AFP Col. Magtanggol Panopio took the witness stand during the 20th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, September 1, and testified that a certification he issued regarding Youth Leadership Summits was not intended to document any government spending.
House prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles said Panopio’s December 5, 2023 certification was used by the Department of Education (DepEd) as part of the documents submitted to liquidate ₱15.54 million in confidential funds.
Panopio, however, said he only learned that his certification had been used for this purpose during a House of Representatives hearing on October 17, 2024.
Asked about his reaction to the use of the document, Panopio said he was surprised because the certification only covered the conduct of the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS).
“Medyo nagulat po kami kasi ’yung aming certification is only for the certification that we conducted the Youth Leadership Summit. Hindi po namin sine-certify anything about money or funds, Your Honor,” Panopio said.
Panopio emphasized that the certification did not attest to the amount of money spent by DepEd or certify the use of confidential funds for the military activities.
His testimony comes after another AFP officer, Col. Manaros Boransing II, likewise testified that a certification concerning Philippine Army activities contained no mention of DepEd funds.
The prosecution is presenting the military officers as part of its effort to examine DepEd documents cited in the liquidation of confidential funds during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
