Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Col. Manaros Boransing II took the witness stand before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, September 1, as the prosecution continued presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Boransing is expected to testify about the military activities cited by the Department of Education (DepEd) in accounting for its use of confidential funds in 2023.
House private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles said Boransing would provide testimony regarding activities conducted by the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, including eight Youth Leadership Summits and 53 Information Education Campaign activities held in 2023.
According to the prosecution, the military activities were among those referenced by DepEd in explaining the utilization of its confidential funds. However, Boransing is expected to testify that the activities did not receive confidential-fund support, reward money, or financial assistance from DepEd.
The AFP officer formally took his oath before the Senate impeachment court before facing questions from the prosecution regarding the activities and whether the military unit received any funding from the education department.
Boransing’s testimony is expected to form part of the prosecution’s effort to establish whether DepEd’s reported use of confidential funds was properly supported by the activities and expenses cited by the agency.
The testimony comes as the impeachment court continues deliberations on Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which includes allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds during Duterte’s tenure as vice president and education secretary.
