G.R. No. 162852 - Philippine Journalists, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue

On December 7, 1995, accused-appellants Florencio Doria y Bolado and Violeta Gaddao y Catama @ "Neneth" were charged with unlawful sale of marijuana under Sections 4 and 21 of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.
The charge alleged that on or about December 5, 1995, in Mandaluyong City, the accused illegally sold eleven plastic bags of marijuana fruiting tops weighing 7,641.08 grams.
The Philippine National Police Narcotics Command (Narcom) received information from two civilian informants about an individual named "Jun" involved in drug activities.

A buy-bust operation was planned targeting "Jun" on December 5, 1995, at E. Jacinto Street, Mandaluyong City.
PO3 Celso Manlangit was designated the poseur-buyer with SPO1 Edmund Badua as back-up; the team was given P2,000 by the Narcom chief for operations, with P1,600 set aside as buy-bust money.
At 7:20 AM, contact was made with "Jun," who accepted P1,600 marked money and promised to deliver one kilo of marijuana.
About an hour later, "Jun" returned and gave the poseur-buyer a plastic-wrapped object, later identified as marijuana.

"Jun" was arrested after delivering the marijuana but did not have the marked money on him; he stated it was left at the house of his associate named "Neneth."
The police proceeded to "Neneth's" house where they found the door open and a woman inside identified as "Neneth" (Violeta Gaddao).
PO3 Manlangit noticed a carton box under the dining table with a partially open flap revealing something wrapped in plastic resembling marijuana.
Without a warrant, the box was seized, revealing ten bricks of dried marijuana leaves; the marked buy-bust money was recovered from "Neneth."
Both accused, "Jun" (Florencio Doria) and "Neneth" (Violeta Gaddao), were arrested and their respective evidences turned over to investigators.
Laboratory examination confirmed the eleven bricks as dried marijuana fruiting tops weighing 7,641.08 grams.

Florencio Doria claimed police forced him to accompany them to "Totoy's" house where the drug paraphernalia was found, denying knowledge of or involvement in drug dealing.
Violeta Gaddao described her routine on the day, asserting innocent involvement and denial of possession or knowledge of the seized marijuana and money.

The Regional Trial Court convicted both accused, finding an organized crime group involved.
Both were sentenced to death and fined P500,000 each, with orders for transfer to appropriate penal institutions.

Florencio Doria's errors challenged witness credibility and legality of evidence obtained via warrantless search.
Violeta Gaddao disputed the credibility of Police accounts, inconsistencies in testimonies regarding buy-bust money recovery, and legality of warrantless search and seizure.

Whether the buy-bust operation resulting in Florencio Doria's apprehension was valid and free from entrapment.
Whether the warrantless arrest, search of Violeta Gaddao's person and residence, and the seizure of evidence were lawful and admissible.