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The Right Against Unreasonable Searches & Seizures:

A BASIC GUIDE
By Atty. Alexis F. Medina 1 San Sebastian College, Institute o !a"
Se#tions $ and % &$' o A(ti#le III o t)e Constitution *(o+ide, "SECTION 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whate er nature and for an! purpose shall be in iolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue e"cept upon probable cause to be deter#ined personall! b! the $udge after e"a#ination under oath or affir#ation of the co#plainant and the witnesses he #a! produce, and particularl! describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.% &SEC '. " " " (2) *n! e idence obtained in iolation of " " " the preceding section shall be inad#issible for an! purpose in an! proceeding.%

GUIDE OUTLINE
1. -o" to dete(.ine i t)e sea(#) o( sei/u(e +iolates t)e Constitutional *(o)ibition $. -o" to dete(.ine i t)e sea(#) o( sei/u(e is a go+e(n.ent a#tion %. -o" to dete(.ine i t)e sea(#) o( sei/u(e is un(easonable 0. -o" to dete(.ine t)e legal #onse1uen#es o t)e unla" ul sea(#) o( sei/u(e

I.
1

*tt!. *le"is +. ,edina. *- .olitical Science, /ni ersit! of the .hilippines (/.), 0ili#an1 Order of the .urple +eather (O.+), /., College of 2aw1 3aledictorian, San Sebastian College, ,anila, Institute of 2aw1 Senior *ssociate, .once Enrile 4e!es 5 ,anlastas 2aw Offices (&.ecabar%)

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DOES T E SEAR! OR SEI"URE #IOLATE T E !ONSTITUTION$

%rotection guarantee&: I''unit( o) *ersons+ not *laces
2)e (ig)t against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es is t)e i..unity o one3s *e(son, ")i#) in#ludes )is (esiden#e, )is *a*e(s, and ot)e( *ossessions. 2)e gua(antee (e e(s to 4t)e (ig)t o *e(sonal se#u(ity4 o t)e indi+idual. 5)at is soug)t to be *(ote#ted against t)e State3s unla" ul int(usion a(e *e(sons, not *la#es. 2o #on#lude ot)e("ise "ould lead to t)e absu(d logi# t)at o( a *e(son to be i..une against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es, )e .ust be in )is )o.e o( o i#e, "it)in a en#ed ya(d o( a *(i+ate *la#e. 2)e Bill o 6ig)ts belongs as .u#) to t)e *e(son in t)e st(eet as to t)e indi+idual in t)e san#tua(y o )is bed(oo.. $

,asic Re-uire'ents )or the constitutional *rohibition to a**l( 2)e sea(#) o( sei/u(e +iolates t)e *(o)ibition unde( Se#tion $, A(ti#le III o t)e 1789 Constitution, i it is, 1. a go+e(n.ent o( state a#tion: and $. ;un(easonable< Re-uire'ent No..: Go/ern'ent0State action Rule: 2)e sea(#) o( sei/u(e .ust be an a#tion by t)e go+e(n.ent o( state, ot)e("ise t)e Constitutional *(o)ibition against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es and t)e ex#lusiona(y (ule "ill not a**ly. % 2)e *(ote#tion against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es *(os#(ibes only ;go+e(n.ental a#tion.< It is ;")olly ina**li#able to a sea(#) o( sei/u(e, e+en an un(easonable one, e e#ted by a *(i+ate indi+idual not a#ting as an agent o t)e Go+e(n.ent o( "it) t)e *a(ti#i*ation o( =no"ledge o any go+e(n.ental o i#ial.4 0 Reason: 2)e #onstitutional *(os#(i*tion against unla" ul sea(#)es and sei/u(es a**lies as a (est(aint di(e#ted only against t)e go+e(n.ent and its agen#ies tas=ed "it) t)e en o(#e.ent o t)e la". It #ould only be in+o=ed
$
3

.eople . 3aldez, 26 Septe#ber 2777 .eople . -angcarawan, '89 SC4* 626, :: ;ul! 27721 .eople . ,arti, :<' SC4* 6=, :8 ;anuar! :<<: 4 /nited States . ;acobsen, 0>> U.S. 1?7 &1780'. Note that in the /nited States, the State *ction 0octrine was originall! applied to +irst *#end#ent rights (freedo# of speeh, religion, association, asse#bl!) and +ourteenth *#end#ent rights (due process and e>ual protection).

Page |% against t)e State. @ 2)is is be#ause Bill o 6ig)ts go+e(ns t)e (elations)i* bet"een t)e indi+idual and t)e state, and not t)e (elation bet"een *(i+ate indi+iduals. >

Re-uire'ent No. 1: 2Unreasonable3 Search or Seizure 4hat the constitution *rohibits are 2unreasonable3 searches an& seizures.
2)e #onstitutional gua(antee is not a blan=et *(o)ibition against all sea(#)es and sei/u(es as it o*e(ates only against ;un(easonable< sea(#)es and sei/u(es. Sea(#)es and sei/u(es a(e as a (ule un(easonable unless aut)o(i/ed by a +alidly issued sea(#) "a((ant o( "a((ant o a((est. 9 ;6easonableness< is t)e tou#)stone o t)e +alidity o a go+e(n.ent sea(#) o( int(usion. 8 2Reasonable3 searches an& seizures are allo5e& 2)e Constitutional *(os#(i*tion against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es does not, o #ou(se, o(estall (easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(e. 5)at #onstitutes a (easonable o( e+en an un(easonable sea(#) in any *a(ti#ula( #ase is *u(ely a Audi#ial 1uestion, dete(.inable (o. a #onside(ation o t)e #i(#u.stan#es in+ol+ed. 7

II. IS T E SEAR! OR SEI"URE A GO#ERN6ENT A!TION$

.eople . -angcarawan, '89 SC4* 626, :: ;ul! 27721 .eople . ,arti, :<' SC4* 6=, :8 ;anuar! :<<:1 see also .eople . ?ipol, 97= SC4* :=<, 22 ;ul! 277') 6 See .eople . ,arti :8, :<' SC4* 6= ;anuar! :<<:1 .eople . ,endoza, '7: SC4* @@, :8 ;anuar! :<<<1 -urdeau . ,c0owell (26@ /S 9@6 (:<2:), State . -r!an (96= ..2d @@: A:<@8B1 CalDer . State (92< S.C.2d :2:), -ernas . /S ('=' +.2d 6:=) 7 .eople . 2ibnao, '<6 SC4* 97=, 27 ;anuar! 277' 8 Social ;ustice Societ! . 0angerous 0rugs -oard, 6=7 SC4* 9::, 7' No e#ber 2778 7 .eople . Chua ?o San, := ;une :<<<

Page |0 Rule: A search b( a *ri/ate in&i/i&ual+ 5ithout the inter/ention o) the *olice+ is not co/ere& b( the constitutional *rohibition
I t)e sea(#) is .ade at t)e be)est o( initiati+e o t)e *(o*(ieto( o a *(i+ate establis).ent o( its o"n and *(i+ate *u(*oses, and "it)out t)e inte(+ention o *oli#e aut)o(ities, t)e (ig)t against un(easonable sea(#) and sei/u(e #annot be in+o=ed.1? 2)us, in .eople . -angcarawan, 11t)e baggage o t)e a##used "as sea(#)ed by t)e +essel se#u(ity *e(sonnel. It "as only a te( t)ey ound shabu inside t)e suit#ase t)at t)ey #alled t)e P)ili**ine Coast Gua(d o( assistan#e. 2)e Su*(e.e Cou(t (uled t)at t)e sea(#) and sei/u(e o t)e suit#ase and t)e #ont(aband ite.s "e(e #a((ied out "it)out go+e(n.ent inte(+ention, and )en#e, t)e sea(#) did not #o.e unde( t)e Constitutional *(o)ibition, and t)e sei/ed shabu "as dee.ed ad.issible as e+iden#e.

III. IS T E SEAR! OR SEI"URE 2UNREASONA,LE3$

Unreasonable Searches an& Seizures .. Unreasonable: Searches an& seizures 5ithout a 5arrant
A sea(#) and sei/u(e .ust be #a((ied t)(oug) o( "it) a Audi#ial "a((ant: ot)e("ise, su#) sea(#) and sei/u(e be#o.es ;un(easonable.< 1$ Sea(#)es, sei/u(es and a((ests a(e no(.ally un(easonable unless aut)o(i/ed by a +alidly issued sea(#) "a((ant o( "a((ant o a((est. 1% Bo a((est, sea(#) and sei/u(e #an be .ade "it)out a +alid "a((ant issued by a #o.*etent Audi#ial aut)o(ity. 2)e Constitution gua(antees t)e (ig)t o t)e *eo*le to be se#u(e in t)ei( *e(sons, )ouses, *a*e(s and e e#ts against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es. 10 2)e Constitution ba(s State int(usions to a *e(son3s body, *e(sonal e e#ts o( (esiden#e ex#e*t i #ondu#ted by +i(tue o a +alid sea(#) "a((ant issued in #o.*lian#e "it) t)e *(o#edu(e outlined in t)e Constitution and (eite(ated in t)e 6ules o Cou(t:
10 11

.eople . ,arti, :<' SC4* 6=, :8 ;anuar! :<<: '89 SC4* 626, :: ;ul! 2772 12 .eople . Nue as, 6:@ SC4* 9@', 22 +ebruar! 277=1 .eople . Co#pacion, '@: SC4* 697, 27 ;ul! 277:1 .eople . 3aldez, '96 SC4* '6=, 26 Septe#ber 27771 .eople . Tudtud, 982 SC4* :92, 2@ Septe#ber 277'1 .ita . Court of *ppeals, :=8 SC4* '@2,76 October :<8<1 .eople . Chua ?o San, '78 scra 9'2, := ;une :<<<1 .eople . -arros, 2': SC4* 66=, 6@6 1% 0a id . ,acapagalE*rro!o 98< SC4* :@2, 7' ,a! 277@ 14 .eople . 3aldez, 7' ,arch :<<<

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;ot)e("ise su#) sea(#) and sei/u(e be#o.e Cun(easonableD "it)in t)e .eaning o t)e a o(e.entioned #onstitutional *(o+ision. 1@

1.

Unreasonable: Searches an& seizures un&er an in/ali& 5arrant

I t)e sea(#) "a((ant is null and +oid, t)e sea(#)es and sei/u(es .ade t)e(ein a(e illegal.1> 2)e sea(#) "a((ant .ust st(i#tly #o.*ly "it) t)e (e1ui(e.ents o t)e Constitution and t)e statuto(y *(o+isions. Failu(e to #o.*ly "it) any (e1ui(e.ent .andated by la" o( t)e issuan#e o a sea(#) "a((ant (ende(s su#) sea(#) "a((ant in+alid, t)e subse1uent sea(#) unla" ul, and e+iden#e obtained t)e(e (o. inad.issible. 19 I t)e sea(#) "a((ant is null and +oid, t)e sea(#)es and sei/u(es .ade t)e(ein a(e illegal.18 Requisites for a valid search warrant &1' It .ust be issued u*on *(obable #ause: &$' 2)e *(obable #ause .ust be dete(.ined by t)e Audge )i.sel and not by t)e a**li#ant o( any ot)e( *e(son: &%' In t)e dete(.ination o *(obable #ause, t)e Audge .ust exa.ine, unde( oat) o( a i(.ation, t)e #o.*lainant and su#) "itnesses as t)e latte( .ay *(odu#e: and &0' 2)e "a((ant issued .ust *a(ti#ula(ly des#(ibe t)e *la#e to be sea(#)ed and *e(sons o( t)ings to be sei/ed.17 A sea(#) "a((ant s)all not issue ex#e*t u*on *(obable #ause in #onne#tion "it) one s*e#i i# o ense to be dete(.ined *e(sonally by t)e Audge a te( exa.ination unde( oat) o( a i(.ation o t)e #o.*lainant and t)e "itnesses )e .ay *(odu#e, and *a(ti#ula(ly des#(ibing t)e *la#e to be sea(#)ed and t)e t)ings to be sei/ed ")i#) .ay be any")e(e in t)e P)ili**ines. $? Probable cause for a search warrant: Defined 2)e existen#e o su#) a#ts and #i(#u.stan#es ")i#) "ould lead a (easonably dis#(eet and *(udent .an to belie+e t)at an o ense )as been #o..itted and t)at t)e obAe#ts soug)t in #onne#tion "it) t)e o ense a(e in t)e *la#e to be sea(#)ed. $1
15 16

.eople . Chua ?o San, := ;une :<<<1 .eople . -arros 2': SC4* 66=, 6@6 See Stonehill . 0ioDno, 27 SC4* '8', :< ;une :<@=1 -ache and Co., (.hil.) Inc. . 4uiz, '= SC4* 82', 2= +ebruar! :<=: 17 See .eople . ,a#aril 22, 927 SC4* @@2, ;anuar! 27791 .ICO. . *suncion, '7= SC4* 26', :< ,a! :<<<1 See also *sian Suret! . ?errera, 69 SC4* ':2, 27 0ece#ber :<='1 *l arez . C+I Ta!abas, @9 .hil '', 2< ;anuar! :<'=1 -urgos . Chief of Staff, :'' SC4* 877, 0ece#ber :<89
18

See Stonehill . 0ioDno, 27 SC4* '8', :< ;une :<@=1 -ache and Co., (.hil.) Inc. . 4uiz, '= SC4* 82', 2= +ebruar! :<=: 19 Section 2, *rticle III, :<8= Constitution1 ?on Ne Chan . ?onda ,otor, 69: SC4* 29<, :< 0ece#ber 277=
20

Section 9, 4ule :2@, 4ules of Court

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Probable cause: How determined 2o be dete(.ined *e(sonally by t)e Audge a te( exa.ination unde( oat) o( a i(.ation o t)e #o.*lainant and )is "itnesses )e .ay *(odu#e. $$ Probable cause: Personal knowledge required Absent t)e ele.ent o *e(sonal =no"ledge by t)e a**li#ant o( )is "itnesses o t)e a#ts u*on ")i#) t)e issuan#e o a sea(#) "a((ant .ay be Austi ied, t)e "a((ant is dee.ed not based on *(obable #ause and is a nullity, its issuan#e being, in legal #onte.*lation, a(bit(a(y.$% Search warrant does not justify search & sei ure of any evidence A sea(#) "a((ant is not a s"ee*ing aut)o(ity o( a is)ing ex*edition to sei/e and #on is#ate any and all =inds o e+iden#e o( a(ti#les (elating to a #(i.e. Bot)ing s)ould be le t to t)e dis#(etion o t)e o i#e( exe#uting t)e "a((ant. $0 !est of "articularity of descri"tion A sea(#) "a((ant .ay be said to *a(ti#ula(ly des#(ibe t)e t)ings to be sei/ed ")en t)e des#(i*tion t)e(ein is as s*e#i i# as t)e #i(#u.stan#es "ill o(dina(ily allo": o( ")en t)e des#(i*tion ex*(esses a #on#lusion o a#t E not o la" E by ")i#) t)e "a((ant o i#e( .ay be guided in .a=ing t)e sea(#) and sei/u(e: o( ")en t)e t)ings des#(ibed a(e li.ited to t)ose ")i#) bea( di(e#t (elation to t)e o ense o( ")i#) t)e "a((ant is being issued. $@

GENERAL RULE: A search or seizure b( the go/ern'ent 5ithout a 7u&icial 5arrant is unreasonable an& thus+ illegal.

E8!E%TIONS TO T E GENERAL RULE: 4arrantless searches that are 2reasonable3 an&+ thus+ /ali&
2)e Constitutional *(os#(i*tion against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es does not o(estall (easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(e. 5)at #onstitutes a (easonable o(

21

Son! ,usic . Espanol, et al., 96' SC4* '@7, :9 ,arch 27761 Nala . -arroso, 978 SC4* 62<, 7= *ugust 277'1 Santos . .r!ce Fases, 6'8 SC4* 9=9, 2' No e#ber 277=) $$ Section 2, *rticle III, :<8= Constitution
$%
24 25

(Son! ,usic . Espanol, et al., 96' SC4* '@7, :9 ,arch 2776)

(/nilab. Isip, 9@: SC4* 6=6, 28 ;une 27761 .eople . +rancisco, '8= SC4* 6@<, 22 *ugust 2772) -ache and Co., (.hil.) Inc. . 4uiz, '= SC4* 82', 2= +ebruar! :<=:1 Colu#bia pictures ersus court of *ppeals, 2@2 SC4* 2:<, 27 Septe#ber :<<@1 /! . -I4, '96 SC4* '@, 27 October 2777)

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e+en an un(easonable sea(#) in any *a(ti#ula( #ase is *u(ely a Audi#ial 1uestion, dete(.inable (o. a #onside(ation o t)e #i(#u.stan#es in+ol+ed. $> In t)e ollo"ing instan#es, t)e sea(#) is (easonable e+en "it)out a "a((ant, &1' &$' &%' &0' sea(#) in#ident to a la" ul a((est: sea(#) o a .o+ing .oto( +e)i#le: sea(#) in +iolation o #usto.s la"s: sei/u(e o e+iden#e in *lain +ie":

&@' sea(#) ")en t)e a##used )i.sel "ai+es )is (ig)t against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es &#onsented sea(#)': &>' sto* and (is= &2e((y sea(#)': and sea(#) a(ising (o. exigent and e.e(gen#y #i(#u.stan#es.$9

&9'

Other 5arrantless searches that are reasonable an& /ali&

In .eople . *gula! $8, t)e Su*(e.e Cou(t enu.e(ated ot)e( instan#es o +alid "a((antless sea(#)es, s*e#i i#ally, F sea(#)es o +essels and ai(#(a t o( +iolation o i..ig(ation, #usto.s and d(ug la"s: F sea(#)es o auto.obiles at bo(de(s o( #onst(u#ti+e bo(de(s: and F sea(#)es o buildings and *(e.ises to en o(#e i(e, sanita(y, and building (egulations.

26

.eople . Chua ?o San, '78 SC4* 9'2, := ;une :<<< .eople . Tudtud, 9:2 SC4* 92=, 2@ Septe#ber 277@1 Epie . /latE,arredo, 6:8 SC4* @9:, 22 ,arch 277=1 .eople . Sarap '<< SC4* 67', ,arch 2@, 277'1 .eople . Nue as, 6:@ SC4* 9@', 22 +ebruar! 277=1 .eople . 3aldez, '79 SC4* :97, 7' ,arch :<<< 28 2@ Septe#ber 2778
$9

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In .eople . ;ohnston, t)e Su*(e.e Cou(t also )eld +alid a "a((antless search *ursuant to routine air*ort securit( *roce&ure+ ")i#) is aut)o(i/ed unde( Se#tion 7 o 6e*ubli# A#t Bo. >$%@. $7 Unde( Section @ of Co##onwealth *ct @:' or the .hilippine I##igration *ct as a#ended, i..ig(ation ins*e#to(s a(e e.*o"e(ed to go aboa(d and sea(#) o( aliens on any +essel o( ot)e( #on+eyan#e in ")i#) t)ey belie+e aliens a(e being b(oug)t into t)e P)ili**ines.

#ALID 4ARRANTLESS SEAR! ES & SEI"URES: A !LOSER LOO9 :.; Search inci&ent to a la5)ul arrest
Pur"ose of search A *e(son la" ully a((ested .ay be sea(#)ed o( dange(ous "ea*ons o( anyt)ing ")i#) .ay )a+e been used o( #onstitute *(oo in t)e #o..ission o an o ense "it)out a sea(#) "a((ant. %? !here must first be a valid arrest before a search 2)e la" (e1ui(es t)at t)e(e i(st be a +alid a((est be o(e a sea(#) #an be .adeE t)e *(o#ess #annot be (e+e(sed. %1

#imits to the sco"e of search incidental to a lawful arrest As to A(ea, I..ediate Cont(ol 2est 2)e sei/u(e o e+iden#e o( dange(ous "ea*ons .ust be eit)e( on t)e *e(son o t)e one a((ested o( "it)in t)e a(ea o )is ;i..ediate #ont(ol.< 2)e *)(ase ;"it)in t)e a(ea o )is i..ediate #ont(ol< .eans t)e a(ea (o. "it)in ")i#) )e .ig)t gain *ossession o a "ea*on o( dest(u#tible e+iden#e. %$ S)ould be li.ited to t)e a(ea "it)in ")i#) t)e *e(son to be a((ested #an (ea#) o( a "ea*on o( o( e+iden#e t)at )e o( s)e #an dest(oy. %% As to SubAe#t As to subAe#t, t)e sea(#) .ust only be "it) (es*e#t to t)e *e(son o t)e sus*e#t, and t)ings t)at .ay be sei/ed (o. )i. a(e li.ited to 4dange(ous "ea*ons4 o( 4anyt)ing ")i#) .ay be used as *(oo o t)e #o..ission o t)e o ense.4 %0
$7
30

.eople . ;ohnston '98 SC4* 62@1 .eople . ,acalaba 27 ;anuar! 277' Section :2, 4ule :2@ of the 4e ised 4ules of Cri#inal .rocedure1 .eople . Che Chun Ting, '28 SC4* 6<2, 2: ,arch 2777 %1 .eople . -inad S! Chua, '<@ SC4* @6=, 79 +ebruar! 277'1 .eople . ,olina, '62 SC4* :=9, :< +ebruar! 277: %$ 3aleroso . Court of *ppeals, ' Septe#ber 277<, F.4. No. :@98:1 .eople . Cubcubin, '@7 SC4* @<7, :7 ;ul! 277: %% .eople . Estella, '<6 SC4* 66', 2: ;anuar! 277' 34 .eople . Che Chun Ting, '28 SC4* 6<2, 2: ,arch 2777

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A gun on a table o( in a d(a"e( in (ont o one ")o is a((ested #an be as dange(ous to t)e a((esting o i#e( as one #on#ealed in t)e #lot)ing o t)e *e(son a((ested.
%@

As to 2i.e 2)e sea(#) .ust be #onte.*o(aneous "it) t)e la" ul a((est. 2)e sea(#) .ust be #ondu#ted at about t)e ti.e o t)e a((est o( i..ediately t)e(ea te( and only at t)e *la#e ")e(e t)e sus*e#t "as a((ested, o( t)e *(e.ises o( su((oundings unde( )is i..ediate #ont(ol. %>

:1; Search o) a 'o/ing 'otor /ehicle

#imited car ins"ection: $alid even without "robable cause 6outine ins*e#tions o .oto( +e)i#les a(e ;no(.ally *e(.issible< in t)e ollo"ing instan#es, &1' ")e(e t)e o i#e( .e(ely d(a"s aside t)e #u(tain o a +a#ant +e)i#le ")i#) is *a(=ed on t)e *ubli# ai( g(ound: &$' si.*ly loo=s into a +e)i#le: &%' las)es a lig)t t)e(ein "it)out o*ening t)e #a(3s doo(s: &0' ")e(e t)e o##u*ants a(e not subAe#ted to a *)ysi#al o( body sea(#): &@' ")e(e t)e ins*e#tion o t)e +e)i#les is li.ited to a +isual sea(#) o( +isual ins*e#tion: and &>' ")e(e t)e (outine #)e#= is #ondu#ted in a ixed a(ea.%9 $isual search: Probable cause not required 5)en t)e(e is no *(obable #ause, *ea#e o i#e(s a(e li.ited to (outine #)e#=s ")e(e t)e exa.ination o t)e +e)i#le is li.ited to +isual ins*e#tion. %8 %&tensive search: Probable cause required 5)en a +e)i#le is sto**ed and subAe#ted to an extensi+e sea(#), su#) "ould be #onstitutionally *e(.issible only i t)e o i#e(s .ade it u*on *(obable #ause, i.e., u*on a belie , (easonably a(ising out o #i(#u.stan#es =no"n to t)e sei/ing o i#e(, t)at an auto.obile o( ot)e( +e)i#le #ontains as ite., a(ti#le o( obAe#t ")i#) by la" is subAe#t to sei/u(e and dest(u#tion, %7 o( inst(u.entality o( e+iden#e *e(taining to a #(i.e, in t)e +e)i#le to be sea(#)ed. 0? %&tensive search must be done only when it is not "racticable to secure a warrant 5a((antless sea(#) o a .o+ing +e)i#le is allo"ed only ")en it is not *(a#ti#able to se#u(e a "a((ant be#ause t)e +e)i#le #an be 1ui#=ly .o+ed out o t)e a(ea o( Au(isdi#tion in ")i#) t)e "a((ant .ust be soug)t. 01 Search of moving vehicle "rinci"le a""lies to fishing vessels and boats Sea(#) and sei/u(e "it)out sea(#) "a((ant o +essels and ai(#(a ts o( +iolations o #usto.s la"s )a+e been t)e t(aditional ex#e*tion to t)e #onstitutional (e1ui(e.ent o a sea(#) "a((ant. It is (ooted on t)e (e#ognition t)at a +essel and an ai(#(a t, li=e .oto( +e)i#les, #an be 1ui#=ly .o+ed out o t)e lo#ality o( Au(isdi#tion in ")i#) t)e sea(#)
%@

3aleroso

. Court of *ppeals, ' Septe#ber 277<, F.4. No. :@98:1 .eople

. Estella, '<6 SC4* 66', 2:

;anuar! 277' 36 .eople . Che Chun Ting, '28 SC4* 6<2, 2: ,arch 2777 37 Caballes . Court of *ppeals, :6 ;anuar! 2772 38 .eople . 2ibnao, '26 SC4* 97=, 27 ;anuar! 277' 39 .eople . 2ibnao, '26 SC4* 97=, 27 ;anuar! 277' 40 .eople . 2apita$e, '<2 SC4* @=9, :< +ebruar! 277' 41 .eople . 2apita$e, '<2 SC4* @=9, :< +ebruar! 277'

P a g e | 1?
"a((ant .ust be soug)t and se#u(ed. 2)e sa.e ex#e*tion oug)t to a**ly to sei/u(es o is)ing +essels and boats b(ea#)ing is)e(y la"s. 0$

:<; Search in /iolation o) custo's la5s

En o(#e(s o #usto.s and ta(i la"s a(e aut)o(i/ed to e e#t sea(#)es, sei/u(es, and a((ests, and to .a=e sei/u(e, a.ong ot)e(s, o any #a(go, a(ti#les o( ot)e( .o+able *(o*e(ty ")en t)e sa.e .ay be subAe#t to o( eitu(e o( liable o( any ine i.*osed unde( #usto.s and ta(i la"s. 2)ey #ould la" ully o*en and exa.ine any box, t(un=, en+elo*e o( ot)e( #ontaine( 5here/er )oun& ")en )e )ad reasonable cause to sus*ect t)e *(esen#e t)e(ein o dutiable a(ti#les int(odu#ed into t)e P)ili**ines #ont(a(y to la": and li=e"ise to sto*, sea(#) and exa.ine any +e)i#le, beast o( *e(son reasonabl( sus*ecte& o) hol&ing or con/e(ing such a(ti#les. Based on Se#tion $$?% o t)e 2a(i and Custo.s Code, ex#e*t in t)e #ase o t)e sea(#) o a d"elling )ouse, *e(sons exe(#ising *oli#e aut)o(ity unde( t)e #usto.s la" .ay e e#t sea(#) and sei/u(e "it)out a sea(#) "a((ant in t)e en o(#e.ent o #usto.s la"s. 0% (e#phases supplied)

:=; Seizure o) e/i&ence in *lain /ie5 :2*lain /ie5 &octrine3;

Unde( t)e *lain +ie" do#t(ine, obAe#ts ailing in *lain +ie" o an o i#e( ")o )as a (ig)t to be in t)at *osition to )a+e t)at +ie" a(e subAe#t to sei/u(e e+en "it)out a sea(#) "a((ant and .ay be int(odu#ed in e+iden#e. 00

%lements of a valid sei ure of evidence in "lain view &a' A *(io( +alid int(usion in ")i#) t)e *oli#e a(e legally *(esent in t)e *u(suit o t)ei( o i#ial duties: &b' 2)e e+iden#e "as inad+e(tently dis#o+e(ed by t)e *oli#e ")o )a+e t)e (ig)t to be ")e(e t)ey a(e: &#' 2)e e+iden#e .ust be i..ediately a**a(ent: &d' ;Plain +ie"< Austi ied .e(e sei/u(e o e+iden#e "it)out u(t)e( sea(#). 0@ %vidence in "lain view may be sei ed' although not described in the search warrant () *eaning of +immediately a""arent, *t the ti#e of the disco er! of the ob$ect or facts or at the #o#ent of seizure, the officer has probable cause to connect the ob$ect to cri#inal acti it!. 09
42

?izon . C*, 2@6 SC4* 6:=, :' 0ece#ber :<<@ .apa . ,ago, 22 SC4* 26=, 28 +ebruar! :<@81 see also Sal ador , .eople, 9@' SC4* 98<, :6 ;ul! 2776
0%
44

*belita . 0oria, :9 *ugust 277<1 .eople . 0oria, '7: SC4* @@8,22 ;anuar! :<<<1 .eople . 2ag#an, 6=' SC4* 226, 78 0ece#ber 2778 45 .eople . Nue as, 6=@ SC4* 9@'1 22 +ebruar! 277=1 .eople . Co#pacion, '@: SC4* 697, 27 ;ul! 277: 46 /nilab . Isip, 9@: SC4* 6=6, 28 ;une 2776 09 /nilab . Isip, 9@: SC4* 6=6, 28 ;une 2776

P a g e | 11

*eaning of ,inadvertence, The officer #ust not ha e Dnown in ad ance of the location of the e idence and intend to seize it. 0isco er! is not anticipated. 08

:>; Search 5hen the accuse& hi'sel) 5ai/es his right against unreasonable searches an& seizures :2consente& search3;
2)e (ig)t against un(easonable sea(#)es and sei/u(es is a *e(sonal (ig)t ")i#) .ay be "ai+ed ex*(essly o( i.*liedly. 07 -onsent must be unequivocal' s"ecific and intelligently given 2)e #onsent to t)e sea(#) .ust be +olunta(y, une1ui+o#al, s*e#i i#, and intelligently gi+en, un#onta.inated by any du(ess o( #oe(#ion. 2)e #onsent to a sea(#) .ust be s)o"n by #lea( and #on+in#ing e+iden#e. @? Requisites for a valid waiver In #ase o #onsented sea(#)es o( "ai+e( o t)e #onstitutional gua(antee against obt(usi+e sea(#)es, it .ust i(st a**ea( t)at &1' t)e (ig)t exists: &$' t)e *e(son in+ol+ed )ad =no"ledge, eit)e( a#tual o( #onst(u#ti+e, o t)e existen#e o su#) (ig)t: and &%' t)e said *e(son )ad an a#tual intention to (elin1uis) t)e (ig)t. @1 Peaceful submission is not consent Pea#e ul sub.ission to a sea(#) o( sei/u(e is not a #onsent o( an in+itation t)e(eto, but is .e(ely a de.onst(ation o (ega(d o( t)e su*(e.a#y o t)e la". @$ 2)e a##used is not to be *(esu.ed to )a+e "ai+ed t)e unla" ul sea(#) ;si.*ly be#ause )e ailed to obAe#t.< @% !he "resum"tion is against waiver of constitutional right.
@0

:?; Sto* an& )ris@ :2Terr( search3;

Sco"e !i.ited *(ote#ti+e sea(#) o oute( #lot)ing o( "ea*ons.
@@

/hen sto" and frisk is valid 5)e(e a *oli#e o i#e( obse(+es unusual #ondu#t ")i#) leads )i. (easonably to #on#lude in lig)t o )is ex*e(ien#e t)at #(i.inal a#ti+ity .ay be a oot and t)at t)e *e(sons "it) ")o. )e is dealing .ay be a(.ed and dange(ous, ")e(e in t)e #ou(se o in+estigating t)is be)a+io( )e identi ies )i.sel as a *oli#e.an and .a=es (easonable
48 49

/nilab . Isip, 9@: SC4* 6=6, 28 ;une 2776 .eople . Cubcubin, '@7 SC4* @<7, :7 ;ul! 277: 50 .eople . Nue as 22 +ebruar! 277=, 6=@ SC4* 9@' @1 .eople . Nue as, 6=@ SC4* 9@', 22 +ebruar! 277= 52 .eople . Nue as, 6=@ SC4* 9@', 22 +ebruar! 277=1 .eople . Co#npacion, '@: SC4* 697, 27 ;ul! 277< @% .eople . -urgos, :99 SC4* :1 .eople . Co#pacion, '@: SC4* 697, 27 ;ul! 277: 54 .eople . -urgos :99 SC4* :, :<8@1 .eople . Co#pacion, '@: SC4* 697, 27 ;ul! 277:1 .eople . *ruta 288 SC4* @2@ @@ .eople . -inad S! Chua, '<@ SC4* @6=, 79 +ebruar! 277'1 ,alacat . .eople, 28' SC4* :6<, :2 0ece#ber :<<=

P a g e | 1$
in1ui(ies, and ")e(e not)ing in t)e initial stages o t)e en#ounte( se(+es to dis*el )is (easonable ea( o( )is o"n o( ot)e(sD sa ety, )e is entitled o( t)e *(ote#tion o )i.sel and ot)e(s in t)e a(ea to #ondu#t a #a(e ully li.ited sea(#) o t)e oute( #lot)ing o su#) *e(sons in an atte.*t to dis#o+e( "ea*ons ")i#) .ig)t be used to assault )i.. @> *ere sus"icion is not enough for a +sto"0and0frisk,1 there must be +genuine reason, to believe that the "erson has a concealed wea"on Me(e sus*i#ion o( a )un#) "ill not +alidate a ;sto*FandF (is=<. A genuine (eason .ust exist, in lig)t o t)e *oli#e o i#e(Ds ex*e(ien#e and su((ounding #onditions, to "a((ant t)e belie t)at t)e *e(son detained )as "ea*ons #on#ealed about )i.. @9

:A; Search arising )ro' eBigent an& e'ergenc( circu'stances

In .eople . 0e Fracia (2'' SC4* =:@, A:<<9B), t)e(e "e(e intelligen#e (e*o(ts t)at t)e building "as being used as )ead1ua(te(s by t)e 6AM du(ing a coup dGetat. A su(+eillan#e tea. "as i(ed at by a g(ou* o a(.ed .en #o.ing out o t)e building and t)e o##u*ants o said building (e used to o*en t)e doo( des*ite (e*eated (e1uests. 2)e(e "e(e la(ge 1uantities o ex*losi+es and a..unitions inside t)e building. Bea(by #ou(ts "e(e #losed and gene(al #)aos and diso(de( *(e+ailed. 2)e existing #i(#u.stan#es su i#iently s)o"ed t)at a #(i.e "as being #o..itted. In s)o(t, t)e(e "as *(obable #ause to e e#t a "a((antless sea(#) o t)e building. @8

%robable cause: The basic re-uire'ent in all 5arrantless searches

In .eople *ruta ' *pril :<<8, t)e Su*(e.e Cou(t de#la(ed t)at t)e essential (e1uisite o *(obable #ause .ust still be satis ied be o(e a "a((antless sea(#) and sei/u(e #an be la" ully #ondu#ted. In sea(#)es and sei/u(es e e#ted "it)out a "a((ant, it is ne#essa(y o( *(obable #ause to be *(esent.

I#. 4 AT ARE T E LEGAL !ONSECUEN!ES OD AN UNLA4DUL SEAR! OR SEI"URE$

.. The eBclusionar( rule a**lies: ina&'issible )or an( *ur*ose in an( *rocee&ing. E/i&ence obtaine& is

I a sea(#) o( sei/u(e is ;un(easonable,< any e+iden#e obtained t)e(e (o.

56

.eople . -inad S! Chua, '<@ SC4* @6=, 79 +ebruar! 277'1 ,alacat . .eople, 28' SC4* :6<, :2 0ece#ber :<<= 57 .eople . -inad S! Chua, '<@ SC4* @6=, 79 +ebruar! 277'1 ,alacat . .eople, 28' SC4* :6<, :2 0ece#ber :<<= 58 also cited in .eople . *ruta, 288 SC4* @2@, 7' *pril :<<8

P a g e | 1% is ;inad.issible o( any *u(*ose in any *(o#eeding.<

@7

!hus' evidence obtained during an illegal search or sei ure . . . 2a3 is inadmissible to "rove the guilt of the accused. 2b3 cannot be used to legally obtain other evidence.
E+iden#e obtained (o.Gas a (esult o e+iden#e obtained in an illegal sea(#) "ould also be inad.issible o( being ; (uit o t)e *oisonous t(ee.< Unde(, t)e ex#lusiona(y (ule =no"n as t)e 4 (uit o t)e *oisonous t(ee,4 on#e t)e *(i.a(y sou(#e &t)e 4t(ee4' is s)o"n to )a+e been unla" ully obtained, any se#onda(y o( de(i+ati+e e+iden#e &t)e 4 (uit4' de(i+ed (o. it is also inad.issible. 2)e (ule is based on t)e *(in#i*le t)at e+iden#e illegally obtained by t)e State s)ould not be used to gain ot)e( e+iden#e be#ause t)e o(iginally illegally obtained e+iden#e taints all e+iden#e subse1uently obtained.>1
>?

2c3

cannot be used to justify a subsequent warrantless arrest.

>$

1. E/en i) the search 5as unla5)ul+ an& the e/i&ence obtaine& 5as eBclu&e&+ the court 'a( still con/ict the accuse& on the basis o) other *ieces o) a&'issible e/i&ence. >%
2)us, in .eople . Che Chun Ting, @9 t)e Su*(e.e Cou(t de#la(ed t)at t)e sea(#) in t)e #ondo.iniu. unit o t)e a##used "as illegal &t)e a(ea "as not "it)in t)e i..ediate #ont(ol o t)e a##used at t)e ti.e o t)e a((est', and t)e shabu sei/ed t)e(ein "as inad.issible as e+iden#e. -o"e+e(, t)e Su*(e.e Cou(t u*)eld t)e #on+i#tion o t)e a##used on t)e basis o e+iden#e #onsisting o , a.ong ot)e(s, shabu ")i#) "as ound in bag o t)e a##used at t)e ti.e t)e *oli#e a((ested )i. in flagrante delicto in a buyFbust o*e(ation. >@

<.
59

I) the ite's seize& in an illegal search are contraban& or

Sections 2, and ' A2B, *rt. III, :<8= Constitution1 .eople . Nue as, 6=@ SC4* 9@', 22 +ebruar! 277=1 See also .eople . Che Chun Ting, '28 SC4* 6<2, 2: ,arch 27771 .eople . Sarap, '<< SC4* 67', 2@ ,arch 277'1 .eople . -angcarawan, '89 SC4* 626, :: ;ul! 2772
>?

See .eople . Sarap, '<< SC4* 67', 2@ ,arch 277'1 .eople . +rancisco, '8= SC4* 6<2, 22 *ugust 27721 .eople . 3aldez, '9: SC4* 26', 26 Septe#ber 27771 .eople . *sis, '<: SC4* :78, :6 October 2772
61

.eople . *licando '2: .hil @6@, :2 0ece#ber :<<61 .eople . 0o#anta! '7= SC4* :, 7< ,a! :<<<1 .eople . Conde, '6@ SC4* 9:6, :7 *pril 277:
62 63

See .eople . Sarap, '<< SC4* 67', 2@ ,arch 277'

See .eople . Che Chun Ting, '28 SC4* 6<2, 2: ,arch 2777 and .eople . 4ondero, '27 SC4* '8', 7< 0ece#ber :<<< 64 2: ,arch 2777
>@

See also .eople . 4ondero 7< 0ece#ber :<<<)

P a g e | 10 *rohibite& b( la5+ the sa'e cannot be returne& to the o5ner.

>>

-o"e+e(, obAe#ts and *(o*e(ties t)e *ossession o ")i#) is *(o)ibited by la" #annot be (etu(ned to t)ei( o"ne(s not"it)standing t)e illegality o t)ei( sei/u(e. >9

=. I) the ite's seize& in an illegal search are not contraban&+ the sa'e shoul& be returne& to the o5ner. >8
Sei/ed ite.s t)at a(e *(odu#ts o an illegal sea(#), and a(e not #ont(aband per se, no( obAe#ts in #onne#tion "it) t)e o ense, s)ould be (etu(ned to t)e *e(son (o. ")o. t)e sa.e "e(e ta=en. >7

66

Castro . .abalan, =7 SC4* 9==, '7 *pril :<=@1 .eople . Che Chun Ting, '28 SC4* 6<2, 2: ,arch 2777 67 .eople . Che Chun Ting 2: ,arch 2777 68 See -ache and Co., (.hil.) Inc. . 4uiz, '= SC4* 82', 2= +ebruar! :<=:1 -urgos . Chief of Staff, :'' SC4* 877, 2@ 0ece#ber :<891 Nala . -arroso, 978 SC4* 62<, 7= *ugust 277' 69 See Nala . -arroso 7= *ugust 277'