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People vs. Utuanis

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, V. JOSHUA QUE Y UTUANIS, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

G.R. No. 212994 | 2018-01-31

D E C I S I O N
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
The chain of custody requirements in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are cast in precise, mandatory language. They are not stringent for stringency's own sake. Rather, they are calibrated to preserve the even greater interest of due process and the constitutional rights of those who stand to suffer from the State's legitimate use of force, and therefore, stand to be deprived of liberty, property, and, should capital punishment be imposed, life. This calibration balances the need for effective prosecution of those involved in illegal drugs and the preservation of the most basic liberties...