G.R. No. 267265 - People vs. Edwin Cordova y Manalastas, Jayson Taladua y Barbarrra, Mary Antonette Del Rosario y Tamondong, and Jaime Cordova y Manalastas

Accused-appellants Edwin Cordova y Manalastas (Edwin) and Jayson Taladua y Barbarra (Taladua), along with co-accused Jaime Cordova y Manalastas (Jaime) and Mary Antonette Del Rosario y Tamondong (Del Rosario), were charged before the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 79, Quezon City, in eight separate informations for violating Sections 5 (Illegal Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Edwin was charged for the illegal sale of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in Criminal Case Nos. R-QZN-19-01905-CR through R-QZN-19-01908-CR, with specific transactions involving different recipients. Similarly, Edwin, Taladua, Jaime, and Del Rosario were charged with illegal possession under Criminal Case Nos. R-QZN-19-01909-CR through R-QZN-19-01912-CR.
During arraignment on February 11, 2019, all accused pleaded "not guilty."

The police received information from a confidential informant regarding alias Bong (identified as Edwin) allegedly selling shabu in Barangay Greater Lagro, Quezon City.
A buy-bust operation was planned with PO1 Leehero Torres as poseur buyer, assisted by backup officers including PO1 Bernardo Ty, PO1 Maria Anthonette Sarmiento, and PO1 Fritz Belaza.
The buy-bust team observed alias Bong and made the drug buy at around 11:00 p.m. at Ascension Road, Barangay Greater Lagro. Buyers Taladua, Jaime, and Del Rosario arrived thereafter and received sachets from Edwin.
Upon the consummation signal (PO1 Torres putting a towel on his shoulder), police arrested Edwin and the others, confiscating sachets of white crystalline substance identified as methamphetamine hydrochloride through forensic examination by PCI Bernardo Roque.
The seized drugs were reportedly inventoried, photographed, and placed under custody with signatures of the accused, Barangay Captain Leo Garra (insulating witness), and media representative Christopher Yu.

Taladua claimed he was arrested on January 18, 2019, inside Edwin’s place of business (J.N.R.E. Auto Supply), denied involvement, and recounted being detained without explanation.
Jaime testified he was arrested at his home on January 17, 2019, with police searching for drugs he did not possess, and was detained briefly at Police Station 5.
Edwin denied any involvement, stated he was forcibly arrested on January 18, 2019, mistaken for alias Bong, and presented an alternate timeline and version of arrest and evidence presentation.

Del Rosario moved to enter into a plea bargaining agreement for a lesser offense (Section 12, Article II) and was convicted accordingly by the RTC on March 25, 2019.
On May 29, 2019, RTC rendered a Joint Judgment convicting Edwin and Taladua of multiple counts of illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs, sentencing them to life imprisonment and hefty fines, and acquitting Jaime on certain counts.
Edgar and Taladua appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA), which affirmed the RTC decision on November 11, 2022.
The accused again appealed to the Supreme Court.

Whether the CA erred in affirming the conviction of Edwin and Taladua for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of R.A. No. 9165.
Whether the prosecution sufficiently established the chain of custody of the seized dangerous drugs.
Whether Del Rosario should benefit from the acquittal of Edwin and Taladua despite her earlier conviction by plea bargaining.