Case Digest: PEOPLE OF THE PHILLIPINES v. BENNY GO 411 SCRA 81 (2003)

PEOPLE OF THE PHILLIPINES v. BENNY GO 411 SCRA 81 (2003)

A raiding team armed with a warrant entered the home of appelant Benny Go in search of evidence for the violation of Republic Act 6425 (Dangerous Drugs Act), otherwise know as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 . Upon their entry, they met Jack Go, son of the Go and restrained him. As the former was the only one present at the time they then called on two barangay kagawad to act as witnesses on the said search. They then seized properties and objects even those which were not included in the warrant. When they were almost finished with their search Go arrived and immediately together with the two witnesses was made to sign the inventory receipt. Based on the evidence taken from the search Go was charged for violation of R.A. 6425. Upon hearing, testimonies as well as evidences were presented by the prosecution against Go. However, the two witnesses questioned the validity of some of the evidence presented such as the inventory receipt as well as the illegal drugs said to have been seized from the search. The Regional Trial Court of Manila convicted Go for violation of the offense charged. On appeal, Go assails the decision of the RTC as well the validity of the search performed by the raiding team and the admissibility of the evidence taken therefrom. Go also asks for the return of the properties seized that were not included in the search warrant.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the properties not included in the search warrant may be returned to go.

HELD:

It bears reiterating that the purpose of the constitutional requirement that the articles to be seized be particularly described in the warrant is to limit the things to be seized to those, and only those, particularly described in the search warrant – to leave the officers of the law with no discretion regarding what articles they should seize. At the same time, the raiding team characterized the seizure of the assorted documents, passports, bankbooks, checks, check writer, typewriter, dry seals and stamp pads as ―seizure of evidence in plain view. Under the plain view doctrine, objects falling in the ―plain view‖ of an officer who has a right to be in the position to have that view are subject to seizure and may be presented as evidence. To be sure, the policemen also filed a complaint against Go for alleged possession of instruments or implements intended for the commission of falsification under paragraph 2 of Article 176 of the Revised Penal Code on the basis of dry seals and rubber stamps also found in appellant‘s residence. The counterfeit nature of the seals and stamps was in fact not established until after they had been turned over to the Chinese embassy and Bureau of Immigration and Deportation for verification. It is, therefore, incredible that SPO1 Fernandez could make such determination from a ―plain view of the items from his vantage point in the sala. In sum, the circumstances attendant to the case at bar do not warrant the application of the ―plain view doctrine to justify the seizure and retention of the questioned seized items. The things belonging to appellant not specifically mentioned in the warrants, like those not particularly described, must thus be ordered returned to him. Be that as it may, considering that the two (2) dry seals and eight (8) of the rubber stamps have been certified to be counterfeit by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, they may not be returned and are hereby declared confiscated in favor of the State to be disposed of according to law. Moreover, the various bankbooks and passports not belonging to appellant may not be ordered returned in the instant proceedings. The legality of a seizure can be contested only by the party whose rights have been impaired thereby, and the objection to an unlawful search and seizure is purely personal and cannot be availed of by third parties.