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People vs. Merando

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. JAYSON MERANDO Y AVES, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

G.R. No. 232620 | 2019-08-05

DECISION
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
Unjustified noncompliance with the chain of custody procedure will shroud in doubt the identity and integrity of the dangerous drug allegedly seized. When there is reasonable doubt, an accused's acquittal must ensue.

This Court resolves an appeal from the Decision[1] of the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the Regional Trial Court's Judgment[2] finding Jayson Merando y Aves (Merando) guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of illegal sale of dangerous drugs and sentencing him to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment.

In an April 11, 2013 Information,[3] Merando was charged with...