The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday continue the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing on Article I of the Articles of Impeachment concerning the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
For the 20th day of the proceedings, the House prosecution team was set to present Armed Forces of the Philippines officials Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing II and Col. Magtanggol Panopio as witnesses.
Their expected testimonies formed part of the prosecution’s efforts to establish its allegations involving the use of confidential funds during Duterte’s tenure as vice president.
Trial begins
The 20th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial begins with 15 senator-judges in attendance.
Senator-judge Juan Miguel Zubiri led the opening prayer, expressing hope that the proceedings would not cause division among Filipinos. The Senate impeachment court then proceeded with the continuation of the trial.
Article I presentation resumes in VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial
House private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles formally resumed the presentation of Article I of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, concerning allegations of misuse of confidential funds.
Col. Manaros Boransing II takes oath as witness
AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II took his oath as a witness before the Senate impeachment court.
He was set to testify that an annual military event did not receive reward money or financial assistance from the Department of Education (DepEd).
The event was among the military activities cited by the agency in explaining its use of confidential funds.
Prosecutor presents Boransing’s offer of testimony
House private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles presented the “offer of testimony” of retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II regarding the Philippine Army certification allegedly used to support ₱15.54 million in reward payments from DepEd confidential funds.
Defense counsel Atty. Lindon Bacquel questioned the testimony, arguing that its purpose involved conclusions without factual or legal basis.
Direct examination of Boransing begins
House private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles began the direct examination of retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II.
Boransing served as a witness in connection with Article I of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Boransing details Philippine Army activities
Retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II said during direct examination that the certification he signed on January 1, 2024, confirmed the Philippine Army’s Youth Leadership Summit and Information Education Campaign activities conducted in 2023.
He testified that these activities were regular programs of the Philippine Army.
Boransing said the Army conducted eight Youth Leadership Summit activities and 53 Information Education Campaign activities that year.
No DepEd, OVP funds released for 2023 Army activities
Retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II testified that no funds from the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Office of the Vice President (OVP) were released to the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division for its 2023 Youth Leadership Summit and Information Education Campaign activities.
Prosecution also presented portions of a House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing where the conduct of the Youth Leadership Summit was discussed.
