petitioner, i$ t)e $a*e pro)i-ited drug t)at %a$ &ound in )i$ cu$tod and po$$e$$ion %)en )e %a$ appre)ended at t)e predeparture area o& t)e airport in t)e *orning o& Ca 24, 2003.
In a pro$ecution &or illegal po$$e$$ion o& dangerou$ drug$, t)e &ollo%ing &act$ *u$t -e proven %it) *oral certaint: =1> t)at t)e accu$ed i$ in po$$e$$ion o& t)e o-7ect identi&ied a$ pro)i-ited or regulated drug? =2> t)at $uc) po$$e$$ion i$ not aut)ori/ed - la%? and =3> t)at t)e accu$ed &reel and con$ciou$l po$$e$$ed t)e $aid drug. +)e pro$ecution )a$ $ati$&actoril e$ta-li$)ed t)at airport $ecurit o&&icer$ &ound in t)e per$on o& petitioner t)e *ari7uana &ruiting top$ contained in rolled paper $tic($ during t)e &inal $ecurit c)ec( at t)e airport$ predeparture area.
In People v. 'ohnson, %)ic) al$o involved $ei/ure o& a dangerou$ drug &ro* a pa$$enger during a routine &ri$( at t)e airport, t)i$ ourt ruled t)at $uc) evidence o-tained in a %arrantle$$ $earc) %a$ acuired legiti*atel pur$uant to airport $ecurit procedure$, t)u$:
er$on$ *a lo$e t)e protection o& t)e $earc) and $ei/ure clau$e - epo$ure o& t)eir per$on$ or propert to t)e pu-lic in a *anner re&lecting a lac( o& $u-7ective epectation o& privac, %)ic) epectation $ociet i$ prepared to recogni/e a$ rea$ona-le. Suc) recognition i$ i*plicit in airport $ecurit procedure$. it) increa$ed concern over airplane )i7ac(ing and terrori$* )a$ co*e increa$ed $ecurit at t)e nation$ airport$. a$$enger$ atte*pting to -oard an aircra&t routinel pa$$ t)roug) *etal detector$? t)eir carron -aggage a$ %ell a$ c)ec(ed luggage are routinel $u-7ected to ra $can$. S)ould t)e$e procedure$ $ugge$t t)e pre$ence o& $u$piciou$ o-7ect$, p)$ical $earc)e$ are conducted to deter*ine %)at t)e o-7ect$ are. +)ere i$ little ue$tion t)at $uc) $earc)e$ are rea$ona-le, given t)eir *ini*al intru$ivene$$, t)e gravit o& t)e $a&et intere$t$ involved, and t)e reduced privac epectation$ a$$ociated %it) airline travel. Indeed, traveler$ are o&ten noti&ied t)roug) airport pu-lic addre$$ $$te*$, $ign$, and notice$ in t)eir airline tic(et$ t)at t)e are $u-7ect to $earc) and, i& an pro)i-ited *aterial$ or $u-$tance$ are &ound, $uc) %ould -e $u-7ect to $ei/ure. +)e$e announce*ent$ place pa$$enger$ on notice t)at ordinar con$titutional protection$ again$t %arrantle$$ $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$ do not appl to routine airport procedure$.
etitioner contention t)at &ri$(ing pa$$enger$ at t)e airport i$ a $tandard procedure -ut a$$ail$ t)e conduct o& Soriano and !1 +rotaartolo*e in $ingling )i* out - *a(ing )i* $tretc) out )i$ ar*$ and e*pt )i$ poc(et$. etitioner -elieve$ $uc) *eticulou$ $earc) %a$ unnece$$ar -ecau$e, a$ Soriano )i*$el& te$ti&ied, t)ere %a$ no -eep $ound %)en petitioner %al(ed pa$t t)roug) t)e *etal detector and )ence not)ing $u$piciou$ %a$ indicated - t)at initial $ecurit c)ec(.
+)e court &ound no irregularit in t)e $earc) conducted on petitioner %)o %a$ a$(ed to e*pt t)e content$ o& )i$ poc(et$ upon t)e &ri$(er$ rea$ona-le -elie& t)at %)at )e &elt in )i$ )and %)ile &ri$(ing petitioner$ $)ort pant$ %a$ a pro)i-ited or illegal $u-$tance. Suc) $earc) %a$ *ade pur$uant to routine airport $ecurit procedure, %)ic) i$ allo%ed under Section 9 o& R.". o. 6235. Said provi$ion read$:
S;. 9. ;ver tic(et i$$ued to a pa$$enger - t)e airline or air carrier concerned $)all contain a*ong ot)er$ t)e &ollo%ing condition printed t)ereon: K(older hereof and his hand)carried luggage*s+ are subject to search for, and seizure of, prohibited materials or substances. (older refusing to be searched shall not be allowed to board the aircraft,K %)ic) $)all con$titute a part o& t)e contract -et%een t)e pa$$enger and t)e air carrier.
In eople v. Jo)n$on, t)e ourt$ ruling %a$ al$o applied in eople v. anton:
)ere t)e accu$ed, a &e*ale pa$$enger %a$ &ri$(ed at t)e "I" a&ter pa$$ing t)roug) t)e *etal detector -oot) t)at e*itted a -eeping $ound. Since t)e &ri$(er noticed $o*et)ing -ulging at accu$ed$ a-do*en, t)ig)$ and genital area, %)ic) &elt li(e pac(age$ containing rice granule$, accu$ed %a$ $u-7ected to a t)oroug) p)$ical ea*ination in$ide t)e ladie$ roo*. +)ree $ealed pac(age$ %ere ta(en &ro* accu$ed$ -od %)ic) %)en $u-*itted &or la-orator ea*ination ielded po$itive re$ult$ &or *et)a*p)eta*ine )droc)loride or shabu. "ccu$ed %a$ &ort)%it) arre$ted and pro$ecuted &or illegal po$$e$$ion o& a regulated drug.
"&&ir*ing accu$ed anton$ conviction &or t)e cri*e o& illegal po$$e$$ion o& shabu, %e ruled t)at accu$ed appellant %a$ la%&ull arre$ted %it)out a %arrant a&ter -eing caug)t inflagrante delicto.e &urt)er )eld t)at t)e $cope o& a $earc) pur$uant to airport $ecurit procedure i$ not con&ined onl to $earc) &or %eapon$ under t)e K+err $earc)K1 doctrine.
+)e *ore eten$ive $earc) conducted on accu$ed anton %a$ nece$$itated - t)e di$cover o& pac(age$ on )er -od, )er appre)en$ivene$$ and &al$e $tate*ent$ %)ic) arou$ed t)e $u$picion o& t)e &ri$(er t)at $)e %a$ )iding $o*et)ing illegal.
+)u$:
. It *u$t -e repeated t)at R.". o. 6235 aut)ori/e$sear; for pro;4te# 6aterals or su4stanes. +o li*it t)e action o& t)e airport $ecurit per$onnel to $i*pl re&u$ing )er entr into t)e aircra&t and $ending )er )o*e =a$ $ugge$ted - appellant>, and t)ere- depriving t)e* o& Kt)e a-ilit and &acilit to act accordingl, including to &urt)er $earc) %it)out %arrant, in lig)t o& $uc) circu*$tance$, %ould -e to $anction i*potence and ine&&ectivit in la% en&orce*ent, to t)e detri*ent o& $ociet.K +)u$, t)e $trip $earc) in t)e ladie$ roo* %a$ 7u$ti&ied under t)e circu*$tance$.
+)e $earc) o& t)e content$ o& petitioner$ $)ort pant$ poc(et$ -eing a valid $earc) pur$uant to routine airport $ecurit procedure, t)e illegal $u-$tance =*ari7uana> $ei/ed &ro* )i* %a$ t)ere&ore ad*i$$i-le in evidence. etitioner$ reluctance to $)o% t)e content$ o&
)i$ $)ort pant$ poc(et a&ter t)e &ri$(er$ )and &elt t)e rolled paper$ containing *ari7uana, and )i$ nervou$ de*eanor arou$ed t)e $u$picion o& t)e arre$ting o&&icer$ t)at )e %a$ indeed carring an ite* or *aterial $u-7ect to con&i$cation - t)e $aid aut)oritie$.
+)e ourt &ind$ no *erit in petitioner$ argu*ent t)at t)e nonpre$entation o& S!2 !lande$ca and !2 o7illa a$ %itne$$e$ i$ &atal to t)e pro$ecution$ ca$e.
++.) L@:v$.%EO%LE OF /"E %"ILI%%INE0 &.R. No. 1-'' Fe4ruary $-, $1$
Fats! !2 ;**anuel D. "lte/a, t)en a$$igned at t)e Su-Station 1 o& t)e aga it olice Station a$ a tra&&ic en&orcer, )e $a% t)e accu$ed, %)o %a$ co*ing &ro* t)e direction o& angani-an #rive and going to #iver$ion Road,aga it, driving a *otorccle %it)out a )el*et. +)i$ pro*pted )i* to &lag do%n t)e accu$ed &or violating a *unicipal ordinance %)ic) reuire$ all *otorccle driver$ to %ear )el*et %)ile driving $aid *otor ve)icle. )ile )e and S!1 Ra&ord rillante %ere i$$uing a citation tic(et &or violation o& *unicipal ordinance, )e noticed t)at t)e accu$ed %a$ unea$ and (ept on getting $o*et)ing &ro* )i$ 7ac(et. e %a$ on t)e alert and $o, )e told t)e accu$ed to ta(e out t)e content$ o& t)e poc(et o& )i$ 7ac(et a$ t)e latter *a )ave a %eapon in$ide it. +)e accu$ed o-liged and $lo%l put out t)e content$ o& t)e poc(et o& )i$ 7ac(et %)ic) %a$ a nic(elli(e tin or *etal container a-out t%o =2> to t)ree =3> inc)e$ in $i/e, including t%o =2> cellp)one$, one =1> pair o& $ci$$or$ and one =1> S%i$$ (ni&e. @pon $eeing t)e $aid container, )e a$(ed t)e accu$ed to open it. +)e accu$ed opened t)e container, )e noticed a cartoon cover and $o*et)ing -eneat) it and upon )i$ in$truction, t)e accu$ed $pilled out t)e content$ o& t)e container on t)e ta-le %)ic) turned out to -e &our =4> pla$tic $ac)et$, t)e t%o =2> o& %)ic) %ere e*pt %)ile t)e ot)er t%o =2> contained $u$pected $)a-u
etitioner %a$ convicted &or violation o& +)e #angerou$ #rug$ la%. etitioner clai*$ t)at t)ere %a$ no la%&ul $earc) and $ei/ure, -ecau$e t)ere %a$ no la%&ul arre$t. e clai*$ t)at t)e &inding t)at t)ere %a$ a la%&ul arre$t %a$ erroneou$, $ince )e %a$ not even i$$ued a citation tic(et or c)arged %it) violation o& t)e cit ordinance. ;ven a$$u*ing t)ere %a$ a valid arre$t, )e clai*$ t)at )e )ad never con$ented to t)e $earc) conducted upon )i*.
Issue! )et)er or not t)ere %a$ no la%&ul $earc) and $ei/ure, -ecau$e t)ere %a$ no la%&ul arre$t.
"el#! o, t)ere %a$ no valid arre$t o& petitioner. )en )e %a$ &lagged do%n &or co**itting a tra&&ic violation, )e %a$ not, ip$o &acto and $olel &or t)i$ rea$on, arre$ted.
"rre$t i$ t)e ta(ing o& a per$on into cu$tod in order t)at )e or $)e *a -e -ound to an$%er &or t)e co**i$$ion o& an o&&en$e It i$ e&&ected - an actual re$traint o& t)e per$on to -e arre$ted or - t)at per$on$ voluntar $u-*i$$ion to t)e cu$tod o& t)e one *a(ing t)e arre$t. eit)er t)e application o& actual &orce, *anual touc)ing o& t)e -od, or p)$ical re$traint, nor a &or*al declaration o& arre$t, i$ reuired. It i$ enoug) t)at t)ere -e an intention on t)e part o& one o& t)e partie$ to arre$t t)e ot)er, and t)at t)ere -e an intent on t)e part o& t)e ot)er to $u-*it, under t)e -elie& and i*pre$$ion t)at $u-*i$$ion i$ nece$$ar. @nder R.". 4136, or t)e Dand +ran$portation and +ra&&ic ode, t)e general procedure &or dealing %it) a tra&&ic violation i$ not t)e arre$t o& t)e o&&ender, -ut t)e con&i$cation o& t)e driver$ licen$e o& t)e latter.
+)ere -eing no valid arre$t, t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) t)at re$ulted &ro* it %a$ li(e%i$e illegal.+)e &ollo%ing are t)e in$tance$ %)en a %arrantle$$ $earc) i$ allo%ed: =i> a %arrantle$$ $earc) incidental to a la%&ul arre$t? =ii> $earc) o& evidence in Aplain vie%?B =iii> $earc) o& a *oving ve)icle? =iv> con$ented %arrantle$$ $earc)? =v>cu$to*$ $earc)? =vi> a A$top and &ri$(B $earc)? and =vii> eigent and e*ergenc circu*$tance$.
one o& t)e a-ove*entioned in$tance$, e$peciall a $earc) incident to a la%&ul arre$t, are applica-le to t)i$ ca$e. It *u$t -e noted t)at t)e evidence $ei/ed, alt)oug) alleged to -e inadvertentl di$covered, %a$ not in Aplain vie%.B It %a$ actuall concealed in$ide a *etal container in$ide petitioner$ poc(et. learl, t)e evidence %a$ not i**ediatel apparent. eit)er %a$ t)ere a con$ented %arrantle$$ $earc). eit)er doe$ t)e $earc) uali& under t)e A$top and &ri$(B rule. )ile t)e rule nor*all applie$ %)en a police o&&icer o-$erve$ $u$piciou$ or unu$ual conduct, %)ic) *a lead )i* to -elieve t)at a cri*inal act *a -e a&oot, t)e $top and &ri$( i$ *erel a li*ited protective $earc) o& outer clot)ing &or %eapon$.
+)e &oregoing con$idered, petitioner *u$t -e acuitted. )ile )e *a )ave &ailed to o-7ect to t)e illegalit o& )i$ arre$t at t)e earlie$t opportunit, a %aiver o& an illegal %arrantle$$ arre$t doe$ not, )o%ever, *ean a %aiver o& t)e inad*i$$i-ilit o& evidence $ei/ed during t)e illegal %arrantle$$ arre$t. +)e on$titution guarantee$ t)e rig)t o& t)e people to -e $ecure in t)eir per$on$, )ou$e$, paper$ and e&&ect$ again$t unrea$ona-le $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$. "n evidence o-tained in violation o& $aid rig)t $)all -e inad*i$$i-le &or an purpo$e in an proceeding. )ile t)e po%er to $earc) and $ei/e *a at ti*e$ -e nece$$ar to t)e pu-lic %el&are, $till it *u$t -e eerci$ed and t)e la% i*ple*ented %it)out contravening t)e con$titutional rig)t$ o& citi/en$, &or t)e en&orce*ent o& no $tatute i$ o& $u&&icient i*portance to 7u$ti& indi&&erence to t)e -a$ic principle$ o& govern*ent. +)e $u-7ect ite*$ $ei/ed during t)e illegal arre$t are inad*i$$i-le. +)e drug$ are t)e ver corpu$ delicti o& t)e cri*e o& illegal po$$e$$ion o& dangerou$ drug$. +)u$, t)eir inad*i$$i-ilit preclude$ conviction and call$ &or t)e acuittal o& t)e accu$ed
+(.) %EO%LE v. VILLAREAL
&.R. No. $1+7+ 5ar; 1, $1+
Fats! !n #ece*-er 25, 2006 in t)e *orning, a$ !3 Renato de Deon %a$ driving )i$ *otorccle on )i$ %a )o*e along 5t) "venue, )e $a% appellant &ro* a di$tance o& a-out 8 to 10 *eter$, )olding and $crutini/ing in )i$ )and a pla$tic $ac)et o& $)a-u. !3 de Deon, a *e*-er o& t)e Station "ntiIllegal #rug$Special !peration @nit =S"I#S!@> in aloocan it, alig)ted &ro* )i$ *otorccle and approac)ed t)e appellant %)o* )e recogni/ed a$ $o*eone )e )ad previou$l arre$ted &or illegal drug po$$e$$ion. @pon $eeing
!3 de Deon, appellant tried to e$cape -ut %a$ uic(l appre)ended %it) t)e )elp o& a triccle driver. #e$pite appellant$ atte*pt$ to re$i$t arre$t, !3 de Deon %a$ a-le to -oard appellant onto )i$ *otorccle and con&i$cate t)e pla$tic $ac)et o& $)a-u in )i$ po$$e$$ion. !3 de Deon -roug)t appellant to t)e 9t) "venue olice Station to &i )i$ )andcu&&$, and t)en t)e proceeded to t)e S"I#S!@ o&&ice %)ere !3 de Deon *ar(ed t)e $ei/ed pla$tic $ac)et. Su-$euentl, !3 de Deon turned over t)e *ar(ed evidence a$ %ell a$ t)e per$on o& appellant to t)e inve$tigator, !2 Randul&o ipolito =!2 ipolito> %)o, in turn, eecuted an ac(no%ledg*ent receipt and prepared a letter reue$t &or t)e la-orator ea*ination o& t)e $ei/ed $u-$tance. !2 ipolito per$onall delivered t)e reue$t and t)e con&i$cated ite* to t)e )ilippine ational olice => ri*e Da-orator, %)ic) %ere received - olice Senior In$pector "l-ert "rturo =SI "rturo>, t)e &oren$ic c)e*i$t. @pon ualitative ea*ination it te$ted po$itive &or *et)la*p)eta*ine )droc)loride, a dangerou$ drug.
on$euentl, appellant %a$ c)arged &or illegal po$$e$$ion o& dangerou$ drug$. )en arraigned, appellant entered a plea o& not guilt to t)e o&&en$e )e %a$ c)arged. Su-$euentl, )e %a$ -roug)t to t)e Sangandaan eaduarter$ %)ere t%o ot)er police o&&icer$, %)o$e na*e$ )e recalled %ere KCic)elleK and Kipolito,K too( )i* to t)e )eaduarter$ &iring range. +)ere, )e %a$ &orced to an$%er ue$tion$ a-out a $tolen cellp)one, &iring a gun rig)t -e$ide )i$ ear eac) ti*e )e &ailed to an$%er and eventuall *auling )i* %)en )e continued to den (no%ledge a-out t)e cellp)one."ppellant $u$tained )ead in7urie$ and -roug)t to t)e #io$dado Cacapagal o$pital &or treat*ent. +)e &ollo%ing da, )e under%ent inue$t proceeding$ -e&ore i$cal Guia-, %)o in&or*ed )i* t)at )e %a$ -eing c)arged %it) re$i$ting arre$t and KSection 11.K +)e &ir$t c)arge %a$ eventuall di$*i$$ed.
+)e R+ convicted appellant,&inding t)at all t)e ele*ent$ o& t)e cri*e o& illegal po$$e$$ion o& dangerou$ drug$ )ave -een e$ta-li$)ed. inding no ill *otive on t)e part o& !3 de Deon to te$ti& &al$el again$t appellant, coupled %it) t)e &act t)at t)e &or*er )ad previou$l arre$ted t)e latter &or illegal po$$e$$ion o& drug$ under Repu-lic "ct o. 6425 =R" 6425>, t)e R+ gave &ull &ait) and credit to !3 de Deon$ te$ti*on. Coreover, t)e R+ &ound t)e plain vie% doctrine to -e applica-le, a$ t)e con&i$cated ite* %a$ in plain vie% o& !3 de Deon at t)e place and ti*e o& t)e arre$t. +)e " $u$tained appellant$ conviction, &inding Ka clear ca$e o& in &lagrante delicto %arrantle$$ arre$tK a$ provided under Section 5, Rule 113 o& t)e Revi$ed Rule$ o& ri*inal rocedure. +)e " )eld t)at appellant Ke)i-ited an overt act or $trange conduct t)at %ould rea$ona-l arou$e $u$picion,K aggravated - t)e ei$tence o& )i$ pa$t cri*inal citation$ and )i$ atte*pt to &lee %)en !3 de Deon approac)ed )i*. iting 7uri$prudence, t)e appellate court li(e%i$e ruled t)at t)e pro$ecution )ad adeuatel $)o%n t)e continuou$ and un-ro(en c)ain o& cu$tod o& t)e $ei/ed ite*, &ro* t)e ti*e it %a$ con&i$cated &ro* appellant - !3 de Deon, *ar(ed at t)e police $tation, turned over to !2 ipolito and delivered to t)e cri*e la-orator, %)ere it %a$ received - SI "rturo, t)e &oren$ic c)e*i$t, up to t)e ti*e it %a$ pre$ented in court &or proper identi&ication.
Issue! "-$ent an ot)er circu*$tance upon %)ic) to anc)or a la%&ul arre$t, no ot)er overt act could -e properl attri-uted to appellant a$ to rou$e $u$picion in t)e *ind o& !3 de Deon t)at )e =appellant> )ad 7u$t co**itted, %a$ co**itting, or %a$ a-out to co**it a cri*e, &or t)e act$ per $e o& %al(ing along t)e $treet and ea*ining $o*et)ing in one$ )and$ cannot in an %a -e con$idered cri*inal act$. In &act, even i& appellant )ad -een e)i-iting unu$ual or $trange act$, or at t)e ver lea$t appeared
$u$piciou$, t)e $a*e %ould not )ave -een $u&&icient in order &or !3 de Deon to e&&ect a la%&ul %arrantle$$ arre$t under paragrap) =a> o& Section 5, Rule 113.
eit)er )a$ it -een e$ta-li$)ed t)at t)e rigorou$ condition$ $et &ort) in paragrap) =-> o& Section 5, Rule 113 )ave -een co*plied %it), i.e., t)at an o&&en$e )ad in &act 7u$t -een co**itted and t)e arre$ting o&&icer )ad per$onal (no%ledge o& &act$ indicating t)at t)e appellant )ad co**itted it.
In &ine, appellant$ act$ o& %al(ing along t)e $treet and )olding $o*et)ing in )i$ )and$, even i& t)e appeared to -e du-iou$, coupled %it) )i$ previou$ cri*inal c)arge &or t)e $a*e o&&en$e, are not - t)e*$elve$ $u&&icient to incite $u$picion o& cri*inal activit or to create pro-a-le cau$e enoug) to 7u$ti& a %arrantle$$ arre$t under Section 5 a-oveuoted. urt)er*ore, appellant$ act o& darting a%a %)en !3 de Deon approac)ed )i* $)ould not -e con$trued again$t )i*. lig)t per $e i$ not $non*ou$ %it) guilt and *u$t not al%a$ -e attri-uted to one$ con$ciou$ne$$ o& guilt.
on$euentl, t)ere -eing no la%&ul %arrantle$$ arre$t, t)e $)a-u purportedl $ei/ed &ro* appellant i$ rendered inad*i$$i-le in evidence &or -eing t)e prover-ial &ruit o& t)e poi$onou$ tree. "$ t)e con&i$cated $)a-u i$ t)e ver corpu$ delicti o& t)e cri*e c)arged, appellant *u$t -e acuitted and eonerated &ro* all cri*inal lia-ilit.
+3.) FELICIANO &ALVAN/E v. "ON. ORLANDO C. CA0I5IRO &.R. No. 17$ Aprl $$, $
Fats! In t)e a&ternoon o& Ca 14, 2001 at Sitio a)ian, apatungan, +rento, "gu$an del Sur, private re$pondent$ con&i$cated &ro* petitioner one colt pi$tol $uper .38 auto*atic %it) $erial no. 6H9H3, one $)ort *aga/ine, and nine $uper .38 live a**unition$. +)e con&i$cated *aterial$ %ere covered - an epired Ce*orandu* Receipt. on$euentl, t)e "$$i$tant rovincial ro$ecutor &iled again$t petitioner an In&or*ation or Illegal o$$e$$ion o& irear*$ and "**unition$ in Relation to o**i$$ion on ;lection$ =o*elec> Re$olution o. 3258, doc(eted a$ ri*inal a$e o. 504H, -e&ore t)e Regional +rial ourt =R+>, ro$peridad, "gu$an del Sur. ending re$olution o& ri*inal a$e o. 504H, petitioner &iled again$t private re$pondent$ an ad*ini$trative ca$e, doc(eted a$
"d*ini$trative a$e o. I"S!02000H &or Grave Ci$conduct, -e&ore t)e Internal "&&air$ Service =I"S>, Region EIII, #epart*ent o& Interior and Docal Govern*ent =#IDG>?and a cri*inal ca$e, doc(eted a$ !C020109 &or "r-itrar #etention, Illegal Searc) and Grave +)reat$, -e&ore t)e !*-ud$*an.
etitioner alleged t)at upon arrival at t)e )ou$e o& retired police ercival la/a, toget)er %it) Doren/o Sanoria, #el&in Ra*ire/ and edro Ra*a$, e i**ediatel %ent do%n o& t)e 7eep -ut -e&ore )e could call Cr. la/a, &our police*en in uni&or* -loc(ed )i$ %a. i$ ot)er co*panion$ on t)e 7eep al$o %ent do%n and rai$ed t)eir ar*$ and $)o%ed t)eir %ai$tline %)en t)e $a*e police*en and a per$on in civilian attire )olding an ar*alite al$o pointed t)eir &irear*$ to t)e* to %)ic) Cr. ercival la/a %)o ca*e do%n &ro* )i$ )ou$e told t)e* not to )ara$$ *e a$ I a* al$o a &or*er police o&&icer -ut t)e did not )eed Cr. la/a$ $tate*ent$.
)ile %e %ere rai$ing our ar*$ Qprivate re$pondent S!4 en7a*in onde, Jr. %ent near * o%ner tpe 7eep and conducted a $earc). +o %)ic) I a$(ed t)e* i& t)e )ave an $earc) %arrant. +)at a&ter a %)ile t)e $a% t)e $uper .38 pi$tol under t)e &loor *at o& t)e petitioner$ 7eep and a$(ed &or t)e CR o& t)e &irear* -ut due to &ear t)at t)eir long ar*$ %ere $till pointed to t)e*, e $earc)ed )i$ %allet and gave t)e a$(ed docu*ent. e &urt)er alleged t)at )e %a$ detained - olice )ie& Rocacor-a &or t%o da$ )aving -een relea$ed onl a&ter po$ing a -ail.
on$euentl, petitioner &iled an "&&idavit o& #e$i$tance %it) -ot) t)e I"S and !*-ud$*an a-$olving private re$pondent$ "venido, #egran, Ru&ano and alolot, -ut *aintaining t)e private re$pondent onde alone -e pro$ecuted in -ot) ad*ini$trative and
cri*inal ca$e$. +)e I"S t)en i$$ued a #eci$ion &inding all private re$pondent$ guilt o& grave *i$conduct even i& t)e %ere *erel -eing ent)u$ia$tic in t)e conduct o& t)e arre$t in line o& dut. +)e R+ di$*i$$ed t)e ca$e again$t t)e petitioner. !n t)e ot)er )and, t)e !*-ud$*an di$*i$$ed t)e c)arge$ again$t private re$pondent$ &or lac( o& pro-a-le cau$e.
Issue! )et)er or not t)e !*-ud$*an properl di$*i$$ed t)e cri*inal co*plaint$ &iled again$t t)e private re$pondent$. "el#! e$.
u-lic re$pondent$ di$*i$$al o& t)e cri*inal co*plaint &or illegal $earc) %)ic) petitioner &iled %it) t)e !*-ud$*an again$t private re$pondent$ %a$ proper, alt)oug) t)e rea$on$ pu-lic re$pondent$ cited &or di$*i$$ing t)e co*plaint are rat)er o&& t)e *ar( -ecau$e t)e relied $olel on t)e &inding t)at t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) conducted - private re$pondent$ %a$ valid and t)at t)e "&&idavit o& #e$i$tance %)ic) petitioner eecuted ca$t dou-t on t)e veracit o& )i$ co*plaint. u-lic re$pondent$ co*pletel overloo(ed t)e &act t)at t)e cri*inal co*plaint %a$ not cogni/a-le - t)e !*-ud$*an a$ illegal $earc) i$ not a cri*inal o&&en$e. evert)ele$$, t)e re$ult ac)ieved i$ t)e $a*e: t)e di$*i$$al o& a groundle$$ cri*inal co*plaint &or illegal $earc) %)ic) i$ not an o&&en$e under t)e R. +)u$, t)e ourt need not re$olve t)e i$$ue o& %)et)er or not pu-lic re$pondent$ erred in t)eir &inding on t)e validit o& t)e $earc) &or t)at i$$ue i$ co*pletel )pot)etical under t)e circu*$tance.
+)e on$titution ve$t$ in t)e !*-ud$*an t)e po%er to deter*ine %)et)er t)ere ei$t$ rea$ona-le ground to -elieve t)at a cri*e )a$ -een co**itted and t)at t)e accu$ed i$ pro-a-l guilt t)ereo& and, t)erea&ter, to &ile t)e corre$ponding in&or*ation %it) t)e appropriate court$. +)e ourt re$pect$ t)e relative autono* o& t)e !*-ud$*an to inve$tigate and pro$ecute, and re&rain$ &ro* inter&ering %)en t)e latter eerci$e$ $uc) po%er$ eit)er directl or t)roug) t)e #eput !*-ud$*an, ecept %)en t)e $a*e i$ $)o%n to -e tainted %it) grave a-u$e o& di$cretion a*ounting to lac( or ece$$ o& 7uri$diction.
It i$ noted t)at t)e cri*inal co*plaint %)ic) petitioner &iled %it) t)e !*-ud$*an c)arge$ private re$pondent$ %it) %arrantle$$ $earc), ar-itrar detention, and grave t)reat$.
+)e co*plaint &or=arrantless sear; c)arge$ no cri*inal o&&en$e. +)e conduct o& a %arrantle$$ $earc) i$ not a cri*inal act &or it i$ not penali/ed under t)e Revi$ed enal ode =R> or an ot)er $pecial la%. )at t)e R puni$)e$ are onl t%o &or*$ o& $earc)e$:
"rt. 129.$earch warrants maliciously obtained and abuse in the service of those legally obtained . In addition to t)e lia-ilit attac)ing to t)e o&&ender &or t)e co**i$$ion o& an ot)er o&&en$e, t)e penalt o& arresto mayor in it$ *ai*u* period to prision correccional in it$ *ini*u* period and a &ine not eceeding 1,000.00 pe$o$ $)all -e i*po$ed upon an pu-lic o&&icer
or e*ploee %)o $)all procure a $earc) %arrant %it)out 7u$t cau$e, or, )aving legall procured t)e $a*e, $)all eceed )i$ aut)orit or u$e unnece$$ar $everit in eecuting t)e $a*e.
"rt. 130.$earching domicile without witnesses. +)e penalt o& arresto mayor in it$ *ediu* and *ai*u* period$ $)all -e i*po$ed upon a pu-lic o&&icer or e*ploee %)o, in ca$e$ %)ere a $earc) i$ proper, $)all $earc) t)e do*icile, paper$ or ot)er -elonging$ o& an per$on, in t)e a-$ence o& t)e latter, an *e*-er o& )i$ &a*il, or in t)eir de&ault, %it)out t)e pre$ence o& t%o %itne$$e$ re$iding in t)e $a*e localit.
etitioner did not allege an o& t)e ele*ent$ o& t)e &oregoing &elonie$ in )i$ "&&idavito*plaint? rat)er, )e accu$ed private re$pondent$ o& conducting a $earc) on )i$ ve)icle %it)out -eing ar*ed %it) a valid %arrant. +)i$ $ituation, %)ile la*enta-le, i$ not covered - "rticle$ 129 and 130 o& t)e R.
GR$. 15H8H0, 158633 and 161658 Nove64er +, $
Fats! In 2002, Repu-lic "ct o. 9165 or t)eComprehensive angerous rugs %ct of -- %a$ i*ple*ented. Section 36 t)ereo& reuire$ *andator drug te$ting o& candidate$ &or pu-lic o&&ice, $tudent$ o& $econdar and tertiar $c)ool$, o&&icer$ and e*ploee$ o& pu-lic and private o&&ice$, and per$on$ c)arged -e&ore t)e pro$ecutor$ o&&ice %it) certain o&&en$e$.
In #ece*-er 2003, !C;D; i$$ued Re$olution o. 6486, pre$cri-ing t)e rule$ and regulation$ on t)e *andator drug te$ting o& candidate$ &or pu-lic o&&ice in connection %it) t)e Ca 10, 2004 $nc)roni/ed national and local election$. "uilino i*entel, Jr., a $enator and a candidate &or reelection in t)e Ca election$, &iled a etition &or ertiorari and ro)i-ition under Rule 65. In it, )e $ee($ =1> to nulli& Sec. 36=g> o& R" 9165 and !C;D; Re$olution o. 6486 dated #ece*-er 23, 2003 &or -eing uncon$titutional in t)at t)e i*po$e a uali&ication &or candidate$ &or $enator$ in addition to t)o$e alread provided &or in t)e 198H on$titution? and =2> to en7oin t)e !C;D; &ro* i*ple*enting Re$olution o. 6486.
"ccording to i*entel, t)e on$titution onl pre$cri-e$ a *ai*u* o& &ive =5> uali&ication$ &or one to -e a candidate &or, elected to, and -e a *e*-er o& t)e Senate. e $a$ t)at -ot) t)e ongre$$ and !C;D;, - reuiring, via R" 9165 and Re$olution o. 6486, a $enatorial a$pirant, a*ong ot)er candidate$, to undergo a *andator drug te$t, create an additional uali&ication t)at all candidate$ &or $enator *u$t &ir$t -e certi&ied a$ drug &ree. e add$ t)at t)ere i$ no provi$ion in t)e on$titution aut)ori/ing t)e ongre$$ or !C;D; to epand t)e uali&ication reuire*ent$ o& candidate$ &or $enator.
Cean%)ile, SJS contend$ t)at Section 36=c>=d>=&> and =g> are con$titutionall in&ir* a$ it con$titute$ undue delegation o& legi$lative po%er %)en t)e give un-ridled di$cretion to $c)ool$ and e*ploer$ to deter*ine t)e *anner o& drug te$ting. It al$o violate$ t)e eual protection clau$e a$ it can -e u$ed to )ara$$ a $tudent or e*ploee dee*ed unde$ira-le. +)e con$titutional rig)t again$t unrea$ona-le $earc)e$ i$ al$o -reac)ed. In addition to t)e a-ove*entioned contention$, "tt. Canuel J. Da$erna, Jr., a$ a citi/en and tapaer$ *aintain$ t)at $aid provi$ion $)ould -e $truc( do%n a$ uncon$titutional &or in&ringing on t)e con$titutional rig)t to privac, t)e rig)t again$t unrea$ona-le $earc) and $ei/ure, and t)e rig)t again$t $el&incri*ination, and &or -eing contrar to t)e due proce$$ and eual protection guarantee$.
Issue! )et)er or not Sec 36 o& R" 9165 and Re$olution 6486 are con$titutional. =Section 36 =c> and =d> are con$titutional %)ile =&> and =g> are not >
"el#! o.
o%ever, $ec. 36 W and =d> are valid. i*entel$ contention i$ valid. "ccordingl, Sec. 36 o& R" 9165 i$ uncon$titutional. It i$ -a$ic t)at i& a la% or an ad*ini$trative rule violate$ an nor* o& t)e on$titution, t)at i$$uance i$ null and void and )a$ no e&&ect. +)e on$titution i$ t)e -a$ic la% to %)ic) all la%$ *u$t con&or*? no act $)all -e valid i& it con&lict$ %it) t)e on$titution. In t)e di$c)arge o& t)eir de&ined &unction$, t)e t)ree depart*ent$ o& govern*ent )ave no c)oice -ut to ield o-edience to t)e co**and$ o& t)e on$titution. )atever li*it$ it i*po$e$ *u$t -e o-$erved.
+)e provi$ion A/n0o person elected to any public office shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has undergone mandatory drug test B i$ not tena-le a$ it enlarge$ t)e uali&ication$. !C;D; cannot, in t)e gui$e o& en&orcing and ad*ini$tering election la%$ or pro*ulgating rule$ and regulation$ to i*ple*ent Sec. 36, validl i*po$e uali&ication$ on candidate$ &or $enator in addition to %)at t)e on$titution pre$cri-e$. I& ongre$$ cannot reuire a candidate &or $enator to *eet $uc) additional uali&ication, t)e !C;D;, to -e $ure, i$ al$o %it)out $uc) po%er. +)e rig)t o& a citi/en in t)e de*ocratic proce$$ o& election $)ould not -e de&eated - un%arranted i*po$ition$ o& reuire*ent not ot)er%i$e $peci&ied in t)e on$titution.
+)e rig)t to privac )a$ -een accorded recognition in t)i$ 7uri$diction a$ a &acet o& t)e rig)t protected - t)e guarantee again$t unrea$ona-le $earc) and $ei/ure under Sec. 2, "rt. III o& t)e on$titution. ut %)ile t)e rig)t to privac )a$ long co*e into it$ o%n, t)i$ ca$e appear$ to -e t)e &ir$t ti*e t)at t)e validit o& a $tatedecreed $earc) or intru$ion t)roug) t)e *ediu* o& *andator rando* drug te$ting a*ong $tudent$ and e*ploee$ i$, in t)i$ 7uri$diction, *ade t)e &ocal point. +)u$, t)e i$$ue tendered in t)e$e proceeding$ i$ verita-l one o& &ir$t i*pre$$ion.
+)e e$$ence o& privac i$ t)e rig)t to -e le&t alone. In contet, t)e rig)t to privac *ean$ t)e rig)t to -e &ree &ro* un%arranted eploitation o& one$ per$on or &ro* intru$ion into one$ private activitie$ in $uc) a %a a$ to cau$e )u*iliation to a per$on$ ordinar $en$i-ilitie$. "nd %)ile t)ere )a$ -een general agree*ent a$ to t)e -a$ic &unction o& t)e guarantee again$t un%arranted $earc), Atran$lation o& t)e a-$tract pro)i-ition again$t Xunrea$ona-le $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$ into %or(a-le -road guideline$ &or t)e deci$ion o& particular ca$e$ i$ a di&&icult ta$(,B to -orro% &ro*C. Camara v. 1unicipal Court . "ut)oritie$ are agreed t)oug) t)at t)e rig)t to privac ield$ to certain para*ount rig)t$ o& t)e pu-lic and de&er$ to t)e $tate$ eerci$e o& police po%er.
"$ t)e %arrantle$$ clau$e o& Sec. 2, "rt III o& t)e on$titution i$ couc)ed and a$ )a$ -een )eld, Area$ona-lene$$B i$ t)e touc)$tone o& t)e validit o& a govern*ent $earc) or intru$ion. "nd %)et)er a $earc) at i$$ue )e%$ to t)e rea$ona-lene$$ $tandard i$ 7udged - t)e -alancing o& t)e govern*ent*andated intru$ion on t)e individual$ privac intere$t again$t t)e pro*otion o& $o*e
co*pelling $tate intere$t. In t)e cri*inal contet, rea$ona-lene$$ reuire$ $)o%ing o& pro-a-le cau$e to -e per$onall deter*ined - a 7udge. Given t)at t)e drugte$ting polic &or e*ploee$<<and $tudent$ &or t )at *atter<<under R" 9165 i$ in t)e nature o& ad*ini$trative
- )erein petitioner$. It %ould -e t)e legal )ere$, o& t)e )ig)e$t order, to convict an-od o& a Kviolation o& entral an( Da%$, +ari&& and u$to*$ Da%$, Internal Revenue =ode> and Revi$ed enal ode,K L a$ alleged in t)e a&ore*entioned application$ L %it)out re&erence to an deter*inate provi$ion o& $aid la%$ or
+o up)old t)e validit o& t)e %arrant$ in ue$tion %ould -e to %ipe out co*pletel one o& t)e *o$t &unda*ental rig)t$ guaranteed in our on$titution, &or it %ould place t)e $anctit o& t)e do*icile and t)e privac o& co**unication and corre$pondence at t)e *erc o& t)e %)i*$ caprice or pa$$ion o& peace o&&icer$. +)i$ i$ preci$el t)e evil $oug)t to -e re*edied - t)e con$titutional provi$ion a-ove uoted L to outla% t)e $ocalled general %arrant$.
') AR0ENIO VER&ARA VALDE: v. %EO%LE OF /"E %"ILI%%INE0
&.R. No 1'1 Nove64er $+, $'
Fats! auti$ta te$ti&ied t)at at around 8:00 to 8:30 p.*. o& 1H Carc) 2003, )e %a$ conducting t)e routine patrol along t)e ational ig)%a in aranga San enito orte, "ringa, Da @nion toget)er %it) "rata$ and !rdoNo %)en t)e noticed petitioner, lugging a -ag, alig)t &ro* a *ini-u$. +)etanodso-$erved t)at petitioner, %)o appeared $u$piciou$ to t)e*, $ee*ed to -e loo(ing &or $o*et)ing. +)e t)u$ approac)ed )i* -ut t)e latter purportedl atte*pted to run a%a. +)e c)a$ed )i*, put )i* under arre$t and t)erea&ter -roug)t )i* to t)e )ou$e o& aranga aptain %)ere )e, a$ averred - auti$ta, %a$ ordered - Cercado to open )i$ -ag. etitioner$ -ag allegedl contained a pair o& deni* pant$, eig)teen piece$ o& eggplant and dried *ari7uana leave$ %rapped in ne%$paper and cellop)ane. It %a$ t)en t)at petitioner %a$ ta(en to t)e police $tation &or &urt)er inve$tigation.
R+ convicted t)e accu$ed &or illegal po$$e$$ion o& dangerou$ drug$, a&ter dried *ari7uana leave$ %ere &ound in )i$ po$$e$$ion - t)ree -aranga tanod$ %)o *ade a $earc) on )i*. etitioner denied o%ner$)ip and purported t)at )e )ad 7u$t alig)ted &ro* t)e -u$ %)en one o& t)e -aranga tanod$ approac)ed )i* and reue$ted to $ee t)e content$ o& )i$ -ag$. +)e accu$ed %a$ t)en -roug)t - t)e t)ree tanod$ to t)e )ou$e o& rg. aptain Cercado, %)o again ordered to )ave t)e -ag opened. #uring %)ic), t)e dried *ari7uana leave$ %ere &ound. etitioner pra$ &or )i$ acuittal ue$tioning, alt)oug) &or t)e &ir$t ti*e on appeal, t)at )i$ %arrantle$$ arre$t %a$ e&&ected unla%&ull and t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) t)at &ollo%ed %a$ li(e%i$e contrar to la%.
Issue! )et)er or not t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) o& t)e -ag - t)e -rg. +anod$ %a$ li(e%i$e contrar to la%M "el#! e$.
" $topand&ri$( $ituation, &ollo%ing"erry v. #hio, *u$t precede a %arrantle$$ arre$t, -e li*ited to t)e per$on$ outer clot)ing, and $)ould -e grounded upon a genuine rea$on, in lig)t o& t)e police o&&icer$ eperience and $urrounding condition$, to %arrant t)e -elie& t)at t)e per$on detained )a$ %eapon$ concealed a-out )i*.
Coreover, in eople v. aclaan, t)e ourt )eld t)at, a %aiver o& an illegal %arrantle$$ arre$t doe$ not al$o *ean a %aiver o& t)e inad*i$$i-ilit o& evidence $ei/ed during an illegal %arrantle$$ arre$t. +)e &ollo%ing $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$ are dee*ed per*i$$i-le - 7uri$prudence: =1> $earc) o& *oving ve)icle$ =2> $ei/ure in plain vie% =3> cu$to*$ $earc)e$ =4> %aiver or con$ent $earc)e$ =5> $top and &ri$( $ituation$ =+err Searc)> and =6> $earc) incidental to a la%&ul arre$t.
)en petitioner %a$ arre$ted %it)out a %arrant, )e %a$ neit)er caug)t in &lagrante delicto co**itting a cri*e nor %a$ t)e arre$t e&&ected in )ot pur$uit. 'eril, it cannot t)ere&ore -e rea$ona-l argued t)at t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) conducted on petitioner %a$ incidental to a la%&ul arre$t.
#ou-tle$$, t)e con$titutional i**unit again$t unrea$ona-le $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$ i$ a per$onal rig)t %)ic) *a -e %aived. +)e con$ent *u$t -e voluntar in order to validate an ot)er%i$e illegal detention and $earc), i.e., t)e con$ent i$ uneuivocal, $peci&ic, and intelligentl given, unconta*inated - an dure$$ or coercion. ence, con$ent to a $earc) i$ not to -e lig)tl in&erred, -ut *u$t -e $)o%n - clear and convincing evidence. +)e ue$tion %)et)er a con$ent to a $earc) %a$ in &act voluntar i$ a ue$tion o& &act to -e deter*ined &ro* t)e totalit o& all t)e circu*$tance$. Relevant to t)i$ deter*ination are t)e &ollo%ing c)aracteri$tic$ o& t)e per$on giving con$ent and t)e environ*ent in %)ic) con$ent i$ given: =1> t)e age o& t)e de&endant? =2> %)et)er )e %a$ in a pu-lic or $ecluded
location? =3> %)et)er )e o-7ected to t)e $earc) or pa$$ivel loo(ed on? =4> t)e education and intelligence o& t)e de&endant? =5> t)e pre$ence o& coercive police procedure$? =6> t)e de&endant$ -elie& t)at no incri*inating evidence %ill -e &ound? =H> t)e nature o& t)e police ue$tioning? =8> t)e environ*ent in %)ic) t)e ue$tioning too( place? and =9> t)e po$$i-l vulnera-le $u-7ective $tate o& t)e per$on con$enting. It i$ t)e State %)ic) )a$ t)e -urden o& proving, - clear and po$itive te$ti*on, t)at t)e nece$$ar con$ent %a$ o-tained and t)at it %a$ &reel and voluntaril given.
In t)e ca$e at -ar, &ollo%ing t)e t)eor o& t)e pro$ecutionL it i$ apparent t)at petitioner %a$ alread under t)e coercive control o& t)e pu-lic o&&icial$ %)o )ad cu$tod o& )i* %)en t)e $earc) o& )i$ -ag %a$ de*anded. Coreover, t)e pro$ecution &ailed to prove an $peci&ic $tate*ent a$ to )o% t)e con$ent %a$ a$(ed and )o% it %a$ given, nor t)e $peci&ic %ord$ $po(en - petitioner indicating )i$ alleged Kcon$ent.K ;ven granting t)at petitioner ad*itted to opening )i$ -ag %)en !rdoNo a$(ed to $ee it$ content$, )i$ i*plied acuie$cence, i& at all, could not )ave -een *ore t)an *ere pa$$ive con&or*it given under coercive or inti*idating circu*$tance$ and )ence, i$ con$idered no con$ent at all %it)in t)e conte*plation o& t)e con$titutional guarantee. "$ a re$ult, petitioner$ lac( o& o-7ection to t)e $earc) and $ei/ure i$ not tanta*ount to a %aiver o& )i$ con$titutional rig)t or a voluntar $u-*i$$ion to t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) and $ei/ure.
.) %EO%LE v. VINECARIO
&.R. No. 1(11+' *anuary $, $(
Fats! "cting upon an in&or*ation t)at a 7eepne at "to(, enguet %a$ loaded %it) enguet pine lu*-er, t)e olice o&&icer$ o& +u-la Station $%i&tl e$ta-li$)ed a c)ec(point in "cop, +u-la, enguet. "t around 4:00 p.*. o& t)e $a*e da, t)e operative$ $potted t)e 7eepne )eading to%ard Da +rinidad. +)e &lagged it do%n -ut it did not $top. ence, t)e c)a$ed t)e ve)icle up to S)ilan, Da +rinidad %)ere it &inall )alted. +)e driver and )i$ co*panion$ ad*itted t)e )ave no per*it to tran$port t)e lu*-er. +)e police i**ediatel arre$ted and inve$tigated petitioner$, Car$o In$iong #u*pit, "r*ando ala$i, and en "rino$. !nl petitioner$ %ere c)arged %it) violation o& Section 68 o& t)e Revi$ed ore$tr ode.
etitioner$, t)roug) coun$el, &iled a KCotion to Suppre$$ ;vidence o& t)e ro$ecutionK on t)e ground t)at t)e piece$ o& enguet pine lu*-er %ere illegall $ei/ed. ut it %a$ denied, $o a$ t)eir *otion &or recon$ideration. !n "ppeal, t)e " di$*i$$ed t)e petition and )eld t)at t)e $earc) conducted %it)out %arrant - t)e police o&&icer$ i$ valid? and t)at t)e con&i$cated piece$ o& lu*-er are ad*i$$i-le in evidence again$t t)e accu$ed. etitioner$ &iled a *otion &or recon$ideration o& t)e #eci$ion. o%ever, it %a$ denied, )ence t)i$ petition.
Issue! )et)er or not t)e $earc) and $ei/ure conducted - t)e o&&icer$ are valid. "el#! e$.
ence, a$ a general rule, a $earc) and $ei/ure *u$t -e carried t)roug) %it) 7udicial %arrant, ot)er%i$e, $uc) $earc) and $ei/ure con$titute$ derogation o& a con$titutional rig)t.
+)e a-ove rule, )o%ever, i$ not devoid o& eception$. InPeople v. $arap, t)e eception$ %)ere $earc) and $ei/ure *a -e conducted %it)out %arrant, are: =1> $earc) incident to a la%&ul arre$t? =2> $earc) o& a *oving *otor ve)icle? =3> $earc) in violation o& cu$to*$ la%$? =4> $ei/ure o& t)e evidence in plain vie%? =5> $earc) %)en t)e accu$ed )i*$el& %aive$ )i$ rig)t again$t unrea$ona-le $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$? =6> $top and &ri$(? and =H> eigent and e*ergenc circu*$tance$. +)e onl reuire*ent in t)e$e eception$ i$ t)e pre$ence o& pro-a-le cau$e. ro-a-le cau$e i$ t)e ei$tence o& $uc) &act$ and circu*$tance$ %)ic) %ould lead a rea$ona-le, di$creet, and prudent *an to -elieve t)at an o&&en$e )a$ -een co**itted and t)at t)e o-7ect$ $oug)t in connection %it) t)e o&&en$e are in t)e place to -e $earc)ed. In People v. %ruta, it %a$ ruled t)at in %arrantle$$ $earc)e$, pro-a-le cau$e *u$t onl -e -a$ed on rea$ona-le ground o& $u$picion or -elie& t)at a cri*e )a$ -een co**itted or i$ a-out to -e co**itted. +)ere i$ no )ard and &a$t rule or &ied &or*ula in deter*ining pro-a-le cau$e &or it$ deter*ination varie$ according to t)e &act$ o& eac) ca$e.
ere, t)e $earc) involved a *oving ve)icle, an in$tance %)ere a %arrantle$$ $earc) and $ei/ure *a -e conducted - peace o&&icer$. +)ere i$ al$o pro-a-le cau$e on t)e part o& t)e o&&icer$ &or t)e %arrantle$$ arre$t -ecau$e %)en t;ey fla22e# t;e <eepney #o=n, t ## not stop, forn2 t;e pole to ;ase t untl t rea;e# 0;lan, La /rn#a# .A sear; of t;e ve;le #slose# several pees of >en2uet pne lu64er. %ettoners oul# not pro#ue t;e re?ure# DENR per6t to ut an# transport t;e sa6e.
InPeople v. &inecarao, t)e ourt ruled t)at %)ere a ve)icle $ped a%a a&ter noticing a c)ec(point and even a&ter )aving -een &lagged do%n - police o&&icer$, in an apparent atte*pt to di$$uade t)e police &ro* proceeding %it) t)eir in$pection, t)ere ei$t$ pro-a-le cau$e to 7u$ti& a rea$ona-le -elie& on t)e part o& t)e la% en&orcer$ t)at t)e per$on$ on -oard $aid ve)icle %ere o&&icer$ o& t)e la% or t)at t)e ve)icle contained o-7ect$ %)ic) %ere in$tru*ent$ o& $o*e o&&en$e.
&.R. No. L+33 Oto4er $', 1-+$
Fats! +)e c)ie& $ecret $ervice agent and a $upervi$ing agent o& t)e ureau o& Internal Revenue received a report &ro* a relia-le $ource t)at t)ere are pro)i-ited &raudulent -oo($, invoice$ and record$, ei$t and -eing conducted in Ru-io$ )ou$e, and t)at )e =Ru-io> (eep$ in )i$ po$$e$$ion e&&ect$ and device$ to %it: raudulent -oo($ o& t)e Si*ple +rading orporation O o& $u-$idiar co*panie$ ara*ount +rading orporation O e% or( +rading orp. +)u$, a $earc) %arrant %a$ i$$ued. !n t)e $a*e da, internal revenue agent$ proceeded to t)e place indicated in t)e %arrant, $earc)ed t)e pre*i$e$, and too( t)ere&ro* -oo($, invoice$, and docu*ent$ -elonging to t)e Si*ple +rading orporation o& %)ic) Jo$e Ru-io %a$ t)e *anager.
Ru-io &iled a *otion to declare null and void a $earc) %arrant i$$ued on #ece*-er 26, 1930, and to )ave returned to )i* t)e -oo($ o& account, invoice$, and record$ %)ic) %ere $ei/ed - virtue o& t)e %arrant. o%ever, t)e *otion %a$ denied.
Issues! )et)er or not t)e $earc) %arrant %a$ illegalM
)et)er or not t)at t)e $ei/ure o& appellant$ -oo($ and paper$ %a$ *ade $olel &or t)e purpo$e o& u$ing t)e* a$ evidence again$t )i* in a cri*inal pro$ecution and %a$, t)ere&ore, unla%&ulM
"el#! o.
+)e reuire*ent$ o& t)e la% %ere $u-$tantiall, and even literall, co*plied %it) in t)i$ ca$e. "ppellant$ contention t)at t)e $earc) %arrant %a$ i$$ued %it)out t)e co*plainant$ or an %itne$$e$ )aving -een ea*ined, i$ untena-le. +)e depo$ition$ $pea( &or t)e*$elve$. It i$ al$o contended t)at t)e application and t)e %arrant did not particularl de$cri-e t)e t)ing$ to -e $ei/ed. +)e veri&ied $tate*ent$ o& t)e t%o internal revenue agent$ and t)e %arrant i$$ued - t)e ourt o& ir$t In$tance o& Canila all de$cri-e t)e propert $oug)t to -e $ei/ed a$ K&raudulent -oo($, invoice$ and record$K. )ile it i$ true t)at t)e propert to -e $ei/ed under a %arrant *u$t -e particularl de$cri-ed t)erein and no ot)er propert can -e ta(en t)ereunder, et t)e de$cription i$ reuired to -e $peci&ic onl in $o &ar a$ t)e circu*$tance$ %ill ordinaril allo%. It )a$ -een )eld t)at, %)ere, - t)e nature o& t)e good$ to -e $ei/ed, t)eir de$cription *u$t -e rat)er general, it i$ not reuired t)at a tec)nical de$cription -e given, a$ t)i$ %ould *ean t)at no %arrant could i$$ue. "ppellant )a$ not $)o%n t)at t)e internal revenue agent$ eceeded t)eir po%er$ under t)e %arrant - $ei/ing propert ot)er t)an t)at de$cri-ed in t)e %arrant ue$tion. +)e li$t o& -oo($, invoice$, and record$ $ei/ed - $aid o&&icer$ i$ t)e -e$t evidence to $)o% t)at t)e $trictl o-eed t)e co**and o& t)eir %arrant - $ei/ing t)o$e t)ing$, and onl t)o$e de$cri-ed in t)e $earc) %arrant.
In t)e ca$e at -ar, )o%ever, it )a$ -een $)o%n t)at t)e internal revenue agent$ $trictl o-eed t)e co**and o& t)eir %arrant - $ei/ing no ot)er propert t)an t)at de$cri-ed t)erein.
o.
In t)e &ir$t place, it i$ to -e o-$erved t)at t)e pu-lic )a$ an intere$t in t)e proper regulation o& appellant$ -oo($. ="ct o. 3292, $ection 4.> In t)e $econd place, t)e -oo($ -elonged to a corporation o& %)ic) t)e appellant %a$ $i*pl t)e *anager. "nd in t)e t)ird place, t)e $earc) %arrant onl i$$ued on a $)o%ing o& pro-a-le cau$e L to adopt t)e language ali(e o& $ection 96 o& t)e ode o& ri*inal rocedure and t)e $earc) %arrant L t)at K&raudulent -oo($, invoice$, and record$K %ere Kno% -eing u$ed in t)e co**i$$ion o& a &elon.K inall, %)ile t)e a$$ertion i$ o&trepeated t)at t)e -oo($, invoice$, and record$ %ere ta(en $olel &or t)e purpo$e o& -eing u$ed a$ evidence again$t Ru-io, %e &ind no $upport &or t)i$ contention in t)e record. In t)e trial court, t)e a$$i$tant cit &i$cal $aid: K"$ %e )ave $tated a-ove, t)e $earc) and $ei/ure in t)i$ ca$e %ere *ade under t)e provi$ion$ o& t)e internalrevenue la%$ and t)e aut)orit o& a $earc) %arrant, and not &or t)e purpo$e o& o-taining evidence, -ut %it) a vie% to $ei/e t)e in$tru*ent$ u$ed in t)e violation o& $aid la%$ co**itted - t)e de&endant.K !n appeal, t)e pro$ecution per$i$tentl *aintain$ it$ po$ition t)at t)e $ei/ure %a$ *ade %it) t)e o-7ect o& preventing t)e u$e o& t)e -oo($ o& account, docu*ent$, and paper$ in t)e co**i$$ion o& & urt)er o&&en$e$ or &raud or again$t t)e Govern*ent. ot a $cintilla o& evidence i$ to -e &ound in t)e record to prove t)at t)e Govern*ent )a$ u$ed t)e -oo($ o& account, docu*ent$, and paper$ a$ evidence again$t t)e appellant, or t)at t)e Govern*ent ever )ad t)e intention o& $o doing. "ll %e (no% i$, t)at an in&or*ation %a$ &iled again$t Ru-io, c)arging )i* %it) a violation o& t)e u$to*$ Da%, and t)at )e co*pro*i$ed
anot)er ca$e %it) t)e ureau o& Internal Revenue on t)e pa*ent o& t)e $u* o& 100,000. !n t)i$ $)o%ing, %e per&orce cannot deduce t)at t)e -oo($ o& account, docu*ent$, and paper$ %ere %anted $olel &or u$e a$ evidence o& a cri*e.
1.) %EO%LE v. /@A:ON
3+$ 0CRA 13$ 0epte64er $, $'
Fats! "ntipolo it olice Station received t)roug) telep)one, a con&idential in&or*ation t)at a Ge*ini car -earing plate nu*-er 4116%ould deliver an un$peci&ied a*ount o& shabu in Carville Su-divi$ion, "ntipolo it. "cting on $aid tip, "ntipolo it )ie& o&
olice Ca7or Rene Fuintana di$patc)ed a tea* o& police*en to t)e area to conduct a $urveillance. )en t)e tea* arrived in Carville Su-divi$ion, t)e $a% t)e $aid Ge*ini car and i**ediatel &lagged it do%n. +)e driver o& t)e car pulled to a $top and opened a %indo% o& $aid ve)icle giving t)e police*en t)e opportunit to identi& t)e*$elve$ a$ *e*-er$ o& t)e "ntipolo it olice Station. It %a$ t)en t)at !1 Canuel adlan =!1 adlan> $a% a gun tuc(ed on appellant$ %ai$t. !1 adlan inuired a-out t)e gun and appellant allegedl replied it did not -elong to )i* nor could )e produce an pertinent docu*ent relating to $aid &irear*. +)i$ pro*pted !3 ueno to order appellant to get do%n &ro* t)e car. "$ $oon a$ appellant $tepped do%n &ro* t)e ve)icle, !3 ueno $a% &ive pla$tic $ac)et$ on t)e driver$ $eat, t)e content$ o& %)ic) appellant allegedl ad*itted to -e shabu. "ppellant %a$ t)erea&ter i**ediatel -roug)t to t)e police $tation.
;pectedl, appellant pre$ented a va$tl di&&erent account o& t)e event$ t)at led to )i$ indict*ent, )o%ever, t)e trial court &ound t)e evidence pre$ented - t)e pro$ecution $u&&icient to $upport a guilt verdict. "ppellant clai*$ t)at a$ t)e con&idential in&or*ant )ad -een cooperating %it) t)e police &or t)ree %ee($ prior to )i$ arre$t, t)e aut)oritie$ %ere alread in&or*ed o& )i$ identit and )i$ alleged illegal activitie$. +)e $)ould )ave conducted a prior $urveillance and t)en $oug)t a $earc) %arrant &ro* t)e court. "-$ent $aid %arrant, t)eshabu $ei/ed &ro* )i* $)ould -e ecluded &ro* evidence. In $u$taining t)e trial court, t)e ourt o& "ppeal$ &ound !3 ueno$ te$ti*on to -e Kclear and uneuivocalK and $)ould t)ere&ore prevail over appellant$ de&en$e o& denial. +)e ourt o& "ppeal$ li(e%i$e -ru$)ed a$ide appellant$ contention t)at )e %a$ a victi* o& &ra*eup a$ t)i$ de&en$e )a$ -een vie%ed %it) di$&avor and )a$ -eco*e a $tandard line o& de&en$e in *o$t pro$ecution$ ari$ing &ro* violation$ o& t)e #angerou$ #rug$ "ct.
Issue! )et)er or not t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) and $ei/ure %a$ validM "el#! e$.
+)e con$titutional provi$ion$ again$t %arrantle$$ $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$ ad*it o& certain eception$, a$ &ollo%$: =1> %arrantle$$ $earc) incidental to a la%&ul arre$t recogni/ed under Section 12, Rule 126 o& t)e Rule$ o& ourt and - prevailing 7uri$prudence? =2> $ei/ure o& evidence in plain vie%? =3> $earc) o& a *oving ve)icle? =4> con$ented %arrantle$$ $earc)? =5> cu$to*$
$earc)? =6> $top and &ri$(? and =H> eigent and e*ergenc circu*$tance$.
evert)ele$$, t)e eception &ro* $ecuring a $earc) %arrant %)en it co*e$ to *oving ve)icle$ doe$ not give t)e police aut)oritie$ un-ridled di$cretion to conduct a %arrantle$$ $earc) o& an auto*o-ile. In recognition o& t)e po$$i-le a-u$e, 7uri$prudence dictate$ t)at at all ti*e$, it i$ reuired t)at pro-a-le cau$e ei$t in order to 7u$ti& t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) o& a ve)icle.
)en a ve)icle i$ &lagged do%n and $u-7ected to an eten$ive $earc), $uc) a %arrantle$$ $earc) )a$ -een )eld to -e valid a$ long a$ t)e o&&icer$ conducting t)e $earc) )ave rea$ona-le or pro-a-le cau$e to -elieve prior to t)e $earc) t)at t)e %ould &ind t)e in$tru*entalit or evidence pertaining to a cri*e, in t)e ve)icle to -e $earc)ed.
In t)i$ ca$e, t)e police )ad pro-a-le cau$e to e&&ect t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) o& t)e Ge*ini car driven - appellant. " con&idential in&or*er tipped t)e* o&& t)at $aid car %a$ going to delivershabu at Carville Su-divi$ion. ur$uing $aid lead, t)e "ntipolo it police $ent a tea* to Carville Su-divi$ion to *onitor $aid ve)icle. +)e in&or*ation provided - t)e in&or*er turned out to -e correct a$, indeed, t)e Ge*ini car %a$ $potted in t)e place %)ere it %a$ $aid to -e -ringingshabu. )en t)e $topped t)e car, t)e $a% a gun tuc(ed in appellant$ %ai$t. "ppellant did not )ave an docu*ent to $upport )i$ po$$e$$ion o& $aid &irear* %)ic) all t)e *ore $trengt)ened t)e police$ $u$picion. "&ter )e %a$ told to $tep out o& t)e car, t)e &ound on t)e driver$ $eat pla$tic $ac)et$ containing %)ite po%der $u-$tance. +)e$e circu*$tance$, ta(en toget)er, are $u&&icient to e$ta-li$) pro-a-le cau$e &or t)e %arrantle$$ $earc) o& t)e Ge*ini car and t)e eventual ad*i$$ion into evidence o& t)e pla$tic pac(et$ again$t appellant.
In an ca$e, appellant &ailed to ti*el o-7ect to t)e ad*i$$i-ilit o& t)e evidence again$t )i* on t)e ground t)at t)e $a*e %a$ o-tained t)roug) a %arrantle$$ $earc).
11.) 0/E%"EN 09 v. %EO%LE
&.R. No. 1$1' Au2ust 13, $11
Fats: o& t)e #u*aguete it olice Station received a telep)one call &ro* a concerned citi/en t)at an illegal drug trade %a$ going on at Pone 3, aranga Dooc, #u*aguete it. )ile %al(ing at t)e pat)%a going to t)e interior portion o& Pone 3, aranga Dooc, at a di$tance o& a-out t%o =2> *eter$ a%a, t)e $a% a *an, later identi&ied a$ t)e Qpetitioner in t)i$ ca$e, ea*ining a tran$parent pla$tic $ac)et containing $)a-u po%der - &lic(ing t)e $a*e. +)e approac)ed t)e Qpetitioner, introduced t)e*$elve$ a$ police*en and announced )i$ arre$t &or illegal po$$e$$ion o& dangerou$ drug. R+, a&ter &inding t)at t)e pro$ecution )a$ e$ta-li$)ed all t)e ele*ent$ o& t)e o&&en$e c)arged, rendered a #eci$ion convicted petitioner o& violation o& Section 11, "rticle II o& R" o. 9165. @pon appeal, t)e " rendered a #eci$ion a&&ir*ingin totot)e deci$ion o& t)e R+.
Issue! et)er or not t)e )onora-le court o& appeal$ erred in )olding t)at t)e rig)t o& t)e petitioner again$t unla%&ul $earc)e$ and $ei/ure$ %a$ not violated.
"el#! o.
Section 5, Rule 113 o& t)e Rule$ o& ourt provide$:
Sec 5. %rrest without warrant, when lawful " peace o&&icer or a private per$on *a , %it)out a %arrant, arre$t a per$on: =a> )en, in )i$ pre$ence, t)e per$on to -e arre$ted )a$ co**itted, i$ actuall co**itting or i$ atte*pting to co**it an o&&en$e?
=-> )en an o&&en$e )a$ 7u$t -een co**itted and )e )a$ pro-a-le cau$e to -elieve -a$ed on per$onal (no%ledge o& &act$ or circu*$tance$ t)at t)e per$on to -e arre$ted )a$ co**itted it? and
=c> )en t)e per$on to -e arre$ted i$ a pri$oner %)o )a$ e$caped &ro* a penal e$ta-li$)*ent or place %)ere )e i$ $erving &inal 7udg*ent or i$ te*poraril con&ined %)ile )i$ ca$e i$ pending, or )a$ e$caped %)ile -eing tran$&erred &ro* one con&ine*ent to anot)er.
orolarill, t)e 198H on$titution $tate$ t)at a $earc) and con$euent $ei/ure *u$t -e carried out %it) a 7udicial %arrant? ot)er%i$e, it -eco*e$ unrea$ona-le and an evidence o-tained t)ere&ro* $)all -e inad*i$$i-le &or an purpo$e in an proceeding. Said pro$cription, )o%ever, ad*it$ o& eception$, na*el:
1. arrantle$$ $earc) incidental to a la%&ul arre$t? 2. Searc) o& evidence in Kplain vie%?K
3. Searc) o& a *oving ve)icle? 4. on$ented %arrantle$$ $earc)? 5. u$to*$ $earc)?
6. Stop and ri$(? and
H. ;igent and e*ergenc circu*$tance$
)at con$titute$ a rea$ona-le or unrea$ona-le %arrantle$$ $earc) or $ei/ure i$ purel a 7udicial ue$tion, deter*ina-le &ro* t)e uniuene$$ o& t)e circu*$tance$ involved, including t)e purpo$e o& t)e $earc) or $ei/ure, t)e pre$ence or a-$ence o& pro-a-le cau$e, t)e *anner in %)ic) t)e $earc) and $ei/ure %a$ *ade, t)e place or t)ing $earc)ed, and t)e c)aracter o& t)e article$ procured.
In $earc)e$ incident to a la%&ul arre$t, t)e arre$t *u$t precede t)e $earc)? generall, t)e proce$$ cannot -e rever$ed. evert)ele$$, a $earc) $u-$tantiall conte*poraneou$ %it) an arre$t can precede t)e arre$t i& t)e police )ave pro-a-le cau$e to *a(e t)e arre$t at t)e out$et o& t)e $earc). "lt)oug) pro-a-le cau$e elude$ eact and concrete de&inition, it ordinaril $igni&ie$ a rea$ona-le ground o& $u$picion $upported - circu*$tance$ $u&&icientl $trong in t)e*$elve$ to %arrant a cautiou$ *an to -elieve t)at t)e per$on accu$ed i$ guilt o& t)e o&&en$e %it) %)ic) )e i$ c)arged.
In t)e ca$e at -ar, t)e e$ta-li$)ed &act$ reveal t)at on June 11, 2005, !3 aelogo, an Intelligence !perative o& t)e #u*aguete it olice Station, received in&or*ation &ro* a concerned citi/en t)at an illegal drug trade %a$ going on at Pone 3, aranga Dooc, #u*aguete it. +oget)er %it) !3 auera, !3 aelogo i**ediatel acted on t)e in&or*ation and %ent to t)e place. )ile traver$ing t)e pat)%a going to t)e interior portion o& Pone 3, aranga Dooc, t)e $a% petitioner, at a di$tance o& t%o =2> *eter$, ea*ining and &lic(ing a tran$parent pla$tic $ac)et containing $)a-u po%der. +)e t%o t)en approac)ed petitioner, introduced t)e*$elve$ a$ police o&&icer$, and announced t)e )e i$ -eing arre$ted &or illegal po$$e$$ion o& dangerou$ drug$. )ile -eing in&or*ed o& )i$ con$titutional rig)t$ during t)e arre$t, petitioner tried to e$cape - -oarding )i$ *otorccle. )ile %re$tling %it) !3 aelogo, petitioner dropped t)e $ac)et o& $)a-u on t)e ground, %)ic) %a$ pic(ed up - !3 auera. +)e police o&&icer$ eventuall %ere a-le to $u-due and )andcu&& petitioner. @pon $earc)ing )i$ per$on, t)e al$o &ound in )i$ po$$e$$ion a di$po$a-le lig)ter. +)e $ei/ed $ac)et %a$ *ar(ed on location. +)e t)en -roug)t petitioner, toget)er %it) t)e ite*$ $ei/ed, to t)e police $tation and conducted a proper inventor t)ereo&. +)e )eat$ealed tran$parent $ac)et containing %)ite cr$talline $u-$tance %a$ $u-*itted to t)e ri*e Da-orator &or drug ea*ination, %)ic) later ielded po$itive re$ult$ &or t)e pre$ence o& *et)a*p)eta*ine )droc)loride, a dangerou$ drug under R" o. 9165.
1$.) %EO%LE v. 5AN@EL CR@:
&.R. No. 1'(' *une 13, $11
Fats! +)e pro$ecution %itne$$ te$ti&ied t)at a a *ale in&or*ant ca*e in %it) an in&or*ation t)at a certain alia$ Caning %a$ engaged in $elling illegal drug$ at Sitio de "$i$, aranga San Cartin de orre$, araNaue it. "ccordingl, a -u-u$t operation again$t alia$ Caning %a$ planned and a tea* %a$ &or*ed. "t around 5:00 p.*., t)e -u-u$t tea*, toget)er %it) t)e *ale in&or*ant, proceeded to t)e target area on -oard t%o ve)icle$. "t t)i$ 7uncture t)at alia$ Caning %a$ arre$ted and %a$ -roug)t to t)e o&&ice o& #"I#S!+, Sout)ern olice #i$trict, ort oni&acio, +aguig, Cetro Canila, &or inve$tigation and proper docu*entation. In t)e cour$e t)ereo&, alia$ Caning %a$ later on identi&ied to -e Canuel ru/ ru/, t)e )erein appellant.
+)e trial court, convinced on t)e *erit$ o& t)e pro$ecution$ ca$e, convicted t)e accu$ed %it) t)e cri*e o& illegal $ale onl. +)e a a&&ir*ed in toto t)e deci$ion o& t)e R+, and ratiocinated t)at accu$ed %a$ caug)t co**itting t)e o&&en$e %)ile )e %a$ in t)e act o& pa$$ing t)e $)a-uto !2 QGallano in ec)ange &or 2,000.00, t)u$, t)e %ere 7u$ti&ied in arre$ting )i* and $ei/ing t)e *aterial$ %it)out %arrant.
Issue! )et)er or not t)e arre$t and $ei/ure %a$ la%&ul. "el#! e$.
In eople v. Se*-rano citing eople v. "gula, t)i$ ourt )eld t)at a -u-u$t operation i$ a &or* o& entrap*ent %)ic) in recent ear$ )a$ -een accepted a$ a valid and e&&ective *ode o& appre)ending drug pu$)er$. I& carried out %it) due regard &or con$titutional and legal $a&eguard$, a -u-u$t operation, a$ in t)i$ ca$e, de$erve$ 7udicial $anction. Coreover, in a -u-u$t operation, t)e violator i$ caug)t in &lagrante delicto and t)e police o&&icer$ conducting t)e $a*e are not onl aut)ori/ed -ut al$o dut-ound to appre)end t)e violator and con$euentl $earc) )i* &or ant)ing t)at *a )ave -een part o& or u$ed in t)e co**i$$ion o& t)e cri*e.
In t)e ca$e at -enc), a&ter t)e police operative$ o& #"I#S!+, Sout)ern olice #i$trict, ort oni&acio, +aguig, Cetro Canila, received in&or*ation &ro* t)eir *ale in&or*ant regarding appellant$ cri*inal activit, an entrap*ent plan %a$ t)en $et up. +)e $a*e
%a$ *ade $peci&icall to te$t t)e veracit o& t)e in&or*ant$ tip and to $u-$euentl arre$t t)e *ale&actor i& t)e report i$ &ound to -e true. +)e pro$ecution$ evidence po$itivel $)o%ed t)at appellant agreed to $ell $)a-u to t)e po$eur-uer, %)o %a$ introduced to )i* - t)e *ale in&or*ant. e %a$, in &act, caug)t red)anded pling )i$ illegal trade. +)u$, t)e %arrantle$$ arre$t o& t)e appellant %a$ legal and %it)in t)e con&ine$ o& la%. In t)e $a*e -reat), it cannot -e dou-ted t)at t)e $ac)et o& $)a-u $ei/ed &ro* )i* during t)e legiti*ate -u-u$t operation i$ ad*i$$i-le and %a$ properl ad*itted in evidence again$t )i*.
"ppellant$ a$$ertion t)at )e %a$ 7u$t &ra*ed up a$ t)e $)a-u $ei/ed &ro* )i* %a$ planted evidence $o )e can -e pro$ecuted &or t)e illegal $ale t)ereo& &ind$ no $upport in evidence.
1+.) A>RA"A5 5ICLA/, *R. v. %EO%LE &.R. No. 1'7''
Fats! aloocan it olice StationS#;@ received an a in&or*ation a-out an illicit and do%nrig)t drugtrading activitie$ -eing underta(en along al*era Spring II, agu*-ong, aloocan it involving "-e Ciclat, il alia$ Ko(-o(K and one Cic or Jo7o. I**ediatel, a $urveillance tea* %a$ &or*ed.
+)ru a $*all opening in t)e curtaincovered %indo%, !3 "ntonio peeped in$ide and )e $a% K"-eK arranging $everal piece$ o& $*all pla$tic $ac)et$ containing $)a-u. Slo%l, $aid operative inc)ed )i$ %a in - gentl pu$)ing t)e door a$ %ell a$ t)e pl%ood covering t)e $a*e. @pon gaining entrance, !3 "ntonio &ort)%it) introduced )i*$el& a$ a police o&&icer %)ile K"-e,K on t)e ot)er )and, a&ter -eing in&or*ed o& $uc) aut)orit, voluntaril )anded over to t)e &or*er t)e &our =4> piece$ o& $*all pla$tic $ac)et$ t)e latter %a$ earlier $orting out. !3 "ntonio i**ediatel placed t)e $u$pect under arre$t and -roug)t )i* and t)e &our =4> piece$ o& pla$tic $ac)et$ o& $)a-u to t)eir )eaduarter$. +)e $u$pect %a$ identi&ied a$ "-ra)a* Ciclat er-o a.(.a K";,K 19 ear$ old. +)u$, an in&or*ation %a$ &iled again$t t)e accu$ed, and upon arraign*ent, )e pleaded not guilt.
+)e R+ convicted t)e accu$ed %it) t)e cri*e o& illegal po$$e$$ion o& drug$ %)ic) t)e " a&&ir*ed in toto upon appeal. ence, t)i$ petition %)ere petitioner argue$ t)at -eing $een in t)e act o& arranging $everal pla$tic $ac)et$ in$ide t)eir )ou$e - one o& t)e arre$ting o&&icer$ %)o %a$ peeping t)roug) a %indo% i$ not $u&&icient rea$on &or t)e police aut)oritie$ to enter )i$ )ou$e %it)out a valid $earc) %arrant andor %arrant o& arre$t. e al$o po$it$ t)at peeping t)roug) a curtaincovered %indo% cannot -e conte*plated a$ %it)in t)e *eaning o& t)e plain vie% doctrine, rendering t)e %arrantle$$ arre$t unla%&ul.
Issue! )et)er or not peeping t)roug) a curtain i$ %it)in t)e *eaning o& plain vie% doctrine a$ to 7u$ti& t)e arre$t o& t)e accu$ed and t)e $ei/ing o& t)e $ac)et$.
"el#! e$.
'eril, no le$$ t)an t)e 198H on$titution *andate$ t)at a $earc) and con$euent $ei/ure *u$t -e carried out %it) a 7udicial %arrant? ot)er%i$e, it -eco*e$ unrea$ona-le, and an evidence o-tained t)ere&ro* $)all -e inad*i$$i-le &or an purpo$e in an proceeding. +)e rig)t again$t %arrantle$$ $earc)e$ and $ei/ure, )o%ever, i$ $u-7ect to legal and 7udicial eception$, na*el: 1.> arrantle$$ $earc) incidental to a la%&ul arre$t? 2.> Searc) o& evidence in Kplain vie%K? 3.> Searc) o& a *oving ve)icle? 4.> on$ented %arrantle$$ $earc)? 5.> u$to*$ $earc)? 6.> Stop and ri$(? and H.> ;igent and e*ergenc circu*$tance$.
It i$ to -e noted t)at petitioner %a$ caug)t in t)e act o& arranging t)e )eat$ealed pla$tic $ac)et$ in plain $ig)t o& !3 "ntonio and )e voluntaril $urrendered t)e* to )i* upon learning t)at )e i$ a police o&&icer. +)e $ei/ure *ade - !3 "ntonio o& t)e &our pla$tic $ac)et$ &ro* t)e petitioner %a$ not onl incidental to a la%&ul arre$t, -ut it al$o &all$ %it)in t)e purvie% o& t)e Kplain vie%K doctrine.
!-7ect$ &alling in plain vie% o& an o&&icer %)o )a$ a rig)t to -e in a po$ition to )ave t)at vie% are $u-7ect to $ei/ure even %it)out a $earc) %arrant and *a -e introduced in evidence. +)e Kplain vie%K doctrine applie$ %)en t)e &ollo%ing reui$ite$ concur: =a> t)e la% en&orce*ent o&&icer in $earc) o& t)e evidence )a$ a prior 7u$ti&ication &or an intru$ion or i$ in a po$ition &ro* %)ic) )e can vie% a particular area? =-> t)e di$cover o& evidence in plain vie% i$ inadvertent? =c> it i$ i**ediatel apparent to t)e o&&icer t)at t)e ite* )e o-$erve$ *a -e evidence o& a cri*e, contra-and or ot)er%i$e $u-7ect to $ei/ure. +)e la% en&orce*ent o&&icer *u$t la%&ull *a(e an initial intru$ion or properl -e in a po$ition &ro* %)ic) )e can particularl vie% t)e area. In t)e cour$e o& $uc) la%&ul intru$ion, )e ca*e inadvertentl acro$$ a piece o& evidence incri*inating t)e accu$ed. +)e o-7ect *u$t -e open to ee and )and and it$ di$cover inadvertent.
It i$ clear, t)ere&ore, t)at an o-7ect i$ in plain vie% i& t)e o-7ect it$el& i$ plainl epo$ed to $ig)t. Since petitioner$ arre$t i$ a*ong t)e eception$ to t)e rule reuiring a %arrant -e&ore e&&ecting an arre$t and t)e evidence $ei/ed &ro* t)e petitioner %a$ t)e re$ult o& a %arrantle$$ $earc) incidental to a la%&ul arre$t, %)ic) incidentall %a$ in plain vie% o& t)e arre$ting o&&icer, t)e re$ult$ o& t)e en$uing $earc) and $ei/ure %ere ad*i$$i-le in evidence to prove petitioner$ guilt o& t)e o&&en$e c)arged.
