. Flores, supra note 17, at 541.
21. Senate Journal. Session No. 80. 16th Congress, 1st Regular Session. June 4, 2014. p. 348.
22. Id.
23. Id.
24. Id. at 349.
31. See also People v. Reyes, supra note 29 and People v. Mola, supra note 26.
32. People v. Vicente Sipin y De Castro, supra note 18. See also People v. Reyes, supra note 29,
and People v. Mola, supra note 26.
33. G.R. No. 233744, February 28, 2018. (Citations omitted).
34. See also People v. Crespo, G.R. No. 230065, March 14, 2018 and People v. Sanchez, G.R.
No. 231383, March 7, 2018. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)
7. People v. Laxa, 414 Phil. 156, 170 (2001) [Per J. Mendoza, Second Division], as cited in
People v. Orteza, 555 Phil. 700, 708 (2007) [Per J. Tinga, Second Division].
8. 576 Phil. 576 (2008) [Per J. Tinga, Second Division].
9. Id. at 588-589.
17. People v. Navarrete, 665 Phil. 738, 749 (2011) [Per J. Carpio Morales, Third Division]. See
also People v. Ulat, 674 Phil. 484, 500 (2011) [Per J. Leonardo-De Castro, First Division].
18. People v. Navarrete, 665 Phil. 738, 748-749 (2011) [Per J. Carpio Morales, Third Division].
19. 588 Phil. 395 (2008) [Per J. Tinga, Second Division].
20. Id. at 405.
41. Id.; TSN dated June 2, 2011, p. 8. In Officer Orellan's testimony, he stated that aside from
himself, the buy-bust team was composed of "Regional Director Layese, Deputy Director
Atila, . . . IO1 Carin, IO2 Alfaro, IO1 Genita, IO1 Avila, IO2 Orcales, IA2 Pica, IO1 Cardona[.]"
42. Id.
43. Id.
44. TSN dated June 2, 2011, pp. 36-37.
5. People v. Crispo, G.R. No. 230065, March 14, 2018, p. 11; People v. Año, G.R. No. 230070,
March 14, 2018, p. 7; People v. Lumaya, G.R. No. 231983, March 7, 2018, p. 12; People v.
Ramos, G.R. No. 233744, February 28, 2018, p. 9; People v. Manansala, G.R. No. 229092,
February 21, 2018, p. 9; People v. Guieb, G.R. No. 233100, February 14, 2018, p. 9; People
v. Paz, G.R. No. 229512, January 31, 2018, p. 11; People v. Miranda, G.R. No. 229671,
January 31, 2018, p. 11; People v. Jugo, G.R. No. 231792, January 29, 2018, p. 9; People
v. Mamangon, G.R. No. 229102, January 29, 2018, p. 9; People v. Calibod, G.R. No.
230230, November 20, 2017, p. 9; People v. Ching, G.R. No. 223556, October 9, 2017, p,
10; People v. Geronimo, G.R. No. 225500, September 11, 2017, p. 9; People v.
Macapundag, G.R. No. 225965, March 13, 2017, 820 SCRA 204, 215; Gamboa v. People,
799 Phil. 584, 597 (2016); see also People v. Dela Victoria, G.R. No. 233325, April 16,
2018, p. 10; People v. Bintaib, G.R. No. 217805, April 2, 2018; People v. Segundo, G.R. No.
205614, July 26, 2017, p. 17.
6. 736 Phil. 749 (2014).
7. Id. at 764.
8. See People v. Cayas, 789 Phil. 70, 79 (2016); People v. Havana, 776 Phil. 462, 475 (2016).
9. See id. at 80.
10. R.A. 9165, Sec. 21 (1), as amended by R.A. 10640.
11. See People v. Alagarme, 754 Phil. 449, 461 (2015).
12. See People v. Sumili, 753 Phil. 343, 352 (2015).
13. See People v. Capuno, 655 Phil. 226, 240-241 (2011); People v. Garcia, 599 Phil. 416, 432-
433 (2009); People v. Reyes, G.R. No. 199271, October 19, 2016, 806 SCRA 513, 536-537.
14. 725 Phil. 268 (2014),
15. Id. at 286.
16. G.R. No. 179749, March 1, 2017, 819 SCRA 10.
17. Id. at 13.
18. G.R. No. 208093, February 20, 2017, 818 SCRA 122.
19. Id. at 142; underscoring supplied.
20. Supra note 13.
21. Id. at 536.
22. Ponencia, pp. 15-16.
23. Id. at 13; emphasis omitted.
24. Id., citing People v. Sipin, G.R. No. 224290, June 11, 2018, p. 17.
25. RULES OF COURT, Rule 131, Sec. 3 (m) provides: "That official duty has been regularly
performed."
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26. People v. Mendoza, supra note 6, at 770.
27. Id.
28. 718 Phil. 352 (2013).
29. Id. at 366.
30. 590 Phil. 214 (2008).