Flores v. People

Summary

This Supreme Court case involved petitioners Jhany Flores y Cabreros and Leonardo Sarmiento y Tupasi who were convicted of illegal possession of dangerous drugs under RA 9165. They challenged their conviction on grounds of illegal warrantless arrest and non-compliance with chain of custody rules. The Supreme Court ruled that while the warrantless arrest objection was waived, the prosecution failed to establish an unbroken chain of custody. The inventory was conducted only in the presence of a barangay kagawad, without the mandatory presence of DOJ or media representatives as required by RA 9165 as amended. The Court emphasized that the presence of insulating witnesses is a high prerogative requirement, and the prosecution's failure to provide justifiable grounds for their absence created serious doubts about the corpus delicti's integrity. Consequently, the Court acquitted both petitioners based on reasonable doubt, highlighting the critical importance of strict compliance with chain of custody procedures in dangerous drugs cases.