- Petitioner
- People
- Respondent
- Dalisay
- Citation
- G.R. No. 258060
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Third Division
- Ponente
- CAGUIOA
- Decided
- August 16, 2023
Summary
Edward Dalisay was convicted by lower courts for illegal possession of firearms and dangerous drugs after being arrested during a police surveillance operation in Batangas City on July 22, 2014. Police officers conducted a stop-and-frisk search based on a tip from an informant and their observation of Dalisay displaying what appeared to be a firearm. The search yielded an unlicensed homemade revolver and shabu. The Supreme Court partially granted Dalisay's appeal, affirming his conviction for illegal possession of firearms but acquitting him of the drug charge due to broken chain of custody. The Court emphasized that Section 21 of RA 9165 applies to all drug seizures and that strict compliance with procedural safeguards is essential to preserve the integrity of evidence and protect the constitutional presumption of innocence.