Photocopies of original documents allowed as evidence, Supreme Court says
Photocopies of original documents can be used as evidence in court, as long as there’s no doubt about the authenticity of the original or unfairness in using the copy. The Supreme Court recently affirmed this rule, stressing its practical use in modern legal cases.
Under Rule 130, Section 4(c) of the 2019 Revised Rules on Evidence, which took effect in 2020, a duplicate document is treated as the original unless there’s a genuine question about the original’s authenticity or if using the copy would be unfair.
Scope of photocopies of original documents allowed as evidence
This rule applies whether the documents are on paper or in electronic form. The Court highlighted that in today’s world, duplicates often look identical to originals and are easier to access and store.
“This approach reflects the practical realities of document usage and storage in the modern world, where duplicates are often indistinguishable from originals and can be more accessible,” the Court explained, citing relevant international guidelines.
Case example: Photocopies of original documents allowed as evidence in murder conviction
The Supreme Court made this statement while upholding the murder conviction of a man in Cebu City. Witnesses said he shot the victim in the head outside a cockpit arena. The victim’s wife testified that her husband was already dead when she saw him at the hospital.
The prosecution presented a photocopy of the victim’s death certificate indicating death by gunshot wounds. The accused argued that since the original death certificate wasn’t presented, the photocopy should not have been admitted as evidence.
How photocopies of original documents allowed as evidence helped prove the case
The Supreme Court responded that although photocopies can be admitted, their value depends on how well they support other evidence. In this case, the copy of the death certificate, along with eyewitness testimonies including the victim’s wife, was enough to show that the victim died from gunshot wounds and that the accused was responsible.
Ultimately, the Court confirmed the conviction for murder, emphasizing the balanced use of photocopies of original documents allowed as evidence in court proceedings.