Case Digest (G.R. No. 225747)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Jefferson Medina y Cruz, G.R. No. 225747, December 05, 2018, Supreme Court Second Division, Perlas-Bernabe, J., writing for the Court. The appeal assailed the Court of Appeals (CA) Decision of September 24, 2015 which affirmed the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Caloocan City, Branch 120 Decision of May 8, 2013 convicting Jefferson Medina y Cruz of Illegal Sale of Dangerous Drugs under Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165.The prosecution filed an Information charging Medina with illegal sale after a buy-bust operation on April 26, 2010 by the District Anti Illegal Drug - Special Operation Task Group, Northern Police District. Police recovered one plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance from Medina. PO3 Honorato Quintero, Jr. marked the seized item at the place of arrest and brought Medina and the item to the police station. PO3 Ariosto B. Rana conducted an inventory and photography and completed paperwork; the inventory reflects the presence of a media representative, Maeng Santos. A chemistry report later tested the sample positive for 0.05 gram of methylamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
Medina denied involvement, testifying that three men in civilian clothes entered his home, frisked and handcuffed him, and brought him to the station where he was charged. The RTC, in its May 8, 2013 Decision, found a consummated sale and credited the prosecution witnesses, convicting Medina and sentencing him to life imprisonment and fined P500,000.00. Medina appealed to the CA, which in its September 24, 2015 Decision affirmed the RTC, finding the elements of the offense proven and that the seized item’s integrity was preserved. Medina then filed the present ordinary appeal t...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Did the prosecution sufficiently comply with the chain of custody and witness requirements under Section 21 of RA 9165 (as amended) so as to preserve the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized drug?
- If not, did the prosecution nonetheless prove beyond reasonable doubt the elements of Illegal Sale of Dangerous Drugs under Sectio...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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