Tovic Salvador

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Supreme Court ruled that items seized during a lawful warrantless search may still be admitted as evidence, even if they were not in plain view of the arresting officers.In a decision promulgated on October 15, 2025, the 1st Division upheld the conviction of an individual for illegal possession of dangerous drugs.The case stemmed from a buy-bust operation which yielded a sachet of shabu worth P500 from the accused.However, a police officer conducted a body search on the accused and found three more sachets, as well as cellphone, screwdriver, etc.The accused argued that the additional sachets should not be admitted as evidence because they were not in plain view of the police officers when seized during the arrest.The SC, however, rejected the accused’s argument and upheld the conviction.The court stressed that compliance with the plain view doctrine is not always required to justify a warrantless search and seizure.“This is especially true if the search is limited to the person of the accused, where the seized items are usually hidden,” the court said in the decision penned by Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario.The court further stated that in Ridon vs. People, a warrantless search and seizure incident to a lawful arrest is valid when the accused was lawfully arrested, the arresting officers subsequently made a warrantless search, the search is limited to the person of the accused and the search was performed at the place of the arrest.“Warrantless search incident to a lawful arrest and seizure of evidence in plain view are instances of valid warrantless searches and seizures,” the court said.

The Supreme Court ruled that items seized during a lawful warrantless search may still be admitted as evidence even if they were not in plain view of the arresting officers.

The Supreme Court ruled that items seized during a lawful warrantless search may still be admitted as evidence even if they were not in plain view of the arresting officers.

SC: Items from warrantless search admissible, even if not in plain view

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SC: Items from warrantless search admissible, even if not in plain view

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 25, 2026 05:01 PM PHT

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Supreme Court

warrantless arrest

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