Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila
SECOND DIVISION
G.R. No. 191064 October 20, 2010
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintif-Appellee,
vs
ROLANO ARANETA ! A"ELLA # "OTONG $%& MARILOU SANTOS ! TANTA' # MALOU, Accuse!-
Appellants
D E C I S I O N
MENO(A, J.:
"his is an appeal f#o$ the Au%ust &', &(() Decision
*
of the Cou#t of Appeals (CA), in CA-+R CR-,C No
(&-(), .hich afi#$e! the Ma#ch *&, &((/ Decision
&
of the Re%ional "#ial Cou#t, 0#anch *1*, Pasi% Cit2 (RTC),
3n!in% the accuse! %uilt2 be2on! #easonable !oubt fo# violatin% Section 1 an! Section ** of A#ticle II of
Republic Act No '*41, othe#.ise 5no.n as the 6Co$p#ehensive D#u%s Act of &((&6
C#i$inal info#$ations .e#e 3le! in the R"C a%ainst Rolan!o A#aneta 2 Abella a5a 6Botong6 fo# Violation of
Section ) an! Section *4 of RA No 4/&1 7Dan%e#ous D#u%s Act of *'8&9, as a$en!e!, in a!!ition to the
Info#$ation 3le! a%ainst hi$ an! co-accuse! Ma#ilou Santos 2 "anta2 a5a 6Malou6 fo# Violation of Section
*1, A#ticle III in #elation to Section &*, A#ticle IV of RA 4/&1, as a$en!e! In vie. of the enact$ent of RA
No '*41 7Co$p#ehensive D#u%s Act of &((&9, the o#i%inal info#$ations .e#e a$en!e! acco#!in%l2 "he sai!
Info#$ations #ea!:
C#i$inal Case No **/'*-D
People vs A#aneta ; Santos
7<o# Violation of Sec 1 in #elation to Sec &4, A#t II, RA '*419
On o# about =ul2 1, &((& in Pasi% Cit2, an! .ithin the >u#is!iction of this ,ono#able Cou#t, the above accuse!,
conspi#in% an! confe!e#atin% to%ethe# an! both of the$ $utuall2 helpin% an! ai!in% one anothe#, not bein%
la.full2 autho#i?e! to sell, !ispense, t#anspo#t o# !ist#ibute an2 !an%e#ous !#u%, !i! then an! the#e .illfull2,
unla.full2 an! feloniousl2 sell, !elive# an! %ive a.a2 to PO& Danilo S Da$asco, a police poseu# bu2e#, one 7*9
heat-seale! t#anspa#ent plastic sachet containin% .hite c#2stalline substance .ei%hin% of 7sic9 ei%ht 7)9
centi%#a$s 7(() %#a$9, .hich .as foun! positive to the test fo# $eta$pheta$ine h2!#ochlo#i!e, a !an%e#ous
!#u%, in violation of sai! la.
Cont#a#2 to @a.
C#i$inal Case No **/'&-D
People vs A#aneta
7<o# Violation of Sec **, A#t II, RA '*419
On o# about =ul2 1, &((&, in Pasi% Cit2, an! .ithin the >u#is!iction of this ,ono#able Cou#t, the accuse!, not
bein% la.full2 autho#i?e! to use o# possess an2 !an%e#ous !#u%, !i! then an! the#e .illfull2, unla.full2 an!
feloniousl2 have in his possession an! un!e# his custo!2 an! cont#ol one 7*9 heat-seale! t#anspa#ent plastic
sachet containin% *&& %#a$s of !#ie! $a#i>uana f#uitin% tops, .hich .as foun! positive to the test fo#
$a#i>uana, a !an%e#ous !#u%, an! ei%ht 7)9 heat-seale! t#anspa#ent plastic sachets containin% .hite c#2stalline
substance .ith the follo.in% #eco#!e! net .ei%ht, to .it:
*9 EAh 0* RAAB(8(1(& C ((8 %#a$D
&9 EAh 0& RAAB(8(1(& C (*( %#a$D
Page 1 of 8
-9 EAh 0- RAAB(8(1(& C (() %#a$D
/9 EAh 0/ RAAB(8(1(& C ((8 %#a$D
19 EAh 01 RAAB(8(1(& C (() %#a$D
49 EAh 04 RAAB(8(1(& C ((/ %#a$D
89 EAh 08 RAAB(8(1(& C ((4 %#a$D
)9 EAh 0) RAAB(8(1(& C ((' %#a$
o# havin% a total .ei%ht of (1' %#a$, .hich .e#e foun! positive to the test fo# $etha$pheta$ine
h2!#ochlo#i!e, a !an%e#ous !#u%, in violation of the sai! la.
Cont#a#2 to @a.
"he p#osecutionEs evi!ence .as su$$a#i?e! in the CA !ecision as follo.s:
On =ul2 1, &((&, bet.een -:(( an! -:-( oEcloc5 in the $o#nin%, a con3!ential info#$ant a##ive! at the Station
D#u% Enfo#ce$ent Fnit 7SDEF9 of the Pasi% Cit2 Police Station to #epo#t to Ofice#-In-Cha#%e SP(/ Nu$e#iano
!e @a#a the alle%e! pe!!lin% of ille%al !#u%s of live-in couple 0oton% an! Malou, late# i!enti3e! as appellants
Rolan!o A#aneta 2 Abella an! Ma#ilou Santos 2 "anta2, at 0a#an%a2 Putol, Rosa#io, Pasi% Cit2 SPO/ !e @a#a
i$$e!iatel2 fo#$e! a tea$ co$pose! of SPO& Dante Gi%apan .ho acte! as the tea$ lea!e#, PO& Danilo
Da$asco, PO* O#i%, an! PO* 0e!e Montefalcon, to con3#$ the ve#acit2 of the info#$antEs #epo#t an! con!uct
a bu2-bust ope#ation 0efo#e !ispatchin% the tea$, SPO/ !e @a#a b#iefe! the$ as to the alle%e! ille%al
activities of the couple an! %ave thei# !esc#iption
SPO& Gi%apan !esi%nate! PO& Da$asco as the poseu#-bu2e# %ivin% hi$ a $a#5e! P*(( bill to be use! in the
ent#ap$ent "he tea$ p#ocee!e! to the ta#%et a#ea on boa#! t.o vehicles SPO& Gi%apan, Montefalcon an! the
info#$ant .e#e in one vehicle .hile PO& Da$asco an! PO* O#i% .e#e to%ethe# in the othe# vehicle
"he tea$ a##ive! at the ta#%et place a#oun! /:*( in the $o#nin% "he2 positione! the$selves so$e &(--(
$ete#s f#o$ the alle2 .he#e appellants .e#e alle%e!l2 sta2in% SPO& Gi%apan %ave inst#uctions to the
info#$ant to locate the appellants Afte# seve#al $inutes, the info#$ant ca$e bac5 an! con3#$e! the p#esence
of appellants at RO"C St#eet, Putol, 0%2 Rosa#io, Pasi% Cit2 "he#eafte#, the tea$ p#ocee!e! to the sai!
location
PO& Da$asco an! the info#$ant .ent nea# the appellants .ho .e#e stan!in% >ust outsi!e thei# house "he
info#$ant an! appellants eAchan%e! %#eetin%s Afte# a sho#t conve#sation, 0oton% .ent insi!e thei# house "he
info#$ant int#o!uce! PO& Da$asco to Malou b2 sa2in%, 6I-score itong kaibigan ko. Baka meron ka dyan6
Malou then as5e! PO& Da$asco, 6I-score ka na ba6 Afte# Malou as5e! PO& Da$asco, 6Magkano,6 the latte#
i$$e!iatel2 %ave he# the $a#5e! P*(( bill
Malou calle! 0oton% an! .hen the latte# ca$e out, Malou han!e! to hi$ the $a#5e! $one2 0oton% then %ave
Malou a plastic sachet .hich she han!e! to PO& Da$asco
Afte# eAa$inin% the plastic sachet, PO& Da$asco i$$e!iatel2 %ave the p#e-a##an%e! si%nal to the othe#
$e$be#s of the tea$ .ho the#eafte# #ushe! to the scene PO& Da$asco a##este! Malou .hile SPO& Gi%apan
a##este! 0oton%
SPO& Gi%apan #ecove#e! f#o$ 0oton% the $a#5e! P*(( bill an! afte# f#is5in% hi$, the police ofice# foun! in
0oton%Es poc5et one plastic sachet of .hat loo5e! li5e $a#i>uana an! ei%ht plastic sachets containin% .hite
c#2stalline substance PO& Da$asco i$$e!iatel2 place! 6RAA6 an! the !ate =ul2 1, &((& on the plastic sachet
he b#ou%ht f#o$ Malou an! the plastic sachets con3scate! b2 SPO& Gi%apan f#o$ 0oton%
At the police station, PO& Da$asco p#epa#e! the .#itten #eHuest fo# a labo#ato#2 eAa$ination of the
con3scate! plastic sachets "o%ethe# .ith the #eHuest, the plastic sachets .e#e b#ou%ht b2 PO* O#i% to the
c#i$e labo#ato#2 "he labo#ato#2 tests %ave a positive #esult of the p#esence of $etha$petha$ine
Page 2 of 8
h2!#ochlo#i!e o# .hat is locall2 5no.n as shabu on the contents of nine 7'9 sachets an! $a#i>uana on one 7*9
sachet
"he evi!ence fo# the accuse! .as su$$a#i?e! b2 the CA as follo.s:
0et.een -:-( to /:-( oEcloc5 in the $o#nin% of =ul2 1, &((4, accuse! Rolan!o A#aneta to%ethe# .ith his live-in
pa#tne# an! co-accuse! Ma#ilou Santos .e#e sleepin% on the %#oun! Ioo# of thei# #ente! apa#t$ent, .hen the2
.e#e su!!enl2 a.a5ene! b2 a lou! noise co$in% f#o$ the upstai#s Rolan!o i$$e!iatel2 stoo! up an! t#ie! to
%o up the stai#s "hat .as .hen he $et a $an .ho int#o!uce! hi$self as a police$an "he $an li5e.ise
pointe! a %un to hi$ an! tol! hi$ not to $ove ,e .as then inst#ucte! to sit !o.n, to .hich he acce!e!
"he#eafte#, the $an .ent nea# the !oo# of his house an! opene! the sa$e Su!!enl2, fou# 7/9 othe# police$en
.ent insi!e One of the police$en .ent insi!e the co$fo#t #oo$ an! loo5e! fo# so$ebo!2 @ate#, he hea#! the
sai! police$an utte#, 6Nobo!2 is he#e6 One of the police$en then app#oache! Rolan!o an! as5e! hi$ the
.he#eabouts of a ce#tain "en% Rolan!o ans.e#e! that he !i! not 5no. "en% an! that the#e .as no othe#
pe#son insi!e the house eAcept fo# hi$ an! his .ife Ma#ilou
"he police ope#atives sea#che! his house "he2 ho.eve# foun! nothin% ille%al insi!e his house Afte# the
sea#ch, the police ope#atives invite! Rolan!o an! Ma#ilou to co$e .ith the$ to the p#ecinct to ans.e# so$e
Huestions "he#eat, the police ope#atives info#$e! the$ that the2 a#e bein% cha#%e! fo# thei# involve$ent in
ille%al !#u% activities, .hich the2 vehe$entl2 !enie! PO& Da$asco, ho.eve#, tol! the$ that if the2 .ante! to
be #elease!, Rolan!o an! Ma#ilou $ust pa2 P&(,((((( each Jhen Rolan!o !ecline! to %ive sai! a$ount, the
police ope#atives 3le! the instant cases a%ainst the$ 7"SN, =une &-, &((-, pp &-)9
In the ea#l2 $o#nin% of =ul2 1, &((-, accuse!-appellant Ma#ilou Santos an! he# live-in pa#tne# Rolan!o .e#e
sleepin% .hen the2 .e#e a.a5ene! b2 a noise co$in% f#o$ the secon! Ioo# of thei# house Rolan!o t#ie! to %o
upstai#s to 3n! out .hat happene!, but he $et a $an .ho instantl2 po5e! a %un at hi$ Ma#ilou t#ie! to stan!
up but the police$an tol! he#, 6Sta2 the#e, !onEt $ove6 "he#eafte# the police shove! the$ nea# the chai# ,e
also as5e! Rolan!o the .he#eabouts of "en% but the fo#$e# ans.e#e! that nobo!2 b2 the na$e of "en% live!
the#e Jhile still po5in% the %un on the$, the police$an opene! the !oo# of thei# house <ive 719 police$en
then ente#e! an! con!ucte! a sea#ch
Afte# the sea#ch, the police$en b#ou%ht the$ to the police station "he#eat, PO& Da$asco as5e! the$ seve#al
Huestions Mo$ents late#, the police$an %ot so$ethin% f#o$ the !#a.e# an! tol! the$ that those a#ticles
belon% to the$ Ma#ilou !enie! that the sai! a#ticles belon% to the$ since the police$en !i! not #ecove#
an2thin% f#o$ the$ !u#in% the sea#ch Despite he# !enial, the2 .e#e still cha#%e! .ith Violations of Sections
*1, *4 an! ) of Republic Act '*41 Afte# a .hile, PO& Da$asco !e$an!e! P&(,((((( f#o$ the$ in eAchan%e
fo# thei# #elease As the2 .e#e innocent, Ma#ilou #efuse! to %ive sai! a$ount, p#o$ptin% the police ope#atives
to fo#$all2 cha#%e the$ 7"SN, =ul2 &-, &((-, p -9
In the ea#l2 $o#nin% of =ul2 1, &((&, Ma#ian Ro!#i%ue? .as outsi!e the alle2 in RO"C, Rosa#io, Pasi% Cit2 .hen
she sa. both accuse! %oin% out of the alle2 acco$panie! b2 3ve 719 $en "he accuse! an! the 3ve 719 $en
passe! in f#ont of Ma#ian She hesitate! to follo. the %#oup Since then Ma#ian neve# sa. the accuse! a%ain
7"SN, Septe$be# *(, &((-, pp --/9
In its Ma#ch *&, &((/ Decision, the R"C foun! the accuse! %uilt2 be2on! #easonable !oubt an! sentence!
the$ acco#!in%l2, as follo.s:
J,ERE<ORE, the Cou#t #en!e#s >u!%$ent, as follo.s:
*9 In C#i$inal Case No **/'*-D, the Cou#t 3n!s accuse! Rolan!o A#aneta 2 Abella K 0oton% an! accuse!
Ma#ilou Santos 2 "anta2 A Malou +FI@"L be2on! #easonable !oubt of violation of Sec 1 in #elation to Sec &4,
A#t II of RA '*41, othe#.ise 5no.n as the Co$p#ehensive Dan%e#ous D#u%s Act of &((&, an! i$poses upon
the$ the penalt2 of @I<E IMPRISONMEN" an! to pa2 a 3ne P1((, ((((( eachD an!
&9 In C#i$inal Case No **/'&-D 7.hich abso#be! C#i$inal Case No **/'(-D9, the Cou#t 3n!s accuse!
Rolan!o A#aneta 2 Abella K0oton% +FI@"L be2on! #easonable !oubt of violation of Sec **, A#t II of RA
'*41, othe#.ise 5no.n as the Co$p#ehensive Dan%e#ous D#u%s Act of &((&, an! i$poses upon hi$ the
penalt2 of i$p#ison$ent of f#o$ ".elve 7*&9 2ea#s an! One 7*9 !a2 to ".ent2 7&(9 2ea#s an! to pa2 a 3ne of
P-((, ((((( Consi!e#in% that the accuse! is a !etention p#isone#, he shall be c#e!ite! .ith the pe#io! of his
!etention !u#in% his p#eventive i$p#ison$ent
Page 3 of 8
A A A A A A A A A
SO ORDERED
"he R"C #ule! that all the ele$ents fo# the p#osecution of the ille%al sale of !an%e#ous !#u%s .e#e p#esent
!u#in% the bu2-bust ope#ation con!ucte! b2 the police ofice#s "hese .e#e: *9 the i!entit2 of the bu2e# an! the
selle#D &9 the ob>ect of the sale an! the consi!e#ationD an! -9 the !elive#2 of the thin% sol! an! pa2$ent
the#efo#
<u#the#$o#e, the R"C hel! that the !efense of !enial, f#a$e-up, fo#cible ent#2, an! eAto#tion coul! not p#evail
ove# the positive i!enti3cation b2 the p#osecution .itnesses It note! that accuse! Rolan!o A#aneta .as not
can!i! enou%h to info#$ the cou#t that no less than ei%ht 7)9 c#i$inal cases .e#e p#eviousl2 3le! a%ainst hi$
in !ife#ent cou#ts fo# violation of the Dan%e#ous D#u%s @a. Neve#theless, out of ei%ht 7)9 c#i$inal cases 3le!
a%ainst hi$, he a!$itte! that one #esulte! in a conviction an! t.o othe# cases .e#e !is$isse! "he othe# cases
.e#e then still pen!in% t#ial
A%%#ieve!, the accuse! appeale! to the CA a#%uin% that: *9 the R"C e##e! in not 3n!in% that the2 .e#e
ille%all2 a##este! an!, as such, the sachets of shabu alle%e!l2 #ecove#e! f#o$ the$ .e#e ina!$issible in
evi!enceD an! &9 the R"C e##e! in 3n!in% the$ %uilt2 be2on! #easonable !oubt of the c#i$e cha#%e! because
the testi$onies of the p#osecution .itnesses .e#e #eplete .ith inconsistencies an! cont#a!ictions
On Au%ust &', &((), the CA #en!e#e! the sub>ect !ecision afi#$in% the !ecision of the R"C
In a##ivin% at sai! !ete#$ination, the CA applie! the 6obecti!e test6 in bu2-bust ope#ations lai! !o.n in the
case of "eo#le !. $oria, %&' (CRA ))*, )+*-)++
-
"he CA #ule! that the p#osecution evi!ence $et the stan!a#!
fo# the 6ob>ective test6 th#ou%h the testi$on2 of its .itness, PO& Danilo Da$asco, .ho acte! as #oseur-buyer
an! .ho #elate! ho. the info#$ant int#o!uce! hi$ to the accuse!D ho. the t#ansaction .as consu$$ate!
th#ou%h the eAchan%e of $a#5e! $one2 an! the sachet of shabuD an! ho. the accuse! .as a##este! b2 the
ent#ap$ent tea$
"he CA note! that the accuse! .e#e a##este! in ,agrante delicto an! that othe# cont#aban! $ate#ials .e#e
#ecove#e! f#o$ the$ !u#in% the ensuin% sea#ch It conclu!e! that the cor#us delicti .as !ul2 establishe!
<inall2, the CA state! that the inconsistencies in the testi$onies of the police ofice#s .e#e $ino# o#
inconseHuential "he accuse! faile! to a!!uce evi!ence to ove#th#o. the p#esu$ption of #e%ula#it2 in the
pe#fo#$ance of !ut2 in favo# of the police ofice#s "he accuse! li5e.ise faile! to sho. p#oof that the police
ofice#s !i! not p#ope#l2 pe#fo#$ thei# >obs o# ha! ill $otives a%ainst the$ Mo#eove#, thei# !efense of !enial
an! f#a$e-up fo# eAto#tion pu#poses .as self-se#vin%, ne%ative evi!ence that .as not entitle! to be %iven
%#eate# .ei%ht than the !ecla#ation of c#e!ible .itnesses .ho testi3e! on afi#$ative $atte#s
In !ue ti$e, the accuse! 3le! a $otion fo# #econsi!e#ation st#essin% the ina!$issibilit2 of evi!ence !ue to
thei# ille%al a##est, an! the inconsistenc2 in the testi$onies of p#osecution .itnesses "he2 also pointe! out
that the app#ehen!in% ofice#s faile! to establish that the cor#us delicti 7sachets of shabu o# mariuana9 .e#e
the ve#2 sa$e ones sol! b2 an! sei?e! f#o$ the$ A!!itionall2, the2 clai$e! that the app#ehen!in% tea$, .ho
ha! initial custo!2 ove# the con3scate! !#u% ite$s, faile! to $a5e an invento#2 an! to photo%#aph the sa$e in
thei# p#esence
On Au%ust &/, &((', the CA issue! a #esolution
/
!en2in% thei# $otion fo# #econsi!e#ation "he CA #ule!,
a$on% othe#s, that the issues on the cor#us delicti an! the alle%e! failu#e of the app#ehen!in% tea$ to $a5e
an invento#2 an! to photo%#aph the shabu an! mariuana in the p#esence of the accuse! .e#e ne. issues not
#aise! in thei# appeal b#ief
In thei# #ecou#se to this Cou#t, the accuse! p#esente! onl2 one
ISSUE
)HETHER OR NOT THE ACCUSE*APPELLANTS ARE GUILT' "E'ON REASONA"LE OU"T FOR
+IOLATING SECTIONS , AN 11 OF ARTICLE II OF R.A. No. 916,, OTHER)ISE -NO)N AS THE
.COMPREHENSI+E RUGS ACT OF 2002.
Page 4 of 8
"he accuse! a#%ue that the evi!ence a!!uce! b2 the p#osecution .as not able to establish .ithout a !oubt,
that the !an%e#ous !#u%s p#esente! in cou#t .e#e the ve#2 sa$e ones alle%e!l2 sol! b2 the$ "he2 insist that
the police ofice#s faile! to st#ictl2 abi!e b2 the #eHui#e$ents of the la. as #e%a#!s the p#ope# custo!2 of
!an%e#ous !#u%s sei?e! in the cou#se of the alle%e! bu2-bust ope#ation
"he p#osecution stan!s 3#$ b2 its position that the a##est of the accuse! an! sei?u#e of the shabu an!
$a#i>uana .e#e la.ful an! that the testi$onies of the p#osecution .itnesses .e#e t#uthful In the absence of
an2 c#e!ible evi!ence to the cont#a#2, the police ofice#s a#e p#esu$e! to have #e%ula#l2 pe#fo#$e! thei#
oficial !ut2 Mo#e i$po#tantl2, all the ele$ents necessa#2 fo# the p#osecution of the ille%al sale of !#u%s a#e
p#esent, to .it: *9 the i!entit2 of the bu2e# an! the selle#, the ob>ect an! consi!e#ationD an! &9 the !elive#2 of
the thin% sol! an! pa2$ent the#efo#
"he p#osecution asse#ts that the accuse! cannot #aise fo# the 3#st ti$e on appeal the issue on the alle%e!
failu#e of the la. enfo#ce#s to co$pl2 st#ictl2 .ith Section &* of Republic Act No '*41 At an2 #ate, the
p#osecution believes that it has sho.n that the chain of custo!2 of the sei?e! ite$s .as not b#o5en
THE COURT/S RULING:
Afte# !ue consi!e#ation, the Cou#t 3n!s the evi!ence on #eco#! suficient enou%h to sustain the ve#!ict of
conviction It is $o#all2 convince! that the accuse! a#e %uilt2 be2on! #easonable !oubt of the ofense cha#%e!
a%ainst the$ "he #ule is that factual 3n!in%s of the t#ial cou#t, its calib#ation of the testi$onies of the
.itnesses an! its assess$ent of thei# p#obative .ei%ht a#e %iven hi%h #espect if not conclusive efect, unless
the t#ial cou#t i%no#e!, $isconst#ue!, $isun!e#stoo! o# $isinte#p#ete! co%ent facts an! ci#cu$stances of
substance, .hich, if consi!e#e!, .ill alte# the outco$e of the case
1
In this case, the CA foun! no such
inculpato#2 facts an! ci#cu$stances an! this Cou#t has not stu$ble! upon an2 eithe#
Doubtless, the p#osecution .as able to establish all the necessa#2 ele$ents #eHui#e! in the p#osecution fo#
ille%al sale of !an%e#ous !#u%s, na$el2: *9 the i!entit2 of the bu2e# an! selle#D &9 the i!entit2 of the ob>ect of
the sale an! the consi!e#ationD an! -9 the !elive#2 of the thin% sol! upon pa2$ent
PO& Danilo Da$asco, ("-. $amasco) the #oseur-buyer, clea#l2 an! convincin%l2 na##ate! in !etail the
ent#ap$ent ope#ation the2 ha! con!ucte! that le! to the a##est of the accuse! an! the sei?u#e of the
!an%e#ous !#u%s ,e #elate! on the .itness stan! that upon #eceivin% info#$ation f#o$ a con3!ential
info#$ant about the ille%al sale of !an%e#ous !#u%s b2 the accuse!, the2 i$$e!iatel2 fo#$e! an ent#ap$ent
tea$ to con!uct a bu2-bust ope#ation Fpon #eachin% the a#ea in the ea#l2 $o#nin% of =ul2 1, &((&, he an! the
con3!ential info#$ant app#oache! the accuse! Afte# a b#ief int#o!uction an! sho#t conve#sation, accuse!
0oton% .ent insi!e thei# house .hile accuse! Malou #eceive! the $a#5e! $one2 f#o$ the #oseur-buyer
Malou then calle! 0oton% .ho the#eafte# ca$e out of the house Malou %ave the $a#5e! $one2 to 0oton%
.ho, in tu#n, %ave Malou a plastic sachet containin% a .hite c#2stalline substance "he plastic sachet .as then
han!e! ove# to PO& Da$asco .ho eAa$ine! it an! i$$e!iatel2 %ave the p#e-a##an%e! si%nal to a##est the
accuse! Du#in% the a##est, the $a#5e! $one2 .as #ecove#e! f#o$ Rolan!o an! so .e#e seve#al othe# plastic
sachets containin% .hite c#2stalline substances to%ethe# .ith a plastic sachet containin% $a#i>uana
SubseHuentl2, the accuse! .e#e b#ou%ht to the police station an! the sei?e! ite$s .e#e late# b#ou%ht to the
Police C#i$e @abo#ato#2 Ofice fo# eAa$ination
"he testi$on2 of PO& Da$asco .as co##obo#ate! b2 SPO& Gipa%an, the ent#ap$ent tea$ lea!e#, an! SPO/
Nu$e#iano De @a#a, the ent#ap$ent tea$ o#%ani?e#
Cont#a#2 to the postu#e of the accuse!, the testi$on2 of PO& Da$asco .as clea#, consistent an! convincin% As
co##ectl2 assesse! b2 the CA, his testi$on2 passe! the 6ob>ective test6 in bu2-bust ope#ations
Je the#efo#e st#ess that the 6ob>ective6 test in bu2-bust ope#ations !e$an!s that the &et$012 o3 t4e
56r5orte& tr$%2$ct0o% 762t be c1e$r1! $%& $&e86$te1! 24o9% "his $ust sta#t f#o$ the initial contact
bet.een the poseu#-bu2e# an! the pushe#, the ofe# to pu#chase, the p#o$ise o# pa2$ent of the consi!e#ation
until the consu$$ation of the sale b2 the !elive#2 of the ille%al !#u% sub>ect of the sale "he $anne# b2 .hich
the initial contact .as $a!e, .hethe# o# not th#ou%h an info#$ant, the ofe# to pu#chase the !#u%, the pa2$ent
of the 6bu2-bust6 $one2, an! the !elive#2 of the ille%al !#u%, .hethe# to the info#$ant alone o# the police
ofice#, $ust be the sub>ect of st#ict sc#utin2 b2 cou#ts to insu#e that la.-abi!in% citi?ens a#e not unla.full2
in!uce! to co$$it an ofense C#i$inals $ust be cau%ht but not at all cost At the sa$e ti$e, ho.eve#,
eAa$inin% the con!uct of the police shoul! not !isable cou#ts into i%no#in% the accuse!Es p#e!isposition to
co$$it the c#i$e If the#e is ove#.hel$in% evi!ence of habitual !elinHuenc2, #eci!ivis$ o# plain c#i$inal
Page 5 of 8
p#oclivit2, then this $ust also be consi!e#e! Cou#ts shoul! loo5 at all facto#s to !ete#$ine the p#e!isposition
of an accuse! to co$$it an ofense in so fa# as the2 a#e #elevant to !ete#$ine the vali!it2 of the !efense of
in!uce$ent
4
ME$phasis supplie!N
"he Cou#t loo5e! into the accuse!Es !efense of !enial an! accusations of f#a$e-up, plantin% of evi!ence,
fo#cible ent#2 an! eAto#tion b2 the police ofice#s but foun! the$ inhe#entl2 .ea5 Asi!e f#o$ thei# ba#e
alle%ations, the accuse! ha! nothin% $o#e to sho. that the app#ehen!in% police ofice#s !i! not p#ope#l2
pe#fo#$ thei# !uties o# that the2 ha! ill $otives a%ainst the$ "he2 faile! to substantiate thei# a#%u$ent that
the2 .e#e f#a$e!-up fo# eAto#tion pu#poses
Absent an2 convincin% counte#vailin% evi!ence, the p#esu$ption is that the $e$be#s of the bu2-bust tea$
pe#fo#$e! thei# !uties in a #e%ula# $anne# It .as ce#tainl2 a >ob .ell !one ,ence, the Cou#t %ives full faith
an! c#e!it to the testi$onies of the p#osecution .itnesses
"he Cou#t also hol!s that the sei?e! ite$s .e#e a!$issible A sea#ch .a##ant o# .a##ant of a##est .as not
nee!e! because it .as a bu2-bust ope#ation an! the accuse! .e#e cau%ht in ,agrante delicto in possession of,
an! sellin%, !an%e#ous !#u%s to the #oseur-buyer It .as !e3nitel2 le%al fo# the bu2-bust tea$ to a##est, an!
sea#ch, the$ on the spot because a bu2-bust ope#ation is a >usti3able $o!e of app#ehen!in% !#u% pushe#s A
bu2-bust ope#ation is a fo#$ of ent#ap$ent .he#eb2 .a2s an! $eans a#e #eso#te! to fo# the pu#pose of
t#appin% an! captu#in% the la.b#ea5e#s in the eAecution of thei# c#i$inal plan In this >u#is!iction, the
ope#ation is le%al an! has been p#oven to be an efective $etho! of app#ehen!in% !#u% pe!!le#s, p#ovi!e! !ue
#e%a#! to constitutional an! le%al safe%ua#!s is un!e#ta5en
8

In "eo#le !. /illamin, involvin% an accuse! a##este! afte# he sol! !#u%s !u#in% a bu2-bust ope#ation, the Cou#t
#ule! that it .as a ci#cu$stance .he#e a .a##antless a##est is >usti3e! un!e# Rule **-, Sec 17a9 of the Rules
of Cou#t "he sa$e #ulin% applies to the instant case Jhen ca##ie! out .ith !ue #e%a#! fo# constitutional an!
le%al safe%ua#!s, it is a >u!iciall2 sanctione! $etho! of app#ehen!in% those involve! in ille%al !#u% activities It
is a vali! fo#$ of ent#ap$ent, as the i!ea to co$$it a c#i$e co$es not f#o$ the police ofice#s but f#o$ the
accuse! hi$self "he accuse! is cau%ht in the act an! $ust be app#ehen!e! on the spot <#o$ the ve#2 natu#e
of a bu2-bust ope#ation, the absence of a .a##ant !oes not $a5e the a##est ille%al.
"he ille%al !#u%s sei?e! .e#e not the 6f#uit of the poisonous t#ee6 as the !efense .oul! li5e this Cou#t to
believe "he sei?u#e $a!e b2 the bu2-bust tea$ falls un!e# a sea#ch inci!ental to a la.ful a##est un!e# Rule
*&4, Sec *- of the Rules of Cou#t, .hich pe#tinentl2 p#ovi!es:
A pe#son la.full2 a##este! $a2 be sea#che! fo# !an%e#ous .eapons o# an2thin% .hich $a2 have been use! o#
constitute p#oof in the co$$ission of an ofense .ithout a sea#ch .a##ant
Since the bu2-bust ope#ation .as establishe! as le%iti$ate, it follo.s that the sea#ch .as also vali!, an! a
.a##ant .as li5e.ise not nee!e! to con!uct it
)
'a!!#hi'
It shoul! also be note! that afte# the R"C #en!e#e! a %uilt2 ve#!ict, the accuse! 3le! a $otion fo#
#econsi!e#ation base! on t.o 7&9 %#oun!s, to .it: *9 ina!$issibilit2 of the sei?e! ite$sD an! &9 c#e!ibilit2 of the
p#osecution .itnesses In the CA, the2 #eite#ate! sai! %#oun!s Afte# an unfavo#able !ecision an! #ulin%, the
accuse! a!!e! t.o 7&9 ne. a#%u$ents in thei# $otion fo# #econsi!e#ation, to .it: *9 the app#ehen!in% ofice#s
faile! to establish that the cor#us delicti 7sachets of shabu o# $a#i>uana9 .e#e the ve#2 sa$e ones sol! b2 an!
sei?e! f#o$ the$D an! &9 the app#ehen!in% tea$ .ho ha! initial custo!2 ove# the con3scate! !#u% ite$s faile!
to $a5e an invento#2 an! to photo%#aph the sa$e in thei# p#esence
"he Cou#t totall2 a%#ees .ith the #ulin% of the CA that the issues on the cor#us delicti an! the co$pliance .ith
Section &* of RA No '*41 .e#e issues that .e#e not #aise! b2 the accuse! in thei# appellantsE b#ief, an! .e#e
onl2 p#esente! in thei# $otion fo# #econsi!e#ation f#o$ the !ecision of the CA
,ence, the Cou#t cannot act, $uch less, #ule on sai! ne. points "o !o so .oul! violate basic #ules on fai# pla2
an! !ue p#ocess "hus:
Je point out the !efenseEs failu#e to contest the a!$issibilit2 of the sei?e! ite$s as evi!ence !u#in% t#ial as
this .as the initial point in ob>ectin% to ille%all2 sei?e! evi!ence At the t#ial, the sei?e! shabu .as !ul2
$a#5e!, $a!e the sub>ect of eAa$ination an! c#oss-eAa$ination, an! eventuall2 ofe#e! as evi!ence, 2et at no
instance !i! the appellant $anifest o# even hint that the#e .e#e lapses in the safe5eepin% of sei?e! ite$s that
Page 6 of 8
afecte! thei# a!$issibilit2, inte%#it2 an! evi!entia#2 value In "eo#le !. 0ernande?, .e hel! that ob>ection to
the a!$issibilit2 of evi!ence cannot be #aise! fo# the 3#st ti$e on appealD .hen a pa#t2 !esi#es the cou#t to
#e>ect the evi!ence ofe#e!, he $ust so state in the fo#$ of ob>ection Jithout such ob>ection, he cannot #aise
the Huestion fo# the 3#st ti$e on appeal
'

)HEREFORE, the Au%ust &', &(() Decision of the Cou#t of Appeals, in CA-+R CR-,C No (&-(), is
AFFIRME
SO ORDERED
:OSE CATRAL MENO(A
Associate =ustice
JE CONCFR:
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Associate =ustice
Chai#pe#son
ANTONIO EUARO ". NACHURA
Associate =ustice
TERESITA :. LEONARO*E CASTRO
O
Associate =ustice
IOSAO M. PERALTA
Associate =ustice
A " " E S " A " I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision ha! been #eache! in consultation befo#e the case .as
assi%ne! to the .#ite# of the opinion of the Cou#tEs Division
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Associate =ustice
Chai#pe#son, Secon! Division
C E R " I < I C A " I O N
Pu#suant to Section *-, A#ticle VIII of the Constitution an! the Division Chai#pe#sonEs Attestation, I ce#tif2 that
the conclusions in the above Decision ha! been #eache! in consultation befo#e the case .as assi%ne! to the
.#ite# of the opinion of the Cou#tEs Division
RENATO C. CORONA
Chief =ustice
Foot%ote2
O
Desi%nate! as an a!!itional $e$be# in lieu of =ustice Robe#to A Aba!, pe# Special O#!e# No
'(1 !ate! Octobe# 1, &(*(
*
CA rollo, pp &-*- Penne! b2 Associate =ustice @ucas P 0e#sa$in 7no. a $e$be# of this
Cou#t9 .ith Associate =ustice Estella M Pe#las-0e#nabe an! Associate =ustice Ra$on M 0ato,
=#, concu##in%
&
I! at &&-&)
-
6Je the#efo#e st#ess that the 6ob>ective6 test in bu2 bust ope#ations !e$an!s that the !etails
of the pu#po#te! t#ansaction $ust be clea#l2 an! a!eHuatel2 sho.n "his $ust sta#t f#o$ the
Page 7 of 8
initial contact bet.een the poseu#-bu2e# an! the pushe#, the ofe# to pu#chase, the p#o$ise o#
pa2$ent of the consi!e#ation until the consu$$ation of the sale b2 the !elive#2 of the ille%al
!#u% sub>ect of the sale "he $anne# b2 .hich the initial contact .as $a!e, .hethe# o# not
th#ou%h an info#$ant, the ofe# to pu#chase the !#u%, the pa2$ent of the 6bu2-bust6 $one2, an!
the !elive#2 of the ille%al !#u%, .hethe# to the info#$ant alone o# the police ofice#, $ust be the
sub>ect of st#ict sc#utin2 b2 cou#ts to insu#e that la.-abi!in% citi?ens a#e not unla.full2
in!uce! to co$$it an ofense C#i$inals $ust be cau%ht but not at all cost At the sa$e ti$e,
ho.eve#, eAa$inin% the con!uct of the police shoul! not !isable cou#ts into i%no#in% the
accuse!Es p#e!isposition to co$$it the c#i$e If the#e is ove#.hel$in% evi!ence of habitual
!elinHuenc2, #eci!ivis$ o# plain c#i$inal p#oclivit2, then this $ust also be consi!e#e! Cou#ts
shoul! loo5 at all facto#s to !ete#$ine the p#e!isposition of an accuse! to co$$it an ofense in
so fa# as the2 a#e #elevant to !ete#$ine the vali!it2 of the !efense of in!uce$ent6
/
CA rollo, pp *84-*88
1
"eo#le !. $arlene 1uigod Miranda, +R No *)4/*', Ap#il &-, &(*(
4
"eo#le !. 2oey Tion y Cabaddu, +R No *8&('&, Dece$be# *4, &((', 4() SCRA &''D citin%
"eo#le !. $oria, -4* Phil 1'1 7*'''9
8
Sup#a note 1
)
"eo#le !. 3li4abeth Marcelino y Reyes, +R No *)'&8), =ul2 &4, &(*(
'
"eo#le o5 the "hili##ines !. (itti $omado, +R No *8&'8*, =une *4, &(*(
Page 8 of 8