Back

Villasana vs. People

JOSEPH VILLASANA Y CABAHUG, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

G.R. No. 209078 | 2019-09-04

DECISION
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
Evidence seized as a result of an illegal warrantless arrest cannot be used against an accused pursuant to Article III, Section 3(2) of the Constitution. Even if the seizure was reasonable, the arresting officers' unjustified noncompliance with the legal safeguards under Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165 compromises the integrity of the confiscated drug. This creates reasonable doubt on the conviction of the accused for illegal possession of dangerous drugs.

This Court resolves a Petition for Review on Certiorari[1] assailing the Decision2[2] of the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the Regional...