G.R. No. 209387 - Dela Cruz vs. People

Petitioner Erwin Libo-on Dela Cruz was an on-the-job trainee frequently traveling via Cebu Domestic Port.
On May 11, 2007, around 12:00 noon, he left his single bag with a porter for about 15 minutes while buying a ticket.
He then placed the bag on the terminal’s x-ray scanning machine. The operator, Cutie Pie Flores, detected impressions of firearms.
Baggage inspector Archie/Arcie Igot asked and obtained Dela Cruz’s consent to manually inspect the bag.
Port Police Officer Adolfo Abregana joined; they found three revolvers and four live .38 caliber rounds inside.
Dela Cruz admitted ownership, had no license or permit, was arrested, informed of his rights, and charged in two cases:

Criminal Case CBU-80084: Violation of RA 8294 (illegal possession of firearms).
Criminal Case CBU-80085: Violation of COMELEC Resolution No. 7764 in relation to Section 261 of BP Blg. 881 (election gun ban).

RTC Branch 12, Cebu City found Dela Cruz guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the gun-ban offense (CBU-80085); acquitted on RA 8294 (CBU-80084).
He was sentenced to one year imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and deprivation of suffrage.
The RTC held the baggage search reasonable and the seizure tantamount to catching in flagrante delicto, rendering the evidence admissible.
The Court of Appeals affirmed: prosecution witnesses credible, port authorities acted regularly, denial defense unavailing, burden on accused to prove authority.
Motion for reconsideration was denied; Dela Cruz filed a petition for review under Rule 45 before the Supreme Court.

Was Dela Cruz in possession of the illegal firearms within the meaning of COMELEC Resolution No. 7764 in relation to Section 261 of BP Blg. 881?
Did Dela Cruz validly waive his constitutional right against unreasonable searches and seizures?
Absent waiver, was the search and seizure of his bag valid under recognized exceptions to the warrant requirement?