Case Summary (G.R. No. 191263)
Charges and Relevant Law
Cadidia was charged with a violation of Section 5 of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This law penalizes the sale, trade, administration, dispensing, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs, imposing a penalty of life imprisonment and substantial fines upon conviction.
Factual Background
On July 31, 2002, while Cadidia was preparing to board a flight to Butuan City, she was frisked by Trayvilla, who noticed unusual bulges in Cadidia's buttocks. After she expressed skepticism regarding Cadidia's explanation that the bulge was due to a sanitary napkin, Trayvilla and Bagsican took Cadidia to a comfort room, where they discovered two plastic sachets containing shabu concealed within her underwear. The items were duly turned over to their supervisor, SPO3 Appang.
Defense Claims
During her testimony, Cadidia contended that her apprehension was based on prejudice due to her being Muslim, suggesting that the officers suspected her of carrying jewelry or illicit goods without substantive evidence. She denied ownership of the seized sachets, which were claimed to have been planted by the friskers, and asserted that they asked for money in exchange for her release.
Trial Court Proceedings
The trial court convicted Cadidia on April 7, 2008, sentencing her to life imprisonment and a monetary fine of PHP 500,000. The court found her guilty based on the testimonies of Trayvilla and Bagsican, which corroborated the details of her apprehension and the subsequent recovery of the illegal drugs.
Appeal and Arguments
On appeal, Cadidia raised several arguments contesting the trial court's ruling. She argued that the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses contained inconsistencies, specifically regarding who instructed her to remove the contents of her underwear and the handling of the seized items. She further challenged the prosecution's ability to maintain the chain of custody for the confiscated drugs, contending that this failure undermined the evidence against her.
Appellate Court Decision
The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s ruling, noting that the alleged inconsistencies were minor and did not detract from the overall credibility of the prosecution's case. The appellate court emphasized that both Trayvilla and Bagsican were credible witnesses, and their testimonies aligned with one another concerning the event's material details. Furthermore,
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Case Overview
- The case involves the appeal of Hadji Socor Cadidia against her conviction for violating Section 5 of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
- The decision under review is dated 28 August 2009 from the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the trial court's ruling.
- Cadidia was found guilty of illegal transportation of 146.77 grams of Methylamphetamine Hydrochloride (shabu).
Factual Background
- On 31 July 2002, Marilyn Trayvilla, a Non-Uniformed Personnel of the Philippine National Police, was performing her duties as a female frisker at the Manila Domestic Airport Terminal I when she frisked Cadidia.
- Trayvilla noticed an unusual thickness in Cadidia's buttocks area and, upon inquiry, Cadidia claimed it was due to her sanitary napkin.
- Not convinced, Trayvilla and her colleague, Leilani M. Bagsican, took Cadidia to the comfort room, where two sachets of shabu were discovered concealed in her sanitary napkin.
- The sachets were marked and later turned over to their supervisor, SPO3 Musalli I. Appang.
Prosecution's Evidence
- Trayvilla and Bagsican both provided testimonies corroborating the discovery of the shabu and the procedures followed during the frisking.
- SPO3 Appang testified to the chain of custody of the confiscated items and confirmed the transfer to the Intelligence and Investigation Office of the 2nd Regional Aviation Security Office.
- Forensic Chemist Elisa G. Reyes examined the confiscated drugs and confirmed they were shabu, documented in Chemistry Report No. D-364-02.
Accused's Defense
- Cadidia offered a different narrative, claiming she was