THE Supreme Court said law enforcers should strictly follow guidelines for handling confiscated firearms as evidence to ensure fair convictions.
In a decision authored by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Supreme Court en banc acquitted Benjamin Togado of unlawful possession of firearms under Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.The acquittal was based on improper handling and presentation of the confiscated gun as evidence.The evidence, a.45-caliber pistol, its magazine and live ammunition were seized during a search of Togado's home.
It was revealed that the original container was destroyed, and the police could not verify whether the firearm presented in court was the same one confiscated from Togado.The confiscating officer's failure to adhere to the PNP's internal manual on evidence handling has created reasonable doubt on Togado's guilt, the Court said.The Supreme Court said that convictions under Republic Act 10591 cannot rely solely on certificates stating the accused lacks a firearm license.
Issues Guidelines On Confiscated Guns
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Excessively low settlement offers to employees invalid'THE Supreme Court has declared that settlement agreements offering excessively low payments to employees are invalid.
Read more »
Supreme Court: Breaking procurement laws is not outright graftA violation of procurement laws by public officers will not automatically result in a conviction under Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft
Read more »
Presidential Adviser Urges Supreme Court to Disbar Vice President Sara DuterteLarry Gadon, a presidential adviser on poverty alleviation and a disbarred lawyer, is urging the Supreme Court (SC) to initiate a disbarment case against Vice President Sara Duterte over her controversial remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Read more »
Why the Supreme Court blocked Rowena Guanzon’s backdoor entry to CongressOne magistrate, concurring with the ponencia, echoes the petitioners who say that Guanzon performed legal acrobatics showing 'abuse and misuse' of her legal knowledge and influence to justify her substitution as a party-list nominee
Read more »
Supreme Court voids Comelec resolution on substitution of candidatesTHE Supreme Court (SC) has granted the petition of the Duterte Youth Partylist to declare as null and void a Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution allowing the substitution of nominees of P3PWD Partylist beyond the prescribed period.
Read more »
Supreme Court quashes Rowena Guanzon’s congressional dreamsThe High Court grants the petition seeking to nullify Rowena Guanzon's 2022 party-list substitution
Read more »