Dominguez v. People

Summary

Dominguez was charged with illegal possession of shabu under RA 9165 after police allegedly saw him holding a plastic sachet during patrol. The RTC and CA convicted him, finding he was caught in flagrante delicto. However, the Supreme Court acquitted him, ruling that the warrantless arrest was invalid since merely holding a plastic sachet is not a criminal act visible from a distance. The Court held that the seized shabu was inadmissible evidence obtained through unlawful search and seizure, violating constitutional protections. The decision emphasizes that while supporting anti-drug campaigns, convictions require proof beyond reasonable doubt through legally obtained evidence.