MANILA, Philippines — An Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officer is set to testify Tuesday on the use of Department of Education (DepEd) confidential funds as Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial enters its ninth week.
The House prosecution panel will present AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II, who is expected to testify on whether the military received financial assistance or monetary rewards from DepEd for its annual Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
The testimony comes after the Commission on Audit questioned DepEd’s use of P112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023. DepEd submitted certifications from military officers to support its explanation of the expenditures.
During a 2024 House committee hearing on DepEd’s confidential funds, however, military officers testified that their units did not receive intelligence funds from the department for the annual summit.
Boransing testified during that hearing that the military officers would not have issued the YLS certification had they known DepEd would use it to justify its confidential fund expenditures.
The prosecution is expected to revisit Boransing’s earlier testimony as it presents evidence on the disputed DepEd funds.
AFP Col. Magtangol Panopio is scheduled to testify after Boransing. Panopio also appeared during the House inquiry into DepEd’s confidential funds in 2024.
Prosecutors expect Panopio to corroborate Boransing’s testimony concerning the military certifications.
The House prosecution panel previously sought the testimony of three AFP officials in connection with its investigation into Duterte’s use of confidential funds.