Practice question
A printout is shown to reflect stored electronic data accurately. Must it always be treated merely as secondary evidence requiring proof that a paper original was lost?
- Yes, computer outputs can never be originals.
- No; the applicable rules recognize an accurate readable output as an original or its equivalent for the original-document inquiry.
- Yes, regardless of accuracy.
- No; accuracy dispenses with all authentication and hearsay requirements.
- Yes, unless every party owns the same printer.
Legal references
- https://lawphil.net/courts/supreme/am/am_01-7-01_sc_2001.html — Rules on Electronic Evidence, Rules 3–7 and 11: admissibility, authentication, accurate outputs, signatures and ephemeral communications.
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/mar2014/gr_204894_2014.html — People v. Enojas, G.R. 204894, March 10, 2014, main opinion and notes 15–16: September 24, 2002 expansion to criminal cases and ephemeral communications.
- https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/am_19-08-15-sc_2019.html — Rule 130 section 4: accurate readable computer outputs and duplicates.
Answer this question in flashcards to review your response and continue practicing.