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People vs. Asaytuno

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. MARTIN H. ASAYTUNO, JR. AND RENATO H. ASAYTUNO, ACCUSED-APPELLANTS.

G.R. No. 245972 | 2019-12-02

DECISION
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
Law enforcers' failure to strictly comply with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act's chain of custody requirements engenders the prosecution's failure to establish the corpus delicti in drug offenses.[1] This is especially true for cases that involve miniscule amounts of dangerous drugs.[2] When there is doubt on the identity and integrity of the corpus delicti, an accused's acquittal must necessarily follow.[3]

This resolves an appeal from the assailed Decision[4] of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 08002. This Decision affirmed the Regional Trial...