The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that photocopies or duplicates—whether paper-based or electronic—can be accepted as evidence in court, provided there is no valid question about the authenticity of the original or the fairness in using the copy.
In a decision written by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the SC’s First Division cited Rule 130, Section 4(c) of the 2019 Revised Rules on Evidence, stating that a duplicate is admissible unless its authenticity is challenged or its use would be unfair.
“This approach reflects the practical realities of modern document usage and storage, where duplicates are often indistinguishable from originals and more accessible,” the Court said.
The ruling clarifies that both electronic and physical copies are treated equally under the rule, and a photocopy falls under the definition of a duplicate.
However, the Court emphasized that while such copies may be admissible, their evidentiary weight still depends on how well they support or align with other presented evidence.
